Quantitative observations on the pulmonary anatomy of the domestic Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata)

The lungs of five female domestic Muscovy ducks, mean body weight 1.627 kg, total lung volume 48.07 cm³, were analysed by standard morphometric methods. Principal results obtained are: lung volume per unit body weight, 30.17 cm³/g; volume densities of exchange tissue relative to lung volume, 49.24%, blood capillaries relative to exchange tissue, 29.63%, tissue of the blood gas (tissue) barrier relative to exchange tissue, 5.88%; surface area of the blood-gas (tissue) barrier per unit body weight, 30.04 cm²/g; ratios of the surface area of the blood-gas (tissue) barrier per unit volume of the lung and per unit volume of exchange area, 979 cm²/cm³ and 200.06 mm²/mm³, respectively; harmonic and arithmetic mean thicknesses of the tissue barrier, 0.199 μm and 0.303 μm, respectively. The anatomical diffusing capacity of the tissue barrier for oxygen ( DtO₂ ) and the total pulmonary diffusing capacity ( DLO₂ ), 49.58 ml O₂/min/mmHg/kg and 4.55 ml O₂/min/mm Hg/kg, respectively. The lungs of the domestic Muscovy duck appear to be about as well adapted anatomically for gas exchange as the lungs of wild anatid species, and there is no clear evidence that domestication has been associated with any deterioration in the anatomical capacity for oxygen uptake. The weight-specific anatomical diffusing capacity of the lung for oxygen ( DLO₂/W ) was about 3.6 times greater than the weight-specific physiological value, a factor which falls within the expected range.     

Seed-breaking forces exerted by orang-utans with their teeth in captivity and a new technique for estimating forces produced in the Wild

Orang-utans (Pongo pygmaeus) at the Singapore Zoological Gardens were presented with two thick-shelled edible seeds, Mezzettia parviflora (Annonaceae) and Macadamia ternifolia (Proteaceae) in order to estimate their maximum bite forces. The orang-utans could break the Macadamia seeds in one bite, while those of Mezzettia required repeated attempts. Examination of shell fragments showed that many had scratches and some had clear, but small (ca. 1–2 mm diameter), impressions on them. Building upon this information, semi-imitative tests were performed on the seeds in a universal testing machine by loading them in compression with either flat plates or metal casts of orang-utan cheek teeth. The maximum forces required to break the seeds were similar with both the flat plates and the metal teeth; the average for the Macadamia seeds being about 2,000 N (which forms a minimum estimate for the maximum bite forces in orang-utans) and for the Mezzettia seeds, 6,000 N. The work done with the metal teeth was much greater than with the plates. A mechanical analysis showed that this extra work went into producing permanent impressions (“bite marks”) in the shell with the tooth cusps. These impressions were larger than those found on the shells of seeds bitten by the orang-utans. Nevertheless, it is shown theoretically that the size of these indentations can give an estimate of the bite forces used. The maximum force developed in the machine tests with the metal teeth was correlated with the force calculated from analysis of the bite marks. The method is suitable for use in field studies where the marks left on remnants of hard foods eaten by primates may be used to estimate, very roughly, the forces used to produce them. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Egg development of the stoneflies Siphonoperla burmeisteri(Chloroperlidae) and Dinocras cepùnalotes(Perlidae)

SUMMARY. 1. The duration of egg incubation ( Y ) in Dinocras cephalotes and Siphonoperla burmeisteri was related to constant temperatures from 4 to 24°C, by the regression equations Y=2382 T ^{− 1, 402}(r²=0.992, P<0.001) and y= 2683 T ^−1.667 ( r ²=0.994, P <0.001), respectively. No diapause was observed in either species.
2. Egg incubation in D. cephaloles was slow and took 784.9±92.7 (mean ± SD) degree days between 12 and 20°C. significantly more than in S. burmeisteri (445±76.17 degree days: t = 7.44. d.f.=13, P <0.001).
3. For D. cephalotes hatching occurred at temperatures between 12 and 24°C, and for S . burmeisteri between 8 and 20°C. The mean volume of the eggs of D. cephalotes was about 5 times greater than that of S. burmeisteri and the mean body lengths of the newly-hatched nymphs were 1.13 mm and 0.95 mm respectively.
4. This study shows that the freshwater fauna of northern Fennoscan- dia also contains species with warm stenotherm eggs. D. cephalotes. which is of a Mediterranean origin (Zwick, 1981a), may exist at the limit of its distribution in northern Fennoscandia.     

