Abstract
Relative rates of the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter in the upper 10 cm of sediment from two stations in central Long Island Sound, USA, were compared. Sediment samples from discrete depth intervas were incubated anoxically and changes in SO =4 , NH +4 , bacterial numbers, extractable adenosine triphosphate (ATP), organic matter, and organic carbon were measured as a function of time and temperature. At both stations (∼15 and ∼34 m water-depths, respectively), the calculated rates of SO =4 reduction and NH +4 production decreased exponentially (approximately) with depth below the sediment-water interface. Over the same depth interval, ATP concentrations dropped by a factor of ∼6 to 7 and bacterial numbers were lower by a factor of 2 to 3. These decreases in SO =4 reduction, NH +4 production, bacterial numbers, and ATP, reflect a change in the physiological state of microbial populations with depth in the sediment and are consistent with the conclusions that the quantity of easily utilizable organic matter changes rapidly below the sediment surface and that food limitation controls the basic depth distribution of microbial activity. The average rates of SO =4 reduction, ∼29 to 39 mM year-1 (22°C), in the top 10 cm are similar at both stations studied here, as well as at an additional station from a previous study. In contrast, average NH +4 production differs by a factor of ∼2 at the two stations, reflecting differences in the C:N ratio of the organic matter supplied to the sediment surface and differences in particle reworking by macrofauna at each site. The apparent activation energy of SO =4 reduction was 19±1 kcal mole-1 and that of NH +4 production, 18±3 kcal mole-1. The overall quantity of carbon required to support the calculated average SO =4 reduction rate in the top 10 cm is 23 g C m-2 year-1 and represents ∼36% of all the carbon available to the benthos annually and ∼11% of the net primary production in the water column. Directly measured fluxes of NH +4 from sediments to overlying water at both stations agree well with those predicted from production rates obtained by the incubation techniques.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature Cited
Abd-el-Malek, Y. and Rizk, S. G.: Bacterial sulphate reduction and the development of alkalinity, I, II, III. J. appl. Bact. 26, 7–13; 14–19; 20–26 (1963)
Aller, R. C.: The influence of macrobenthos on chemical diagenesis of marine sediments, 600 pp. Ph.D. thesis, Yale University, Connecticut 1977
Aller, R. C.: Diagenetic processes near the sediment-water interface of Long Island Sound, I: Decomposition and nutrient element geochemistry (S,N,P): Adv. Geophys. 22, (In press)
Aller, R. C., L. K. Benninger and J. K. Cochran: Tracking particle associated processes in nearshore environments by use of 234Th/238U disequilibrium. Earth planet. Sci. Letters (1980), (In press)
Aller, R. C. and J. K. Cochran: 234Th/238U disequilibrium in nearshore sediment: particle reworking and diagenetic time scales. Earth planet: Sci. Letters 29, 37–50 (1976)
Aller, R. C. and J. Y. Yingst: Biogeochemistry of tube dwellings: a study of the sedentary polychaete Amphitrite ornata (Leidy). J. mar. Res. 36, 201–254 (1978)
Allgeier, R. J., W. H. Peterson, C. Juday and E. A. Berge: The anaerobic fermentation of lake deposits. Int. Revue ges. Hydrobiol. 26, 444–461 (1932)
Anderson, D. Q.: Distribution of organic matter in marine sediments and its availability to further decomposition. J. mar. Res. 2, 225–235 (1939)
