间作对马铃薯种植土壤硝化作用和硝态氮供应的影响

土壤硝态氮供应对满足作物氮素需求至关重要,但间作如何影响土壤硝态氮供应及其作用机制尚不清楚。本研究基于4个氮水平(N₀, 0 kg·hm^-2; N₁, 62.5 kg·hm^-2; N₂, 125 kg·hm^-2; N₃, 187.5 kg·hm^-2)的马铃薯单作、马铃薯与玉米间作小区试验,分析土壤硝态氮含量与强度、硝化势和氨氧化功能基因丰度的差异,探讨间作影响土壤硝态氮供应和氮调控的机理。结果表明: 土壤硝态氮含量和强度随施氮量增加而升高,但同一施氮水平下间作均低于单作。施氮提高了土壤硝化势,且单作的响应高于间作。土壤中氨氧化细菌(AOB)的amoA基因丰度大于氨氧化古菌(AOA),二者在间作时均随施氮量增加呈现先增加后降低的趋势;相同施氮量下,间作的AOA和AOB基因丰度(除N₂外)均低于单作。相关分析、回归分析和主成分分析显示,马铃薯间作后,土壤AOB、AOA的amoA基因丰度下降,硝化势减弱,导致土壤硝态氮含量和强度降低。因此,间作导致土壤硝态氮供应降低与土壤氮转化的微生物过程有关,间作条件下的马铃薯种植应注意保障土壤氮素供应。     

甘氨酸对黄瓜幼苗硝酸盐吸收还原和硝态及氨态氮积累的影响（简报）

经甘氨酸溶液浸叶处理的黄瓜幼苗光下对NO_3~-的吸收和还原明显受到促进,地上部氨态氮积累增加,硝态氮减少,而根部硝态氮和氨态氮均增加。     

细菌硝酸盐异化还原成铵过程及其在河口生态系统中的潜在地位与影响

细菌硝酸盐异化还原成铵(DNRA)过程能够将河口沉积物中的硝氮转化为氨氮,是河口生态系统中潜在的重要氮循环过程之一。本文介绍DNRA机理与分类,综述河口生态系统中DNRA的地位与影响,并总结河口生态系统中几种重要生态因子对DNRA过程的调控与影响。目前DNRA的机理还有待完善。深入研究各类河口生态系统中环境因子对DNRA的调控与影响机制,并研发新的研究方法,将为我国河口地区的水资源保护和生态治理提供科学依据。     

田间非饱和流条件下土壤硝态氮运移的模拟

运用马尔可夫过程的理论 ,建立了土壤非饱和流条件下 ,模拟硝态氮通过土层运移的随机模型 .模型把时间可变系统假设为由紧密相连的时间均质情况相接而成 ,使得运用马尔可夫过程成为可能 ,在给定土壤水流量及汇源项转移强度的土壤层次中 ,给出了硝态氮溶质的统计分布 .模型将随机过程与确定性过程相结合 ,在计算各土层间的转移概率时考虑了硝态氮的作物吸收、淋洗、硝化和反硝化等主要过程 ,并用相关函数修正 N素转化关系 .在褐土农田土壤非饱和流条件下 ,用微区试验对该模型运行效果进行了验证 ,结果显示模拟计算值与实测值之间吻合性较好 ,说明模型可以用于相似类型区 ,预测和评价土壤 -作物系统中硝态氮溶质的运移行为 .     

一株耐盐的卓贝儿氏菌(Zobellella sp.)的分离鉴定及其硝酸盐还原能力

【背景】好氧反硝化是指在有氧条件下进行反硝化作用,使得硝化和反硝化过程能够在同一反应器中同时发生,是废水脱氮最具竞争力的技术。红树林湿地中蕴藏着丰富的微生物资源,分布着大量好氧反硝化微生物。【目的】了解耐盐微生物的脱氮机制,为含盐废水生物脱氮的工程实践提供理论依据,对一株分离于红树林湿地中的耐盐好氧细菌A63的硝酸盐异化还原能力进行分析。【方法】利用形态学特征及16S rRNA基因序列测定分析,对其种属进行了鉴定,采用单因子实验测定该菌在不同环境因子下的硝酸盐还原能力,并对其反硝化脱氮条件进行了优化。【结果】初步判定该菌株为卓贝儿氏菌(Zobellellasp.),其能在盐度0%-10%、pH5.0-10.0、温度20-40°C范围内进行反硝化脱氮和硝酸盐异化还原为氨(dissimilatorynitratereductiontoammonium,DNRA)作用。菌株A63最适生长碳源为柠檬酸钠(1.2 g/L),适宜脱氮盐度为3%、pH 7.0-7.5、温度30-35°C,且C/N为10。在最适脱氮条件下,该菌株12h内能将培养基中208.8mg/L硝态氮降至0,且仅有少量铵态氮生成,无亚硝态氮积累,脱氮率高达99%。此外,该菌株在高盐度、低C/N比、弱酸性和低温等不利生境中DNRA作用显著。【结论】细菌A63生长范围宽,脱氮效率显著,适用于海水养殖废水处理。研究为今后开发高效含盐废水生物脱氮工艺奠定了基础,对于加深氮素转化规律的认识、丰富生物脱氮理论有着重要意义。     