Effects of Temperature and Leaf Weness on the Latent Period of Rbynchosporium Secalis (Leaf Blotch) on Leaves of Winter Barley

Effects of temperature and leaf wetness on the latent period of Rhynchosporium secaits (leaf blotch) on winter barley were examined in controlled environment experiments. At 100% relative humidity (continuous leaf wetness) the mean length of the latent period was c.24 days at 5°C, c. 19 days at 10°C, c. 16 days at l5°C and c. 13 days at 20°C. The mean number of days between the appearance of the first and the last lesions was c. 13 days at 5°C, c. 6 days at 10°C, c. 5 days at 15°C and c. 3 days at 20°C. A negative curvilinear regression of latent period on temperature accounted for 99% of the variance. The mean area of lesions per leaf was 38 mm² at 5°C, 46 mm² at 10°C, 24 mm² at 15°C and 24 mm² at 20°C. At 10°C, after a 48 h wet infection period, the interruption of leaf wetness for 5 or more days at any time during the next 15 days of the latent period did not decrease subsequent lesion area. However, absence of leaf wetness after these 15 days, at the onset of sporuiation, did decrease the area of lesions which developed.     

Extracellular Calcium Concentration Affects Infectivity of Ichthyophthirius (Ciliophora) Theronts

Tomonts and their theront offspring of the hymenostomatid fish parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis were exposed to calcium levels from 0 to 0.8 mM Ca^2+. The survival and reproductive rates of tomonts in the absence of extracellular calcium were not significantly different from rates of tomonts provided calcium. Theronts that developed in the absence of calcium, however, were not infective for Ictalurus punctatus even when the extracellular magnesium concentration was doubled. Theronts that developed in 0.10 mM Ca²⁺ were infective (0.77 trophonts/mm² of pectoral fin) to essentially the same extent as theronts provided 0.33 mM Ca^2+. Infectivity of those provided 0.8 mM Ca²⁺ was 1.79 trophonts/mm² of fin, similar to that of theront controls. Theronts deprived of extracellular calcium as they developed contained significantly fewer secretory mucocysts than did theronts provided 0.1 to 0.8 mM Ca²⁺ although no significant differences among groups occurred with respect to abundance of crystalline or differentiating mucocysts. Theronts deprived of extracellular calcium also had swollen or enlarged mitochondria and abnormal crystalline mucocysts.     

Optimization and biochemical characterization of a bacteriocin from a newly isolated Bacillus subtilis strain 14B for biocontrol of Agrobacterium spp. strains

Aims:  The identification of a new compound active against Agrobacterium tumefaciens .
Methods and Results:  The culture conditions of a newly isolated Bacillus subtilis strain, designed 14B, were optimized, as a first step, to produce its bacteriocin (termed Bac 14B) for the biocontrol of Agrobacterium spp., the causal agents of the crown gall disease. Bac 14B was then partially purified and biochemically characterized. Bacillus subtilis 14B was observed to produce an antibacterial compound having a protinaceous nature. As estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), the semi-purified bacteriocin substance was found to be a monomeric protein with a molecular weight of 21 kDa. While the latter's antimicrobial activity was completely stable during exposure to a temperature range of up to 100°C for 2 h, its initial activity was totally lost at 121°C for 20 min. The maximum bacteriocin production (4096 AU ml⁻¹) was recorded after 96 h-incubation in an optimized Luria Bertani medium supplemented with 10 g l⁻¹ glucose, 15 g l⁻¹ K₂HPO₄ and 5 g l⁻¹ MgSO₄ 7H₂O at 30°C in a shaking flask culture. Interestingly, the B. subtilis 14B culture supernatant that contained the bacteriocin under study was proved efficient in reducing both the percentage of galled plants and the number of galls in tomato.
Conclusion:  The findings revealed that B. subtilis 14B and its bacteriocin are efficient in reducing the percentage of infections in plants caused by Ag. tumefaciens .
Significance and Impact of the Study:  The results could be useful for the nurserymen who are particularly interested in the biocontrol of the crown gall disease.     

