Nitrogen In Seawater Research Articles

Seawater spray as a significant nitrogen source across coastal dune vegetation gradients

BackgroundNitrogen significantly influences plant performance and vegetation development in nutrient-poor ecosystems like coastal dunes. While various sources contribute nitrogen, including N2 fixation and marine inputs, the significance of seawater spray remains understudied. In this study, we aimed to assess the relevance of seawater spray as a source of nitrogen input and its potential role in plant community composition in dune ecosystems. MethodsThe δ15N, δ13C, N, and C content of leaves from the most abundant 21 species were measured in 6 positions across a beach inland gradient in a Mediterranean dune system in SW Spain. Soil samples at different depths were collected in each position and N, C, P, K, NH4+, NO3=, and organic matter were measured. Salt spray accumulation was determined on Achillea maritima leaves across the gradient. ResultsLeaf nitrogen content did not exhibit a beach-inland gradient, but δ15N decreased with distance from the sea. Species displayed three distinct N uptake strategies along the gradient: species from Upper Beach and Foredune communities showed high δ15N values, suggesting a marine origin; species distributed across the gradient exhibited decreasing δ15N patterns from the Upper Beach to the Inland, indicative of seawater spray influence; species farthest from the sea relied on non-marine nitrogen sources. ConclusionsThese results indicate the importance of seawater nitrogen income for the dune system vegetation and evidence that dune plant species exhibit varied N uptake strategies influenced by their position across the beach-inland gradient.

Testing combined effects of environmental trace metals/arsenic and marine trophic status on the bioaccumulation in Pacific oysters: Insights from 22-site field samplings

Pacific oysters were sampled from 22 human-impacted sites in northeastern Japan to measure Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, and As. The hazard quotient was slightly >1 for Cu and/or As at two sites, but <1 for all metal species and As at the other sites, indicating low human health risks. Oysters' Cu, Zn, and Pb contents were positively related to their concentrations in the sediment, while Cr and As were not. Oysters' Cu and Zn were negatively related to the inorganic nitrogen in seawater, while oysters' Pb and As showed positive relationships with the particulate organic carbon. These findings suggest that marine trophic status affects oysters' metal uptake differently among the metal species. Furthermore, oysters' Cr, Cu, Zn, and Pb contents were negatively related to their eicosapentaenoic acid content and condition index. Therefore, the nutritional conditions of oysters may influence their elimination or accumulation of these metals.

Does Seawater Nitrogen Better Predict the Baseline Farmed Yield for Sugar Kelp (Saccharina latissima) Rather than the Final Yield?

Does Seawater Nitrogen Better Predict the Baseline Farmed Yield for Sugar Kelp (Saccharina latissima) Rather than the Final Yield?

A simple method for the quantification of amidic bioavailable dissolved organic nitrogen in seawater

AbstractA targeted method for the quantification of bioavailable amide N found in marine DON (bDON) is presented. The method utilizes mild acid hydrolysis to convert amide N found in proteins and N‐acetyl amino polysaccharides to primary amine containing products that are measured using a highly sensitive (nanomolar range and precision) fluorometric technique with addition of O‐phthaldialdehyde. We find amidic bDON concentrations ranging from 0.08 to 1.82 μM N within waters from the upper 300 m in the southern California Current, Southern California Bight, and subtropical North Pacific representing 15–33% of bulk DON concentrations. Bioassay experiments from the North Pacific revealed consumption of ~20% of the in situ bDON within 5 days. The method represents a simple and rapid tool for the quantification of bioavailable DON concentrations in seawater with improved analytical precision over traditional estimates of bulk DON concentrations.

Nutrient depletion and heat stress impair the assimilation of nitrogen compounds in a scleractinian coral.