水分状况与不同形态氮添加对亚热带森林土壤氮素净转化速率及N2O排放的影响

通过室内模拟试验,研究40%、70%和110%土壤饱和持水量(WHC)下,不同形态氮(硝态氮和铵态氮)添加对亚热带森林红壤氮素转化的影响.结果表明:70%WHC下土壤净矿化和氨化速率最高,40%WHC下最低;与对照相比,70%WHC下添加硝态氮使土壤净矿化和氨化速率分别降低56.1%和43.0%,110%WHC下分别降低68.2%和19.0%,但提高了氨化速率占矿化速率的比例,表明添加硝态氮抑制了硝化.110%WHC下,添加硝态氮后,土壤净硝化速率最低,但氧化亚氮(N2O)浓度最高,最大值出现在第3~7天,表明N2O产生自反硝化途径,硝态氮也在同时段降低;而40%WHC和70%WHC下,N2O浓度在培养初期最大,即使在铵态氮和硝态氮添加处理下,试验后期N2O浓度也没有显著变化,表明自氧硝化是试验前期N2O产生的主要途径.40%WHC下,土壤可溶性有机碳含量增加最多,且在铵态氮添加处理下增加最多,可见添加铵态氮促进土壤有机质矿化,增加可溶性有机碳,但是土壤水分含量增多不利于有机质矿化.在40%WHC和110%WHC下,铵态氮添加处理土壤可溶性有机氮(SON)变化速率分别显著高于对照73.6%和176.6%,而在硝态氮添加处理下,只有40%WHC下显著高于对照78.7%,表明高水分条件和添加铵态氮有利于SON的形成.     

不同作物对旱地农田残留硝态氮的利用差异

在黄土高原南部娄土上,通过2a田间试验研究了小麦和苜蓿对土壤中不同累积量的残留硝态氮的利用差异。研究包括0—3 m土壤残留硝态氮累积量(设N1、N2、N3、N4、N5和N6共6个水平,残留硝态氮量依次增加)和作物种类(冬小麦和苜蓿)2个因素,分别采用冬小麦-夏休闲-冬小麦和苜蓿连作种植方式。结果表明,不施用氮肥条件下,冬小麦-休闲-冬小麦轮作周期与苜蓿连作2a内,土壤残留硝态氮的消长有明显差异。在第1季小麦生长期间,小麦的氮素携出量(63.9—130.3 kg/hm2)、氮素携出量占播前残留硝态氮量的比例(18%—27%)及氮素携出量占该生长季硝态氮减少量的比例(29%—62%)均显著高于同期的苜蓿处理。在第2个生长季内,苜蓿的氮素携出量是小麦当季氮素携出量的近6倍,但由于苜蓿固氮作用强烈,至第2生长季结束后,0—3 m土壤硝态氮量与苜蓿播前相比平均只减少了72.4 kg/hm2,而麦田0—3 m土壤硝态氮量与小麦播前相比减少了158.3 kg/hm2。在短期内如果通过种植作物消耗土壤剖面的残留硝态氮,冬小麦比苜蓿更有优势。第1季小麦氮素携出量与小麦播前0—2 m(r=0.920**)和0—3 m(r=0.857*)土层残留硝态氮量呈显著或极显著正相关,与0—1 m土层残留硝态氮量没有显著相关性;第1生长季苜蓿氮素携出量与播前0—1 m土壤硝态氮累积量呈显著正相关关系(r=0.846*),而与0—2 m和0—3 m土壤硝态氮累积量的相关性并不显著。小麦比苜蓿能利用更深土层中的硝态氮。随着播前0—3 m土壤残留硝态氮的增加,小麦和苜蓿地上部氮素携出量呈增加的趋势,硝态氮表观损失也显著增加。     

