Abstract
AbstractZebra mussels might enhance denitrification rates by altering 3 primary controls: O2, NO3–, and labile C availability. We stocked mesocosms with stream sediments and either no zebra mussels (−ZM) or 10,000 mussels/m2 (+ZM) to examine these potential mechanisms. We measured sediment nitrification (nitrapyrin-inhibition technique), denitrification (chloramphenicol-amended acetylene block technique), sediment O2 profiles (microelectrodes), and a suite of water and sediment characteristics weekly for 3 wk. Nitrification (2-way analysis of variance [ANOVA], p < 0.001) and denitrification (2-way ANOVA, p < 0.001) rates were significantly higher in +ZM than in −ZM mesocosms. High-NH4+ waste from zebra mussels increased sediment nitrification rates, which increased NO3– availability for denitrification. Furthermore, coupled nitrification–denitrification was enhanced by a reduction in the sediment depth to anoxia in the presence of zebra mussels, and this reduction allowed both processes to occur in close ...
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