Concentrations of dissolved nitrogen in seawater can affect the resilience of the cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis to climate change-induced bleaching. However, it is not yet known how the assimilation and translocation of the various nitrogen forms change during heat stress, nor how the symbiosis responds to nutrient depletion, which may occur due to increasing water stratification. Here, the tropical scleractinian coral Stylophora pistillata, in symbiosis with dinoflagellates of the genus Symbiodinium, was grown at different temperatures (26°C, 30°C and 34°C), before being placed in nutrient-replete or -depleted seawater for 24 h. The corals were then incubated with 13C-labelled sodium bicarbonate and different 15N-labelled nitrogen forms (ammonium, urea and dissolved free amino acids) to determine their assimilation rates. We found that nutrient depletion inhibited the assimilation of all nitrogen sources studied and that heat stress reduced the assimilation of ammonium and dissolved free amino acids. However, the host assimilated over 3-fold more urea at 30°C relative to 26°C. Overall, both moderate heat stress (30°C) and nutrient depletion individually decreased the total nitrogen assimilated by the symbiont by 66%, and combined, they decreased assimilation by 79%. This led to the symbiotic algae becoming nitrogen starved, with the C:N ratio increasing by over 3-fold at 34°C, potentially exacerbating the impacts of coral bleaching.

Nitrogen cycle pattern variations during seawater-groundwater-river interactions enhance the nitrogen availability in the coastal earth critical zone

Hydrological interaction in highly vital and productive coastal earth critical zone (CECZ) significantly impacts the nitrogen cycle and availability, which is the essential foundation for agricultural production. The results of isotopes and microbial sequencing showed that nitrogen fixation and nitrite oxidation are enhanced in the palaeo-saltwater intrusion process. The weakening AmoCAB and Hao impedes the normal nitrogen cycling pathway, promoting the input of organic nitrogen, thus increasing nitrogen availability flux. In the river into the sea, nitrogen fixation is enhanced, while nitrite oxidation, denitrification, and DNRA are weakened. The whole intensity of the nitrogen cycle decreases. In addition, the oxidation of NH4-N to NO2-N in this process is inaccessible, which means that the nitrogen cycle flux is substantially reduced. In the river recharge to groundwater, nitrite oxidation, nitrogen fixation, and ammonia oxidation are enhanced. In the submarine groundwater discharge, the whole intensity of the nitrogen cycle gradually weakens and the nitrogen cycle flux greatly reduces. As the final pool of coastal groundwater and surface water, the significant reduction of the nitrogen cycle intensity and the absence of the pathway link allows nitrogen in seawater to flow out of the inorganic nitrogen cycle by the conversion to organic nitrogen, thus the net flux of nitrogen availability trapped in the hydrological systems increases. The hydrological interaction enhances the breadth of nitrogen sources, the diversity of pathways, and the flux of nitrogen in CECZ, thereby promoting more nitrogen being trapped in system and increasing nitrogen availability.

Determination of dissolved organic carbon and total dissolved nitrogen in seawater using High Temperature Combustion Analysis

This document describes best practices for analysis of dissolved organic matter (dissolved organic carbon and total dissolved nitrogen) in seawater samples. Included are SOPs for sample collection and storage, details for laboratory analysis using high temperature combustion analysis on Shimadzu TOC analyzers, and suggestions for best practices in quality control and quality assurance. Although written specifically for GO-SHIP oceanographic community practices, many aspects of sample collection and processing are relevant to DOM determination across oceanic regimes and this document aims to provide updated methodology to the wider marine community.

Evaluation of Uncertainty in Determination of Total Nitrogen in Seawater by Continuous Flow Method

Evaluation of Uncertainty in Determination of Total Nitrogen in Seawater by Continuous Flow Method

Nitrogen isotope evidence for oxygenated upper ocean during the Cryogenian interglacial period