土壤氮素转化的关键微生物过程及机制

微生物是驱动土壤元素生物地球化学循环的引擎.氮循环是土壤生态系统元素循环的核心之一,其四个主要过程,即生物固氮作用、氨化作用、硝化作用、反硝化作用,均由微生物所驱动.近10年来,随着免培养的分子生态学技术和高通量测序技术等的发展,在硝化微生物多样性及其作用机理、厌氧氨氧化过程和机理等研究方面取得了突破性进展.本文重点阐述了我国有关土壤硝化微生物方面的研究进展,在此基础上,简要介绍了反硝化微生物和厌氧氨氧化及硝酸盐异化还原成铵作用的研究进展,并对今后的研究工作提出了展望.今后土壤氮素转化微生物生态学的研究,应瞄准国际微生生态学发展的前沿,加强新技术新方法的应用,结合我国农业可持续发展、资源环境保护和全球变化研究的重大需求,重点开展以下几方面的工作:(1)开展大尺度上土壤硝化作用及氨氧化微生物分布的时空演变特征及驱动因子的研究;(2)加强氮素转化关键微生物过程与机理的研究,并与相关过程的通量(如氨挥发、N2O释放)和反应速率(如矿化速率、硝化速率)关联起来;(3)在特定生态系统中系统研究各个氮转化过程的耦合关系,构建相关氮素转化和氮素平衡模型,为定向调控土壤氮素转化过程,提高氮素利用效率并减少其负面效应提供科学依据.     

枣粮间作生态系统土壤氮空间分布特性

基于枣粮间作复合生态系统内部异质性,通过在不同位置采样测定,探讨了枣粮间作系统内土壤氮素空间分布特性.结果表明:(1)枣粮间作生态系统中,在小麦收获期和玉米收获期两个时期,土壤全氮和硝态氮含量均存在明显的垂直和水平两个方向空间变异性.而土壤铵态氮含量极低且没有明显的空间变异;(2)与全氮相比,枣粮间作系统中硝态氮空间变异性更强,且随着时间变化其空间分布特性有明显变化;(3)氮素施用量对土壤全氮和硝态氮空间变异有正向作用,而植株对氮的吸收利用可以降低土壤氮素分布空间差异程度.各因子对土壤全氮空间变异影响强弱顺序为氮吸收量＞氮素施用量＞土壤含水量;对土壤硝态氮空间变异影响强弱顺序为氮素施用量＞土壤全氮含量＞氮素吸收量＞土壤含水量.     

叶类蔬菜的硝态氮累积及成因研究

在菜园土壤上进行的田间试验,用禾谷类作物冬小麦作比较,研究了菠菜、小白菜、大青菜和油菜等叶类蔬菜累积硝态氮的特点,结果表明：硝态氮累积是一般早作作物的共性,苗期更为明显,无论蔬菜还是冬小麦均有较高的硝态氮含量（367.8-1413.4μg/g);但随生育期后延,蔬菜的硝态氮含量波动升高,冬小麦波动降低,盆栽试验表明,施入土壤的氮肥是蔬菜硝态氮累积的主要来源,过量施用氮肥所导致的蔬菜硝态氮吸收与还原转化不平衡是产生累积的根本原因,吸收与生长不协调更使累积过程加剧。     

Influence of bioturbation on denitrification and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) in freshwater sediments

Intensive agriculture leads to increased nitrogen fluxes (mostly as nitrate, NO₃ ^?) to aquatic ecosystems, which in turn creates ecological problems, including eutrophication and associated harmful algal blooms. These problems have focused scientific attention on understanding the controls on nitrate reduction processes such as denitrification and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA). Our objective was to determine the effects of nutrient-tolerant bioturbating invertebrates (tubificid oligochaetes) on nitrogen cycling processes, specifically coupled nitrification–denitrification, net denitrification, DNRA, and biogeochemical fluxes (O₂, NO₃ ^?, NH₄ ⁺, CO₂, N₂O, and CH₄) in freshwater sediments. A mesocosm experiment determined how tubificid density and increasing NO₃ ^? concentrations (using N¹⁵ isotope tracing) interact to affect N cycling processes. At the lowest NO₃ ^? concentration and in the absence of bioturbation, the relative importance of denitrification to DNRA was similar (i.e., 49.6 and 50.4 ± 8.1 %, respectively). Increasing NO₃ ^? concentrations in the control cores (without fauna) stimulated denitrification, but did not enhance DNRA, which significantly altered the relative importance of denitrification compared to DNRA (94.6 vs. 5.4 ± 0.9 %, respectively). The presence of tubificid oligochaetes enhanced O₂, NO₃ ^?, NH₄ ⁺ fluxes, greenhouse gas production, and N cycling processes. The relative importance of denitrification to DNRA shifted towards favoring denitrification with both the increase in NO₃ ^? concentrations and the increase of bioturbation activity. Our study highlights that understanding the interactions between nutrient-tolerant bioturbating species and nitrate contamination is important for determining the nitrogen removal capacity of eutrophic freshwater ecosystems.     

