Nitrification from the lower euphotic zone to the sub-oxic waters of a highly productive British Columbia fjord

Abstract

Nitrification rates were measured monthly from April to October 2008, at depths ranging from the lower euphotic zone to the sub-oxic waters of Saanich Inlet. Ammonium (NH 4 +) and nitrite (NO 2 −) oxidation rates ranged from undetectable to 0.319 and 0.478 μmol L − 1 d − 1 , respectively. NH 4 + oxidation rates and concentrations were positively correlated at substrate concentrations less than 0.8 μmol NH 4 + L − 1 . Positive correlations between NH 4 + oxidation rates, NO 2 − concentrations, and NO 2 − oxidation rates were also observed, highlighting the important role that NH 4 + oxidation plays in supporting NO 2 − oxidation in Saanich Inlet. Despite the apparent dependence of NO 2 − oxidation rates on NH 4 + oxidation rates, the former was still 44% higher than the latter and we concluded that Saanich Inlet NO 2 − oxidation rates were augmented by fortnightly spring-tide nutrient renewal. From May to October, sub-oxic zone waters were isolated from any significant mixing events, and we estimated that nitrification was responsible for approximately 25% of dissolved oxygen consumption. This estimate is in close agreement with that calculated using Redfield stoichiometry, and as such highlights the accuracy with which nitrification rates can be quantified using incubation techniques. Finally, nitrification rates in the euphotic zone were at times substantial, and we suggest that earlier estimates of new production in Saanich Inlet may have been overestimated by approximately 15%.