The Cryogenian interglacial period have witnessed dramatic changes in climate, oceanic environment and biological evolution. The nitrogen isotopic composition, as an important biogeochemical proxy, has the potential to track both the nutrient cycling and redox conditions in the past. However, nitrogen isotopic data during this interglacial time is rather limited. Here, we present integrated data for nitrogen isotopes (δ15N), as well as organic carbon isotopes (δ13Corg), iron (Fe) speciation, pyrite morphology and trace elements from the Cryogenian interglacial Datangpo Formation derived from a drill core from South China to figure out the nitrogen cycling and coeval redox states. The results reveal a gradual oxygenation bottom waters along with deepening O2-H2S chemocline from euxinic black shale in the lower unit (LU), to oxic siltstone in the upper unit (UU), which is consistent with the redox variation inferred in previous studies. Sedimentary δ15N values constantly remain positive (mean value> + 4‰) throughout the Datangpo Formation and display an increase from the LU to the UU. We interpreted the positive δ15N values in the LU as a result of denitrification related to the development of euxinic conditions. The further increase towards the UU associated with limited nutrient supply may indicate the existence of a stable nitrate reservoir in the upper water column, which was consistent with an increased oxygenation during the interglacial time. The elevated O2 levels and bioavailable nitrogen in seawater may have further contributed to the appearance of the earliest metazoan. In addition, our data lay good foundation for further global δ15N correlations among other interglacial successions.

On-line ammonia nitrogen measurement using generalized additive model and stochastic configuration networks

On-line measuring of ammonia nitrogen in seawater is essential to the intensive aquaculture process. Its concentration has an important effect on the growth and development of the breeding organisms. The popular Nessler's reagent method suffers from large time delays. It can only be applied off-line. To realize on-line measurement, we propose a hybrid soft measurement model for ammonia nitrogen. This new model combines mechanism analysis and data driven methods, the generalized additive model and stochastic configuration networks are used respectively. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed modelling techniques, an intensive aquaculture system is designed in laboratory to realize this soft measurement method. The accuracy of the test data performed in generalized additive model is 0.073, the accuracy after error compensation is 0.064. Compared with other methods, the stochastic configuration networks compensation model has the shortest running time which is 0.5 s. These experimental results show that the proposed hybrid method performs better than other existing data driven modeling methods, and this work will be the foundation for the practical application.

Coral Productivity Is Co-Limited by Bicarbonate and Ammonium Availability.

The nitrogen environment and nitrogen status of reef-building coral endosymbionts is one of the important factors determining the optimal assimilation of phototrophic carbon and hence the growth of the holobiont. However, the impact of inorganic nutrient availability on the photosynthesis and physiological state of the coral holobiont is partly understood. This study aimed to determine if photosynthesis of the endosymbionts associated with the coral Stylophora pistillata and the overall growth of the holobiont were limited by the availability of dissolved inorganic carbon and nitrogen in seawater. For this purpose, colonies were incubated in absence or presence of 4 µM ammonium and/or 6 mM bicarbonate. Photosynthetic performances, pigments content, endosymbionts density and growth rate of the coral colonies were monitored for 3 weeks. Positive effects were observed on coral physiology with the supplementation of one or the other nutrient, but the most important changes were observed when both nutrients were provided. The increased availability of DIC and NH4+ significantly improved the photosynthetic efficiency and capacity of endosymbionts, in turn enhancing the host calcification rate. Overall, these results suggest that in hospite symbionts are co-limited by nitrogen and carbon availability for an optimal photosynthesis.

Determination of total dissolved nitrogen in seawater based on Sequential Injection Analysis

In this paper, we established a sequential injection method to monitoring the concentration of total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) in seawater, which combined with an UV-thermal digestion. The sequential injection method consumes less reagents and less time, mixes more evenly than the flow injection method. TDN detection process mainly includes three parts: the digestion process of conversion organic nitrogen to nitrate, the reduction process of nitrate to nitrite, and the process of reaction between nitrite and chromogenic agent. The UV-thermal digestion that transforms dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) into nitrate has the highest digestion efficiency. The nitrate reduction process with a UV lamp is considered a greener choice which avoids the toxic substance and complicated operation of cadmium column reduction. We analyzed the optimal concentrations of all the reagents used in the experiment with the univariate experimental design. The reaction conditions were optimized by using three kinds of DON, which were C2H5NO2, CH4N2S and C10H14N2Na2O8. Under the optimal reaction conditions, we tested the seawater in the Qingdao Sculpture Garden and the recovery rate of adding standard. In May, the TDN concentration of seawater in Qingdao Sculpture Garden was 122.94μg/L, the relative standard deviation was 0.34%. The recovery rate was as high as 99.94% to 100.39%. The outcomes indicate that the proposed method can apply to the potential in-situ monitor.