Functional role of DNRA and nitrite reduction in a pristine south Chilean <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nothofagus</Emphasis> forest

Nitrite (NO₂ ⁻) is an intermediate in a variety of soil N cycling processes. However, NO₂ ⁻ dynamics are often not included in studies that explore the N cycle in soil. Within the presented study, nitrite dynamics were investigated in a Nothofagus betuloides forest on an Andisol in southern Chile. We carried out a ¹⁵N tracing study with six ¹⁵N labeling treatments, including combinations of NO₃ ⁻, NH₄ ⁺ and NO₂ ⁻. Gross N transformation rates were quantified with a ¹⁵N tracing model in combination with a Markov chain Monte Carlo optimization routine. Our results indicate the occurrence of functional links between (1) NH₄ ⁺ oxidation, the main process for NO₂ ⁻ production (nitritation), and NO₂ ⁻ reduction, and (2) oxidation of soil organic N, the dominant NO₃ ⁻ production process in this soil, and dissimilatory NO₃ ⁻ reduction to NH₄ ⁺ (DNRA). The production of NH₄ ⁺ via DNRA was approximately ten times higher than direct mineralization from recalcitrant soil organic matter. Moreover, the rate of DNRA was several magnitudes higher than the rate of other NO₃ ⁻ reducing processes, indicating that DNRA is able to outcompete denitrification, which is most likely not an important process in this ecosystem. These functional links are most likely adaptations of the microbial community to the prevailing pedo-climatic conditions of this Nothofagus ecosystem.     

Modeling nitrogen cycling in a coastal fresh water sediment

Increased nitrogen (N) loading to coastal marine and freshwater systems is occurring worldwide as a result of human activities. Diagenetic processes in sediments can change the N availability in these systems, by supporting removal through denitrification and burial of organic N (N_org) or by enhancing N recycling. In this study, we use a reactive transport model (RTM) to examine N transformations in a coastal fresh water sediment and quantify N removal rates. We also assess the response of the sediment N cycle to environmental changes that may result from increased salinity which is planned to occur at the site as a result of an estuarine restoration project. Field results show that much of the N_org deposited on the sediment is currently remineralized to ammonium. A rapid removal of nitrate is observed in the sediment pore water, with the resulting nitrate reduction rate estimated to be 130 μmol N cm⁻² yr⁻¹. A model sensitivity study was conducted altering the distribution of nitrate reduction between dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) and denitrification. These results show a 40% decline in sediment N removal as NO ₃ ⁻ reduction shifts from denitrification to DNRA. This decreased N removal leads to a shift in sediment-water exchange flux of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) from near zero with denitrification to 133 μmol N cm⁻² yr⁻¹ if DNRA is the dominant pathway. The response to salinization includes a short-term release of adsorbed ammonium. Additional changes expected to result from the estuarine restoration include: lower NO ₃ ⁻ concentrations and greater SO ₄ ²⁻ concentrations in the bottom water, decreased nitrification rates, and increased sediment mixing. The effect of these changes on net DIN flux and N removal vary based on the distribution of DNRA versus denitrification, illustrating the need for a better understanding of factors controlling this competition.     