Growth characteristics of human melanoma xenografts

Abstract. The growth of twelve human malignant melanomas in athymic nude mice was studied. Gompertz curves were fitted to volumetric growth data. DNA histograms were obtained with flow cytometry. Each of the twelve melanomas exhibited a characteristic growth pattern, indicating that inherent properties of the tumours are important for the growth control. The theoretical maximum volumes (Vmax) ranged from 208 to 12,900 mm³, the volume doubling times ( T d) from 2.8 to 15.3 days (^V= 50 mm³) and from 3.8 to 64.6 days ( V = 200 mm³), and the fraction of cells in S from 5 to 21%. Tumours with short T d were characterized by a higher growth fraction and probably by a lower cell loss factor than those with long T d. The growth was also influenced by the nude mouse host, as indicated by the values for V max which were similar to those reported for mouse tumours (geometric mean = 8100 mm³), but considerably lower than the volumes of many tumours in man. Also the T d-values for the xenografts were generally lower than those reported for tumours in man, presumably due to a lower cell loss factor. During serial transplantation the growth rate of one of the melanomas increased abruptly, probably because of both an increased growth fraction and a reduced cell loss factor. The latter result demonstrates the necessity of keeping basic biological parameters of xenografts under observation during serial transplantation.     

Fatty acid composition of galactolipids and phospholipids in neoplasmatic plant tissues (cecidia) and normal leaf tissue

Insect-elicited modifications of leaf cells that produce leaf galls on higher plants are concurrent with changes at the biochemical level. The neoplasmatic alterations affect the composition and concentration of membrane phospho and galactolipids. In vitro labeling of developing leaf galls from oak [induced by cympids (Hymenoptera) on L.] with [¹⁴C]-acetate and [³H]-oleate was used to study the label distribution in monogalactosyldiacylglyceride, digalactosyldiacylglyceride, phospha-tidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol in these tissues and in the normal host organs (leaf laminae). The incorporation of both labels was higher into the leaf galactolipids than into gall galactolipids, whereas the incorporation of oleate was slightly increased in the 2 phospholipids in cynipid galls. The degree of acyl chain unsaturation of individual endogenous phosphoglycerides (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidyletha-nolamine. phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol) was, in most cases, higher in the gall tissues. Differences in the endogenous fatty acid composition of plant polar lipids and the molar concentrations of labeled fatty-acid precursors in galacto- and phospholipids are discussed with regard to modifications of the leaf phenotype and cecidogenesis on Quercus palustris L.     

Cytological ontogenesis and involution of the thymus and head‐kidney in juvenile and old domestic carp: Is ageing in fish a chronological or growth‐related phenomenon?

Samples of the thymus and head-kidney of domestic carp ( Cyprinus carpio ) were studied in order to evaluate the process of functional and cytological change during ageing. We examined larvae from 6 days post-fertilization, 1- to 10-year-old fish from fishponds, and experimentally stunted 15-year-old fish that had attained no more than 100–120 mm total length (TL) and 18–20 g weight. The primordium of the thymus appears 6 days after fertilization as a group of non-specialized cells 0.8 mm³ in volume. Differentiation of cell types, especially thymocytes, starts in fry of 6 mm TL, and the thymus continues to enlarge, attaining 200 mm³ (±3.4 mm³) in 8-year-old fish of 550 mm TL. Throughout its development the thymus remains active, containing various forms of reticulocytes and thymocytes. The head-kidney appears in pre-hatching embryos on either side of the pharynx as renal units, each with a single glomerulus and a short renal tubule. During development the protonephridia pass through three functional stages: (1) excretory, as the primordial kidney, (2) in a mixed renal and glandular function, producing blood cells and adrenergic cells, and (3) in young fish of 80 mm TL and above, they continue to function as blood producing and endocrine organs. At this last stage the renal elements become degraded. The largest head-kidney measured had a volume of 8 cm³ (±0.8 cm³) in an 8-year-old fish weighing 6.5 kg. Retention of thymal cytological integrity in reproductive older carp and other fish would indicate that ageing in fish, and possibly also in other exothermic vertebrates, is not simply a time-related phenomenon, thereby differing greatly from similar processes in endothermic vertebrate.     