Macroalgal blooms caused by marine nutrient changes resulting from human activities

Abstract Macroalgal blooms (green tides) are occurring more frequently in many regions of the world, leading to significant impacts on marine ecology and economies. Although many studies and hypotheses have been proposed, the exact mechanism of green tide formation remains unclear. The world's largest green tides recur in the Yellow Sea and this area is representative for studying the origin and mechanism of green tide formation. We conducted a meta‐analysis of studies related to green tides and associated hypotheses for their formation. Rapid industrialization/urbanization and environmental protection actions in coastal zones have led to an increase in nitrate (nitrite) and decline in ammonium (ammonia), and this has resulted in increasing levels of dissolved inorganic nitrogen in seawater. We found that presence of appropriate attachment substrates for Ulva including laver culture rafts and certain hydrological conditions are supplementary factors to green tide formation in the Yellow Sea. Changes in marine nutrient levels promote the production of nitric oxide, which is essential for Ulva sporulation. Consequently, numerous spores are created and attach to substrates including laver culture rafts and parent Ulva thalli. These spores then develop into new thalli that are capable of producing further spores. As a result, Ulva thalli rapidly occupy vast areas of the sea and develop into green tides. Synthesis and applications. Our synthesis identifies that escalating marine nitric oxide generation caused by various factors and its essential role in Ulva sporulation are underlying and significant components in the mechanism of green tide formation. We provide solutions such as the improvement of comprehensive management of aquaculture and strict restriction of marine nitrate pollution, to prevent green tides. Furthermore, we propose an innovative wastewater treatment programme combined with Ulva application to fulfil the standard of sustainable development and circular economy.

The regulations of varied carbon-nitrogen supplies to physiology and amino acid contents in Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta)

Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) is an important economic alga in Southern China. In the present study, G. lemaneiformis thalli collected from Nan'ao Island, China, were cultured in six different treatments with three carbon supply levels (20, 400 and 1000 μatm) and two nitrogen supply levels (15 and 300 μmol L−1). The thalli were used in the examination of the effects of altered carbon supply and high nitrogen content in seawater on the growth, photosynthetic characteristics and amino acid (AA) content of this farmed algal species. Regardless of nitrogen levels, the relative growth rate of G. lemaneiformis increased with CO2 supply. Decrease and increase in the carbon supply of the culture both decreased the maximum quantum yield of photosystem PS II (Fv/Fm), initial slope of the rapid light curves (ɑ), non-photochemical quenching, maximum relative electron transport rate and AA content of G. lemaneiformis thalli. Moreover, under low and high CO2 supply conditions, the growth rates, Fv/Fm, antioxidant activities (SOD, CAT and POD) and AAs of G. lemaneiformis increases with higher nitrogen application (300 μmol L−1). Our results indicated that the inhibition of growth, photosynthesis, and AA accumulation of G. lemaneiformis can be alleviated by appropriately increasing the concentration of nitrogen in seawater. We suggest that during G. lemaneiformis mariculture, the appropriate application of nitrogen fertiliser may be an effective way to increase algal yield with improved nutrient quality, and seawater nitrogen enrichment may alleviate the physiological stress caused by high CO2 on G. lemaneiformis in the future.

Molecular Identification of Water-Extractable Organic Carbon from Thermally Heated Soils: C-13 NMR and Accurate Mass Analyses Find Benzene and Pyridine Carboxylic Acids.