Nitrogen transformations in microenvironments of river beds and riparian zones

The soil of flooded riparian zones, the rhizosphere of riparian plants, biofilms at solid surfaces in the river, and the surface layer of sediments all constitute important environments for the oxidative or reductive transformations of inorganic nitrogen compounds. The exact microzonation and coupling of the processes have recently been studied intensively with ¹⁵N enrichment methods and microsensors for NH₄⁺, NO₂⁻, NO₃⁻, and N₂O. Microsensor analyses of gradients in sediments and biofilms have shown that nitrate production takes place in an aerobic surface zone that has a maximum thickness of a few millimeters in most shallow-water sediments and may be as thin as 100 μm in biofilms from very eutrophic environments. In the anoxic zone, denitrification is also concentrated in a zone of maximum a few millimeters, and typically half of the nitrate produced by nitrification is denitrified while the other half escapes to the water. The supply of nitrate from above is primarily controlled by the oxic layer acting as a diffusion barrier, and therefore denitrification is generally a linear function of the nitrate concentration in the water. The overlying water is thus a much more important source of nitrate for denitrification if the concentration is high. The rate and location of denitrification are also affected by bioturbating animals, benthic microphytes, plants, and bacteria performing dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA).     

The Fate of Nitrate in Intertidal Permeable Sediments

Coastal zones act as a sink for riverine and atmospheric nitrogen inputs and thereby buffer the open ocean from the effects of anthropogenic activity. Recently, microbial activity in sandy permeable sediments has been identified as a dominant source of N-loss in coastal zones, namely through denitrification. Some of the highest coastal denitrification rates measured so far occur within the intertidal permeable sediments of the eutrophied Wadden Sea. Still, denitrification alone can often account for only half of the substantial nitrate (NO₃ ⁻) consumption. Therefore, to investigate alternative NO₃ ⁻ sinks such as dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA), intracellular nitrate storage by eukaryotes and isotope equilibration effects we carried out ¹⁵NO₃ ⁻ amendment experiments. By considering all of these sinks in combination, we could quantify the fate of the ¹⁵NO₃ ⁻ added to the sediment. Denitrification was the dominant nitrate sink (50–75%), while DNRA, which recycles N to the environment accounted for 10–20% of NO₃ ⁻ consumption. Intriguingly, we also observed that between 20 and 40% of ¹⁵NO₃ ⁻ added to the incubations entered an intracellular pool of NO₃ ⁻ and was subsequently respired when nitrate became limiting. Eukaryotes were responsible for a large proportion of intracellular nitrate storage, and it could be shown through inhibition experiments that at least a third of the stored nitrate was subsequently also respired by eukaryotes. The environmental significance of the intracellular nitrate pool was confirmed by in situ measurements which revealed that intracellular storage can accumulate nitrate at concentrations six fold higher than the surrounding porewater. This intracellular pool is so far not considered when modeling N-loss from intertidal permeable sediments; however it can act as a reservoir for nitrate during low tide. Consequently, nitrate respiration supported by intracellular nitrate storage can add an additional 20% to previous nitrate reduction estimates in intertidal sediments, further increasing their contribution to N-loss.     

Sulfide enhances methanogenesis in nitrate-containing methanogenic cultures

The effects of sulfide on nitrate reduction and methanogenesis using butyrate as a carbon source were investigated in a mixed mesophilic, methanogenic culture. In the sulfide-free medium, 25-75 mg l⁻¹ nitrate markedly inhibited the efficiencies of acetogenesis and methanogenesis processes. Adding 25 mg-S l⁻¹ increased methane production in nitrate-amended medium. Low sulfide levels shifted the nitrate reduction pathway from denitrification to dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonia (DNRA), thereby reducing the amounts of toxic nitric oxide and nitrous oxide produced that inhibit methanogenesis. The dose of 25 mg l⁻¹ sulfide was oxidized completely, during which heterotrophic DNRA predominated. The oxidized forms of sulfide reformed, limiting induction of the heterotrophic denitrification pathway. The actions of heterotrophic and autotrophic DNRA bacteria, denitrifiers, sulfate-reducing bacteria and methanogens mitigate nitrate toxicity during methanogenesis in an anaerobic process.     

Nitrate respiration and diel migration patterns of diatoms are linked in sediments underneath a microbial mat

Diatoms are among the few eukaryotes known to store nitrate (NO₃⁻) and to use it as an electron acceptor for respiration in the absence of light and O₂. Using microscopy and ¹⁵N stable isotope incubations, we studied the relationship between dissimilatory nitrate/nitrite reduction to ammonium (DNRA) and diel vertical migration of diatoms in phototrophic microbial mats and the underlying sediment of a sinkhole in Lake Huron (USA). We found that the diatoms rapidly accumulated NO₃⁻ at the mat-water interface in the afternoon and 40% of the population migrated deep into the sediment, where they were exposed to dark and anoxic conditions for ~75% of the day. The vertical distribution of DNRA rates and diatom abundance maxima coincided, suggesting that DNRA was the main energy generating metabolism of the diatom population. We conclude that the illuminated redox-dynamic ecosystem selects for migratory diatoms that can store nitrate for respiration in the absence of light. A major implication of this study is that the dominance of DNRA over denitrification is not explained by kinetics or thermodynamics. Rather, the dynamic conditions select for migratory diatoms that perform DNRA and can outcompete sessile denitrifiers.     