Spatial variations in nutrient supply to the red algae Eucheuma serra (J. Agardh) J. Agardh

The nutrient supply rates within the canopy of the economically important red algal species, Eucheuma serra J. Agardh were determined experimentally in a recirculating flow-chamber. A single individual was placed in the working section of the 2000 × 200 × 250 mm³ acrylic flow-chamber and subjected to unidirectional water velocities from 1.0 to 9.3 cm s⁻¹. Rates of nutrient supply were determined using 9.7 mm diameter CaSO₄ (gypsum) spheres that were attached to the thallus inside and outside of the canopy. The supply rates within the canopy were 56% less than outside of the canopy. Increases in internal and external water velocity asymptotically increased the nutrient supply rates regardless of location. A model was developed to examine how changes in ammonium and nitrate supply compared with the physiologically maximum uptake rates of these nutrients. The results suggest that when the ammonium concentration in the water was 20 µmol L⁻¹ uptake rates were limited by the supply rate especially at velocities below 5 cm s⁻¹, whereas in the case of 20 µmol L⁻¹ of nitrate, the supply of nitrate was more than adequate to maximize nutrient uptake.     

Winter growth of juvenile plaice on the Port Erin Bay (Isle of Man) nursery ground

Juvenile plaice ( Pleuronectes platessa ) were studied in Port Erin Bay, Isle of Man, U.K. between September and March 1989/1990 and 1990/1991. Plaice (>90 mm) were tagged and individual growth rates calculated for the autumn, winter and over-winter time periods. During the study the population of fish >90 mm remained fairly stable both within a study season and between years. Autumn growth rates ranged from 0 to 0.39 mm day⁻¹ (mean₁₉₈₉=0.13 mm day⁻¹, mean₁₉₉₀=0.10 mm day ⁻¹) and winter 0 to 0.5 mm day⁻¹ (mean₁₉₉₀=0.11 mm day⁻¹ and mean₁₉₉₁=0.17 mm day ⁻¹). In general, growth rates were higher at higher mean seasonal temperatures. However, relative growth rate was significantly higher in the colder winter period of 1991 than 1990.     

Water-relation parameters of giant and normal cells of Capsicum annuum pericarp

Abstract. Measurements of the water-relation parameters of the giant subepidermal cells (volume, V = 0.119 to 1.658 mm³; = 0.53±0.35 mm³, SD, n = 23) and the smaller mesocarp parenchyma cells ( V = 0.10 to 0.79×10⁻³ mm³; = 0.36±0.27×10⁻³ mm³, SD, n = 6) of the inner pericarp surface of Capsicum annuum L. were made using the Jülich pressure probe. The volumetric elastic modulus ɛ for the large cells was between 1.5 and 27 MPa for a pressure range of 0.09 to 0.41 MPa. For the small cells ɛ was 0.1 to 0.6 MPa for a pressure range of 0.22 to 0.39 MPa. The turgor pressure P , the half-time of water exchange T _1/2, and the hydraulic conductivity L _p were as follows, with SD and number of replicates: large cells, P = 0.27±0.06 MPa (23), T _1/2=2.7±2.2 s (46), L _p=5.8±3.7 pm s⁻¹ Pa⁻ (46); small cells, P = 0.33±0.07 MPa (6), T _1/2= 33±10s (12), L _p=0.21±0.07 pm s⁻¹ Pa⁻¹ (12). The determination of these basic water-relation parameters is considered as a prerequisite for future ecotoxicological and phytopathological studies. The differences between the large and the small cells are discussed in relation to a desirable biophysical definition of succulence. Further, for the large cells a pressure and volume dependence of ɛ was demonstrated.     

The effects of temperature and season on the O2 consumption of third-instar larvae of the goldenrod gall fly (Eurosta solidaginis)

Abstract. Third-instar larvae of the goldenrod gall fly ( Eurosta solidaginis Fitch) live inside ball galls on goldenrod plants from summer to the following spring.Because galls are highly exposed to the weather, larvae experience substantial variations in body temperature.This study documents the oxygen consumption of gall fly larvae with regard to the effects of ambient temperature, seasonal conditioning, and prior exposure to subzero temperature.The body mass of larvae doubles between the late summer and the autumn; it subsequently undergoes a modest decline by early winter.The O₂, consumption of field-acclimatized larvae increases with ambient temperature, especially between 0 and 10°C (Q₁₀= 2.6-3.4).The thermal sensitivity of metabolism declines at higher ambient temperatures, most notably during the autumn/early winter.After exposure to 15°C for 1 week, autumn and early winter larvae maintain much lower rates of O₂ consumption than do late summer specimens.Prior exposure to -5°C for 24 h did not influence the O₂ consumption of larvae.Low thermal sensitivity of O₂ consumption, especially at higher ambient temperatures, is an energy-sparing mechanism during seasonal inactivity.Indeed, the persistence of this metabolic pattern in larvae exposed to 15°C suggests that they have entered a state of diapause.     