To simulate the effects of wildfire on the combustion process in soils and their potential to leach organic compounds into streams and groundwater, mineral soil samples were heated at temperatures of 150-550 °C. Then, the soils were leached with deionized water, filtered, and analyzed for dissolved organic carbon. The water extract was concentrated by both XAD-8 and XAD-4 resins and analyzed by C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance and liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Approximately 15-20% of the water-extractable organic carbon was identified as benzene dicarboxylic acids, tricarboxylic acids, and tetracarboxylic acid isomers, commonly called BPCAs. Also identified were isomers of pyridine dicarboxylic acids and tricarboxylic acids (PCAs). The conversion of soil organic carbon to BPCAs occurs at 250 °C and reaches a maximum between 350 and 450 °C. At higher temperatures (>450 °C), the BPCA concentrations decrease, suggesting decarboxylation and conversion to carbon dioxide and water. This is the first report of BPCAs and PCAs in water-extractable organic carbon from thermally altered soil and suggest that these compounds are possible candidates for further water-quality studies in watersheds affected by wildfire. Finally, BPCAs and PCAs could contribute to the black carbon and nitrogen in seawater and are worthy of future investigation.

The effects of El Niño-Southern Oscillation events on intertidal seagrass beds over a long-term timescale.

El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events can cause dramatic changes in marine communities. However, we know little as to how ENSO events affect tropical seagrass beds over decadal timescales. Therefore, a diverse array of seagrass (Thalassia hemprichii) habitat types were surveyed once every 3months for 16years (January 2001 to February 2017) in a tropical intertidal zone that is regularly affected by both ENSO events and anthropogenic nutrient enrichment. La Niña and El Niño events had distinct effects on the biomass and growth of T.hemprichii. During La Niña years, higher (a) precipitation levels and (b) seawater nitrogen concentrations led to increases in seagrass leaf productivity, canopy height, and biomass. However, the latter simultaneously stimulated the growth of periphyton on seagrass leaves; this led to decreases in seagrass cover and shoot density. More frequent La Niña events could, then, eventually lead to either a decline in intertidal seagrass beds or a shift to another, less drought-resistant seagrass species in those regions already characterized by eutrophication due to local anthropogenic activity.

Seawater nitrogen concentration and light independently alter performance, growth, and resource allocation in the bloom-forming seaweeds Ulva lactuca and Ulvaria obscura (Chlorophyta)

Ulva lactuca and Ulvaria obscura are seaweeds that form green tides on Salish Sea shores. They have similar macroscopic morphologies but differ in their biochemistries and physiological responses. To understand how they are affected by changes in environmental conditions, a factorial experiment was conducted in which algae were grown in artificial seawater with either low (10 μM) or high (160 μM) nitrate (NO3−) concentrations at high (29 mol photons·m−2.day−1) and low (4 mol photons·m−2.day−1) light levels. Light and NO3− affected algal responses, but always independently. After two weeks, U. lactuca grown in high light were larger, had lower maximum quantum yields (MQYs), and lower nitrogen (N), carbon (C), pigment, and dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) concentrations, respectively, relative to algae in low light. In contrast, U. obscura growth was unaffected by light. Like U. lactuca, U. obscura grown in high light had lower MQYs, and N, pigment, and DMSP concentrations. In high light, U. obscura also had 89% higher dopamine concentrations and a tendency to fragment. Both U. lactuca and U. obscura grown in 160 μM NO3− were larger, had higher MQYs, and higher N, pigment, and DMSP concentrations, respectively, than algae in 10 μM NO3−. Also, when U. obscura was grown in the 160 μM NO3− medium, it significantly increased its surface area/mass ratio. Although both species grew faster in high NO3−, high light only promoted the growth of Ulva, which may explain the dominance of Ulva in summer months. High light was physiologically stressful to both species and caused increases in photoprotective mechanisms, such as the production of dopamine, a melanin precursor, in Ulvaria, and DMSP lysis in Ulva to generate antioxidants. Growing in 10 μM NO3- produced responses that were consistent with nitrogen limitation and had greater impacts on Ulvaria than Ulva, suggesting that Ulvaria responds more strongly to eutrophication.

