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2495033 
Journal Article 
The effect of abiotic factors on denitrification rates in sediment of Solina Reservoir, Poland 
Gruca-Rokosz, R; Tomaszek, JA 
2007 
1 
Environment Protection Engineering
ISSN: 0324-8828
EISSN: 2450-260X 
33 
2 
131-140 
WOS:000255332500014 
Seasonal variations in denitrification rates (D(tot)) were determined in bottom sediments of the Solina Reservoir using the isotope pairing technique ((15)N IPT). D(tot) rates ranged from about 3 to 163 mu mol N(2) m(-2) h(-1) (at temperature ranging from 6 to 24 degrees C). The denitrification activity at great depths was very weak because temperature there did not exceed 10 degrees C. As a pronounced effect of temperature was observed at all shallow places in the reservoir, temperature may be an important factor controlling denitrification rate. However, a total denitrification rate (D(tot)) is also dependent on by NO(3)(-) and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration in the overlying water, as well as on the availability of sedimentary organic matter. The use of the isotope pairing technique ((15)N IPT) provided an opportunity to distinguish the denitrification of NO(3)(-) diffusing from the overlying water (D(w)) from the coupled nitrification-denitrification within sediment (D(n)). It was possible to observe an influence of such factors as temperature. NO(3)(-) and DO concentration in the overlying water on the contribution of D(w) and D(n) to D(tot).