Thermoregulation and metabolism in the Cape golden mole (Insectivora: Chrysochloris asiatica)

The Cape golden mole, Chrysochloris asiatica is an insectivore which excavates superficial foraging burrows as it searches for its food. It has a mean (±S.D.) resting metabolic rate (RMR) when newly captured of 1–17±0.17 cm³ O₂g^-1 h^-1 ( n = 14), within the thermoneutral zone (TNZ) of 30–32°C.
The body temperature (Tb) of the mole in the TNZ is low 32.9 ± 0.36 ( n = 14) and remains stable at ambient temperatures (Tas) from 28–32°C. Above 32°C (range 34–37°C), Tb increases albeit slightly to 36 ± 1.75°C ( n = 14). The conductance is high 0.27 ± 006cm³ O₂g^-1 h^-l°C^-1 ( n = 46) at the lower limit of thermoneutrality. The mean RMR at 9°C (the lowest Ta tested) was 4.82±11 cm³ O₂g^-1h^-1, which is 4.1 times that of the RMR in the TNZ.
At an ambient temperature of 9°C, three of the golden moles entered a state of torpor where the RMR was reduced from 5.9±0.56 to 10 1.0 ± 0.69cm³O₂g^-1h^-1.     

Cardio-respiratory morphometrics of spangled perch, Leiopotherapon unicolor (Günther, 1859), (Percoidei, Teraponidae)

The heart of Leiopotherapon unicolor comprises 0.135±0.005% of total body weight compared to the average teleost heart size of 0.081±0.002% body weight. The respiratory surface area of 569 mm² g⁻¹ is also much larger than that found in most freshwater fish. The exponent b in the equation Gill Area = a. body wt^b was evaluated at 1.04, whereas the theoretical value for b is only 0.75. It is therefore evident that L. unicolor has an excessively large gill area and a large heart, which facilitate oxygen uptake in hypoxic environments.     

Epidermal Tissue Homeostasis

Abstract. Toad epidermis is a suitable model for studies on tissue homeostasis because cell pool size, influx into and efflux from the cell pool can be easily determined. the cell pool size was obtained by cell counting on photomicrographs, the influx (cell birth rate) was assessed by the metaphase-arrest technique, and the efflux (cell loss by moulting) assessed by counting the number of cells in the corneal layer and recording of intermoult periods. the importance of the methods for assessing these parameters per square unit of skin surface is emphasized.
These parameters were studied in eight groups of ten adult male toads sacrificed at various hours of the day. There were minor variations in the cell birth rate, fluctuating around a mean of 26 cells/mm²/hr (obtained at the metaphase collection period from 11.00-14.00 hours). By summation of the cell productions during the eight metaphase collection periods of 3 hr, and extrapolation to an intermoult period (time between two moults), a calculated cell production of about 6340 cells/mm² in 10.3 days was obtained, whereas the cell loss at each moult was only 2370 cells/mm². Thus the cell production rate exceeds the rate of cell loss through moults by a factor of 2.7. Arguments are presented that the 'surplus' of cells produced cannot be permanently accommodated within the living epidermis. Consequently a cell deletion rate beyond that by moulting of about 4000 cells/mm² in 10.3 days or 16 cells/mm²/hr can be calculated.
These results are discussed in relation to current concepts of tissue homeostatic mechanism(s). the results are consistent with the hypothesis that controlled cell deletion may be a tissue homeostatic mechanism complementary to controlled cell divisions.     

