Impact of bacterial NO3- transport on sediment biogeochemistry

Experiments demonstrated that Beggiatoa could induce a H2S-depleted suboxic zone of more than 10 mm in marine sediments and cause a divergence in sediment NO3- reduction from denitrification to dissimilatory NO3- reduction to ammonium. pH, O-2, and H2S profiles indicated that the bacteria oxidized H2S with NO3- and transported So to the sediment surface for aerobic oxidation.