Benninger, L. K., R. C. Aller, J. K. Cochran and K. K. Turekian: Effects of biological sediment mixing on the 210Pb chronology and trace metal distribution in a Long Island Sound sediment core. Earth planet. Sci. Letters 43, 241–259 (1979)
Ben-Yaakov, S.: pH buffering of pore water of recent anoxic marine sediments. Limnol. Oceanogr. 18, 86–94 (1973)
Berner, R. A.: Sedimentary pyrite formation. Am. J. Sci. 268, 1–23 (1970)
Berner, R. A.: The benthic boundary layer from the viewpoint of a geochemist. In: The benthic boundary layer, pp 33–55. Ed. by I. N. McCave. New York: Plenum Publishing Corporation (1976a)
Berner, R. A.: Inclusion of adsorption in the modelling of early diagenesis. Earth Planet. Sci. Letters 29, 333–340 (1976b)
Berner, R. A., M. R. Scott and C. Thomlinson: Carbonate alkalinity in the pore waters of anoxic marine sediments. Limnol. Oceanogr. 15, 544–549 (1970)
Billen, G.: A budget of nitrogen recycling in North Sea sediments off the Belgian coast. Estuar. cstl mar. Sci. 7, 127–146 (1978)
Christensen, J. P. and T. T. Packard: Sediment metabolism from the northwest African upwelling system. Deep-Sea Res. 24, 331–343 (1977)
Christian, R. R., K. Bancroft and W. J. Wiebe: Distribution of microbial adenosine triphosphate in salt marsh sediments at Sapelo Island, Georgia. Soil Sci. 119, 89–97 (1975)
Dale, N. G.: Bacteria in intertidal sediments: factors related to their distribution. Limnol. Oceanogr. 19, 509–518 (1974)
Dean, W. E., Jr.: Determination of carbonate and organic matter in calcareous sediments and sedimentary rocks by loss on ignition: comparison with other methods. J. sedim. Petrol. 44, 242–248 (1974)
Degobbis, D.: On the storage of seawater samples for ammonia determination. Limnol. Oceanogr. 18, 146–150 (1973)
Emery, K. O. and S. C. Rittenberg: Early diagenesis of California basin sediments in relation to origin of oil. Bull. Am. Ass. Petrol. Geol. 36, 735–806 (1952)
Gardner, L. R.: Chemical models for sulfate reduction in closed anaerobic marine environments. Geochim. cosmochim. Acta 37, 53–68 (1973)
Gieskes, J. M. and W. C. Rogers: Alkalinity determination in interstitial waters of marine sediments. J. sedim. Petrol. 43, 272–277 (1973)
Goldhaber, M. B., R. C. Aller, J. K. Cochran, J. K. Rosenfeld, C. S. Martens and R. A. Berner: Sulfate reduction, diffusion and bioturbation in Long Island Sound sediments: report of the FOAM group. Am. J. Sci. 277, 193–237 (1977)
Goldhaber, M. B. and I. R. Kaplan: Controls and consequences of sulfate reduction rates in recent marine sediments. Soil Sci. 119, 42–55 (1975)
Gunkel, W. and C. H. Oppenheimer: Experiments regarding the sulfide formation in sediments of the Texas Gulf Coast. In: Symposium on marine microbiology, pp 674–684. Ed. by C. H. Oppenheimer. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas. 1963
Hargrave, B. T.: Aerobic decomposition of sediment and detritus as a function of particle surface area and organic content. Limnol. Oceanogr. 17, 583–596 (1972)
Harris, E. and G. A. Riley: Oceanography of Long Island Sound, 1952–1954. VIII-Chemical composition of the plankton, Bull. Bingham oceanogr. Coll. 15, 315–323 (1956)
Hartwig, E. O.: The impact of nitrogen and phosphorus release from a siliceous sediment on the overlying water. In: Estuarine processes, Vol. I. pp 103–117. Ed. by M. L. Wiley. New York: Academic Press 1976
Hobbie, J. E., R. J. Daley and S. Jasper: Use of Nuclepore filters for counting bacteria by fluorescence microscopy. Appl. envirl Microbiol. 33, 1225–1228 (1977)
