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Short term nitrogen dynamics in a small Brazilian wetland (Lago Infernão, São Paulo)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Clive Howard-Williams ,
F. de Esteves ,
J. E. Santos  and
M. T. Downes
Clive Howard-Williams
Affiliation:
Taupo Research Laboratory, DSIR, PO Box 415, Taupo, New Zealand
F. de Esteves
Affiliation:
Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP. Brasil
J. E. Santos
Affiliation:
Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP. Brasil
M. T. Downes
Affiliation:
Taupo Research Laboratory, DSIR, PO Box 415, Taupo, New Zealand
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Abstract

We have studied a number of related processes of the nitrogen cycle in a Brazilian floodplain lake to identify the major pools and pathways over a short time period. The study was centred on the littoral zone dominated by the floating plant Eichhornia azurea, which has a large epiphyte algal community of which heterocystous cyanobacteria were the major components. The water column was continuously undersaturated with oxygen although some elevated values (to 60% saturation) were recorded in the macrophyte beds in the afternoon. Marked diel temperature changes were documented. NH4-N dominated the dissolved N component in the water with maximal values (60 mg m−3) at lowest O2, concentrations early in the morning. Nitrogen fixation (acetylene reduction) of the epiphyte community showed marked diel changes with daily values of 5 mg N fixed m−2 day−1 (based on 3:1 C2H4:N2 ratio). Macrophyte NH4-N uptake rates (in situ incubations) were 93 mg N m−2 day−1. The activities of nitrifying bacteria could not be detected with the nitrapyrin block on dark CO2 fixation but denitrification (acetylene block technique) was recorded in the sediments when enhanced with NO-3. The major pathways of aquatic nitrogen involved macrophyte uptake and sediment release of NH4-N.

Keywords

aquatic macrophyteBrazildenitrificationlittoral zonenitrificationnitrogen fixationwetland
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 5 , Issue 3 , August 1989 , pp. 323 - 335
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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