Effects of river flow on larval growth and survival of Japanese seaperch Lateolabrax japonicus (Pisces) in the Chikugo River estuary, upper Ariake Bay

The abundance and growth history of larval and juvenile Japanese seaperch Lateolabrax japonicus were investigated in the Chikugo River estuary, upper Ariake Bay, from 1990 to 2000. Growth during the larval period (up to 15 mm standard length, L _S, the size at recruitment into the estuary) was backcalculated using sagittal otolith microstructures by the biological intercept method. Growth rates in length declined at body sizes >14 mm L _S. High freshwater discharge through the Chikugo River was associated with high temperatures of the upper Ariake Bay where the larvae spend their planktonic life. Mean larval stage duration (days) from hatch to 15 mm ( D ₁₅) varied between 48·8 and 76·2 days and was inversely correlated with the estimated mean temperature history [mean daily temperature (° C) experienced by the larvae during the period from hatch to 15 mm, T ₁₅]. Mean abundance (number m⁻²) of larvae and juveniles was highest in years when T ₁₅, D ₁₅ and freshwater discharge were at intermediate levels. Although the abundance was not correlated with either of these variables, an exponential relationship between abundance and D ₁₅ was found when data collected during the highest river discharge years (1990, 1991 and 1998) were excluded. The increase in freshwater discharge through the Chikugo River probably had the potential to enhance or diminish Japanese seaperch recruitment in two ways: 1) it could increase recruitment probability by increasing temperature and larval growth and 2) high river flow also had the potential to decrease the probability of immigration into the river by increasing larval seaward dispersion, predation due to decreased turbidity and starvation due to decreased zooplankton prey abundance in the estuary.     

N2(C2H2)-fixation in early stages of a primary succession on a reclaimed salt marsh

Nitrogen fixation activity was determined for Lotus tenuis. Medicago lupulina and Trifolium pratense . The three species grew in clones in grassland in an area reclaimed from brackish water in the 1940s. The N₂[C₂H₂]-fixation was measured in soil cores throughout 1974 and 1975. From cores taken in dense and uniform stands of the species, the yearly N₂[C₂H₂]-fixation at maximum cover was estimated. L. tenuis fixed about 4 g N m⁻² yr⁻¹ (area with max. cover 130%), i.e. 30–56% of its requirement. Both M. lupulina and T. pratense fixed about 7 g N m⁻² yr⁻¹ (maximum cover 37% and 80%) i.e. 67% of their N-requirement. Average N₂[C₂H₂]-fixation for the whole area was 0.4 g N m⁻² yr⁻¹, considerably less than the N-addition through rainfall.     

A STUDY ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE QUANTITY OF HONEYDEW AND THE rmOF GREEN PEACH APHID

Abstract Experiments were carried out to study the relationship between the quantity of honeydew and r_mof green peach aphid infesting 50 tobacco varieties in the field from 1990 to 1992. The results showed that the range for r_m is from 0.102 to 0.498, for honeydew secreted during 24 hours is 3.862 mm²/aphid to 29. 356 mm²/aphid. It also showed that the resistance of tobacco varieties to green peach aphid manifested in the reduction of net reproductive rate. Both r_m and honeydew had significant relations to the population of green peach aphid in the field, and therefore the quantity of honeydew can be used as an index in determination of tobacco resistance to green peach aphid.     

Effect of organic loading on nitrification and denitrification in a marine sediment microcosm

Abstract The effects of organic additions on nitrification and dentrification were examined in sediment microcosms. The organic material, heat killed yeast, had a C/N ratio of 7.5 and was added to sieved, homogenized sediments. Four treatments were compared: no addition (control), 30 g dry weight (dw) m⁻² mixed throughout the 10 cm sediment column (30M), 100 g dw m⁻² mixed throughout sediments (100M), and 100 g dw m⁻² mixed into top 1 cm (100S). After the microcosms had been established for 7–11 days, depth of O₂ penetration, sediment-water fluxes and nitrification rates were measured. Nitrification rates were measured using three different techniques: N-serve and acetylene inhibition in intact cores, and nitrification potentials in slurris. Increased organic additions decreased O₂ penetration from 2.7 to 0.2 mm while increasing both O₂ consumption, from 30 to 70 mmol O₂ m⁻² d⁻¹, and NO₃⁻ flux into sediments. Nitrification rates in intact cores were similar for the two methods. Highest rates occurred in the 30M treatment, while the lowest rate was measured in the 100S treatment. Total denitrification rates (estimated from nitrification and nitrate fluxes) increased with increased organic addition, because of the high concentrations of NO₃⁻ (40 μM) in the overlaying water. The ratio of nitrification: denitrification was used as an indication of the importance of nitrification as the NO₃⁻ supply for denitrificaion. This ratio decreased from 1.55 to 0.05 iwth increase organic addition.