Jørgensen, B. B.: The sulfur cycle of a coastal marine sediment (Limfjørden, Denmark). Limnol. Oceanogr. 22, 814–831 (1977a)
Jørgensen, B. B.: Bacterial sulfate reduction within reduced microniches of oxidized marine sediments. Mar. Biol. 41, 7–17 (1977b)
Jørgensen, B. B. and T. Cohen: Solar Lake (Sinai). V. The sulfur cycle of the benthic cyanobacterial mats. Limnol. Oceanogr. 22, 657–666 (1977)
Jørgensen, B. B. and T. Fenchel: The sulfur cycle of a marine sediment model system. Mar. Biol. 24, 189–201 (1974)
Kaplan, I. R., K. O. Emery and S. C. Rittenberg: The distribution and isotopic abundance of sulfur in recent marine sediments off southern California. Geochim. cosmochim. Acta 27, 297–331 (1963)
Kaplan, I. R. and S. C. Rittenberg: Microbiological fractionation of sulfur isotopes. J. gen. Microbiol. 34, 195–212 (1964)
Kato, K.: Chemical investigations on marine humus in bottom sediments. Mem. Fac. Fish, Hokkaido Univ. 4, 91–209 (1956)
Krause, H. R.: Biochemische Untersuchungen über den postmortalen Abbau von totem Plankton unter aeroben und anaeroben Bildingungen. Arch. Hydrobiol. 24, 297–337 (1957)
Lloyd, B.: Muds of the Clyde Sea area. II. Bacterial content. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 17, 751–765 (1931)
Martens, C. S. and R. A. Berner: Methane production in the interstitial waters of sulfate-depleted marine sediments. Science, N.Y. 185, 1167–1169 (1974)
Martens, C. S., R. A. Berner and J. K. Rosenfeld: Interstitial water chemistry of anoxic Long Island Sound sediments. 2. Nutrient regeneration and phosphate removal. Limnol. Oceanogr. 23, 605–617 (1978)
McCall, P. C.: Community patterns and adaptive strategies of the infaunal benthos of Long Island Sound. J. mar. Res. 35, 221–226 (1977)
Miller, L. P.: Tolerance of sulfate-reducing bacteria to hydrogen sulfide. Contr. Boyce Thomson Inst. Pl. Res. 16, 73–83 (1950)
Mortland, M. M. and A. R. Wolcott: Sorption of inorganic nitrogen compounds by soil materials. Agron. Monogr. 10, 150–197 (1965)
Nakai, N. and M. L. Jensen: The kinetic isotope effect in the bacterial reduction and oxidation of sulphur. Geochim. cosmochim. Acta 28, 1893–1912 (1964)
Nedwell, D. B. and G. D. Floodgate: The effect of microbial activity upon the sedimentary sulphur cycle. Mar. Biol. 16, 192–200 (1972)
Nixon, S. W., C. A. Oviatt and S. S. Hale: Nitrogen regeneration and the metabolism of coastal marine bottom communities. In: The role of terrestrial and aquatic organisms in decomposition processes, pp 269–283. Ed. by J. M. Anderson and A. Macfadyed. London: Blackwell Scientific Publication 1976. (Proc. 17th Symp. Br. ecol. Sco.)
Nõmmik, H.: Ammonium fixation and other reactions involving a non-enzymatic immobilization of mineral nitrogen in soil. Agron. Monogr. 10, 198–258, 1965
Olanczuk-Neyman, K. M. and J. H. Vosjan: Measuring respiratory election-transport-system activity in marine sediment. Neth. J. Sea Res. 11, 1–13 (1977)
Oppenheimer, C. H.: Bacterial activity in sediments of shallow marine bays. Geochim. cosmochim. Acta 19, 244–260 (1960)
Orr, W. L. and A. G. Gaines: Observations on rate of sulfate reduction and organic matter oxidation in the bottom waters of an estuarine basin: the upper basin of the Pettaquamscutt River (Rhode Island). Adv. org. Geochem. 1973, 791–812 (1974)
Pamatmat, M. M.: Benthic community metabolism: a review and assessment of present status and outlook. In: Belle W. Baruch Symposium on the Ecology of Marine Benthos, pp 89–111. Ed. by B. C. Coull. Columbia, South Carolina: University of South Carolina Press 1977