Denitrification,dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium,and nitrogen fixation along a nitrate concentration gradient in a created freshwater wetland

Wetlands are often highly effective nitrogen (N) sinks. In the Lake Waco Wetland (LWW), near Waco, Texas, USA, nitrate (NO₃⁻) concentrations are reduced by more than 90% in the first 500 m downstream of the inflow, creating a distinct gradient in NO₃⁻ concentration along the flow path of water. The relative importance of sediment denitrification (DNF), dissimilatory NO₃⁻ reduction to ammonium (DNRA), and N₂ fixation were examined along the NO₃⁻ concentration gradient in the LWW. “Potential DNF” (hereafter potDNF) was observed in all months and ranged from 54 to 278 μmol N m⁻² h⁻¹. “Potential DNRA” (hereafter potDNRA) was observed only in summer months and ranged from 1.3 to 33 μmol N m⁻² h⁻¹. Net N₂ flux ranged from 184 (net denitrification) to −270 (net N₂ fixation) μmol N m⁻² h⁻¹. Nitrogen fixation was variable, ranging from 0 to 426 μmol N m⁻² h⁻¹, but high rates ranked among the highest reported for aquatic sediments. On average, summer potDNRA comprised only 5% (±2% SE) of total NO₃⁻ loss through dissimilatory pathways, but was as high as 36% at one site where potDNF was consistently low. Potential DNRA was higher in sediments with higher sediment oxygen demand (r ² = 0.84), and was related to NO₃⁻ concentration in overlying water in one summer (r ² = 0.81). Sediments were a NO₃⁻ sink and accounted for 50% of wetland NO₃⁻ removal (r ² = 0.90). Sediments were an NH₄⁺ source, but the wetland was often a net NH₄⁺ sink. Although DNRA rates in freshwater wetlands may rival those observed in estuarine systems, the importance of DNRA in freshwater sediments appears to be minor relative to DNF. Furthermore, sediment N₂ fixation can be extremely high when NO₃⁻ in overlying water is consistently low. The data suggest that newly fixed N can support sustained N transformation processes such as DNF and DNRA when surface water inorganic N supply rates are low.     

Seasonal oxygen,nitrogen and phosphorus benthic cycling along an impacted Baltic Sea estuary: regulation and spatial patterns

The regulatory roles of temperature, eutrophication and oxygen availability on benthic nitrogen (N) cycling and the stoichiometry of regenerated nitrogen and phosphorus (P) were explored along a Baltic Sea estuary affected by treated sewage discharge. Rates of sediment denitrification, anammox, dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA), nutrient exchange, oxygen (O₂) uptake and penetration were measured seasonally. Sediments not affected by the nutrient plume released by the sewage treatment plant (STP) showed a strong seasonality in rates of O₂ uptake and coupled nitrification–denitrification, with anammox never accounting for more than 20 % of the total dinitrogen (N₂) production. N cycling in sediments close to the STP was highly dependent on oxygen availability, which masked temperature-related effects. These sediments switched from low N loss and high ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) efflux under hypoxic conditions in the fall, to a major N loss system in the winter when the sediment surface was oxidized. In the fall DNRA outcompeted denitrification as the main nitrate (NO₃ ^?) reduction pathway, resulting in N recycling and potential spreading of eutrophication. A comparison with historical records of nutrient discharge and denitrification indicated that the total N loss in the estuary has been tightly coupled to the total amount of nutrient discharge from the STP. Changes in dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) released from the STP agreed well with variations in sedimentary N₂ removal. This indicates that denitrification and anammox efficiently counterbalance N loading in the estuary across the range of historical and present-day anthropogenic nutrient discharge. Overall low N/P ratios of the regenerated nutrient fluxes impose strong N limitation for the pelagic system and generate a high potential for nuisance cyanobacterial blooms.