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The Effects of Hypoxia on Sediment Nitrogen Cycling in the Baltic Sea

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Abstract

Primary production in the eutrophic Baltic Sea is limited by nitrogen availability; hence denitrification (natural transformation of nitrate to gaseous N2) in the sediments is crucial in mitigating the effects of eutrophication. This study shows that dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) process, where nitrogen is not removed but instead recycled in the system, dominates nitrate reduction in low oxygen conditions (O2 <110 μM), which have been persistent in the central Gulf of Finland during the past decade. The nitrogen removal rates measured in this study show that nitrogen removal has decreased in the Gulf of Finland compared to rates measured in mid-1990s and the decrease is most likely caused by the increased bottom water hypoxia.

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Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the funding provided by the Onni Talas Foundation, Academy of Finland (116477), and EU-Bonus projects Assessment and Modeling of Baltic Ecosystem Response (AMBER) and Hypoxia Mitigation for Baltic Sea Ecosystem Restoration (HYPER). We are grateful for the constructive comments provided by Juha Niemistö, Heidi Holmroos, and an anonymous reviewer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, Aquatic Sciences, P.O. Box 65, 00014, University of Helsinki, Finland

    Helena Jäntti & Susanna Hietanen

  2. Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, J.A. Palménin tie 260, 10900, Hanko, Finland

    Helena Jäntti & Susanna Hietanen

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  1. Helena Jäntti
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  2. Susanna Hietanen
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Correspondence to Helena Jäntti.

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Jäntti, H., Hietanen, S. The Effects of Hypoxia on Sediment Nitrogen Cycling in the Baltic Sea. AMBIO 41, 161–169 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-011-0233-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-011-0233-6

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