Determination of total dissolved nitrogen in seawater by isotope dilution gas chromatography mass spectrometry following digestion with persulfate and derivatization with aqueous triethyloxonium

In this study, we propose a novel approach for the determination of total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) in seawater combining high-precision isotope dilution GC–MS with persulfate digestion. A 2 mL sample aliquot was digested with an alkaline solution of persulfate to convert nitrogen containing compounds to nitrate. Digested samples were spiked with 15NO3− internal standard and treated with aqueous triethyloxonium to convert the analyte into volatile EtONO2. This derivative was readily separated from the matrix under gaseous form and could be sampled from the headspace before GC–MS analysis. The resulting chromatograms showed a stable flat baseline with EtONO2 as the only eluting peak (retention time 2.75 min on a DB 5.625 column). Such an approach provides specificity and obviates the shortcomings of current detection methods employed to analyze seawater samples after digestion with persulfate. In negative chemical ionization mode, the method reached a detection limit of 0.5 μmol/kg TDN (7 ng/g N) and could be applied to quantify seawater samples with 1–25 μmol/kg TDN. On the upper end of the range, quantitation could be repeated within 1%, whereas on a 6 μmol/kg TDN sample repeatability was 2.3% on eight measurements. The method was employed in two proficiency testing exercises providing results in agreement with consensus values. We investigated the impact of reagent blank and we implemented a blank-matching optimal design to account for such contribution. Finally, we performed a study on the yield of persulfate oxidation for organic and inorganic nitrogen compounds typically present in seawater. Whilst nitrite and ammonium are fully converted to nitrate, more complex organic molecules showed recoveries varying from 70% to 100%.

Design of a In-situ Ammonia Nitrogen Analyzer in Seawater

A in-situ ammonia nitrogen analyzer in seawater was designed based on wet chemical reaction principle, combined the fluorospectrophotometry method with flow injection analysis. The analyzer was controlled by peristaltic pump and tree-way valve, which has the advantages of high sensitivity, low-reagent consumption and can measure the concentration of ammonia nitrogen in seawater in-situ. The detection range was 10∼500μg/L, while the detection limit was 1.80μg/L and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 2%. The on-site comparison tests between the ammonia nitrogen analyzer and the national standard methods were finished, and the results indicated that the analyzer was entirely feasible and could reflect the content and changes of the ammonia nitrogen in the seawater.

Effects of CO2 enrichment on benthic primary production and inorganic nitrogen fluxes in two coastal sediments

Ocean acidification may alter the cycling of nitrogen in coastal sediment and so the sediment–seawater nitrogen flux, an important driver of pelagic productivity. To investigate how this perturbation affects the fluxes of NOX− (nitrite/nitrate), NH4+ and O2, we incubated estuarine sand and subtidal silt in recirculating seawater with a CO2-adjusted pH of 8.1 and 7.9. During a 41-day incubation, the seawater kept at pH 8.1 lost 97% of its NOX− content but the seawater kept at pH 7.9 lost only 18%. Excess CO2 increased benthic photosynthesis. In the silt, this was accompanied by a reversal of the initial NOX− efflux into influx. The estuarine sand sustained its initial NOX− influx but, by the end of the incubation, released more NH4+ at pH 7.9 than at pH 8.1. We hypothesise that these effects share a common cause; excess CO2 increased the growth of benthic microalgae and so nutrient competition with ammonia oxidising bacteria (AOB). In the silt, diatoms likely outcompeted AOB for NH4+ and photosynthesis increased the dark/light fluctuations in the pore water oxygenation inhibiting nitrification and coupled nitrification/denitrification. If this is correct, then excess CO2 may lead to retention of inorganic nitrogen adding to the pressures of increasing coastal eutrophication.