Nitrogen-cycling genes in oyster reefs and surrounding sediments: Relationships with environmental factors and respective nitrogen rates

Abstract

To investigate nitrogen (N) cycling in oyster reef habitats along the East coast of Australia, we assessed N-cycling gene abundances in oyster shell biofilms and surrounding sediments, and explored their correlation with environmental factors and respective N rates. We found higher abundances of the denitrification gene nosZII in oyster shell biofilms, while there were not significant differences in the denitrification genes nirS and nirK between oyster biofilms and sediments. Additionally, oyster shell biofilms had a lower (nirS + nirK)/nosZII ratio, indicating a greater capacity for N removal and limited nitrous oxide release compared to sediments. Abundance of nirS, nirK, and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (nrfA) genes in sediments decreased with increasing content of organic material, suggesting the influence of large-scale environmental conditions. N-cycling gene abundances did not relate to N rates, emphasising the importance of investigating microbial genes to enhance our understanding of the N cycle in oyster reef habitats.