Pamatmat, M. M. and H. R. Skjoldal: Dehydrogenase activity and adenosine triphosphate concentration of marine sediments in Lindapollene, Norway. Sarsia 56, 1–12 (1974)
Ramm, A. E. and D. A. Bella: Sulfide production in anaerobic microcosms. Limnol. Oceanogr. 19, 110–118 (1974)
Reuszer, H. W.: Distribution of bacteria in the ocean waters and muds about Cape Cod. Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole 65, 480–497 (1933)
Rhoads, D. C., R. C. Aller and M. Goldhaber: The influence of colonizing benthos on physical properties and chemical diagenesis of the estuarine seafloor. In: Belle Baruch Sumposium on the Ecology of Marine Benthos, pp 113–138. Ed. by B. C. Coull. Columbia, South Carolina: University of south Carolina Press 1977
Rhoads, D. C., P. L. McCall and J. Y. Yingst: Disturbance and production on the estuarine seafloor. Am. Scient. 66, 577–586 (1978)
Richards, F. A.: Anoxic basins and fjords. In: Chemical oceanography, Vol. 1. pp 611–645. Ed. by J. P. Riley and O. Skirrow. New York: Academic Press 1965
Rickard, D. T.: Kinetics and mechanism of the sulfidation of goethite. Am. J. Sci. 274, 941–952 (1974)
Riley, G. A.: Oceanography of Long Island Sound, 1952–1954. II. Physical oceanography. Bull. Bingham oceanogr. Coll. 15, 15–46 (1956a)
Riley, G. A.: Oceanography of Long Island Sound, 1952–1954. IX. Production and utilization of organic matter. Bull. Bingham oceanogr. Coll. 15, 324–344 (1956b)
Rittenberg, S. C.: Bacteriological analysis of some long cores of marine sediments. J. mar. Res. 3, 191–201 (1940)
Rosenfeld, J. K.: Nitrogen diagenesis in nearshore anoxic sediments, 191 pp. Ph.D. thesis, Yale University, Connecticut 1977
Rosenfeld, J. K.: Ammonium adsorption in nearshore anoxic sediments. Limnol. Oceanogr. 24, 356–364 (1979)
Rowe, G. T., C. H. Cliford, K. L. Smith, Jr. and P. L. Hamilton: Benthic nutrient regeneration and its coupling to primary productivity in coastal waters. Nature, Lond. 255, 215–217 (1975)
Sandkvist, A.: Microbiological investigation of modern Dutch tidal sediments. Stockh. Contr. Geol. 15, 68–113 (1968)
Smith, K. L., Jr.: Benthic community respiration in the N.W. Atlantic Ocean: in situ measurements from 40 to 5200 m. Mar. Biol. 47, 337–347 (1978)
Solórzano, L.: Determination of ammonia in natural waters by the phenol hypochlorite method. Limnol. Oceanogr. 14, 799–801 (1969)
Sorokin, Y. I.: Experimental investigation of bacterial sulphate reduction in the Black Sea using S35. Mikrobiologiya 31, 329–335 (1962)
Trask, P. D.: Origin and environment of source sediments of petroleum, 323 pp. Houston, Texas. American Petroleum Institute, Gulf Publishing Co. 1932
Trudinger, P. A., I. B. Lambert and G. W. Skying: Biogenic sulfide ores: a feasibility study. Econ. Geol. 67, 1114–1127 (1972)
Vosjan, J. H.: Sulfate in water and sediment of the Dutch Wadden Sea. Neth. J. Sea Res. 8, 208–213 (1974)
Waksman, S. A.: On the distribution of organic matter in the sea bottom and the chemical nature and origin of marine humus. Soil Sci. 36, 125–147 (1933)
Waksman, S. A. and H. Hotchkiss: On the oxidation of organic matter in marine sediments by bacteria. J. mar. Res. 1, 101–118 (1938)
Waksman, S. A., H. W. Reuszer, C. L. Carey, M. Hotchkiss and C. E. Renn: Bacteriological investigations of sea water and marine bottoms. Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole 64, 183–205 (1933)
Watson, S. W., T. J. Novitsky, H. L. Quinby and F. W. Valois: Determination of bacterial number and biomass in the marine environment. Appl. envir. Microbiol. 33, 940–946 (1977)
Wheatland, A. B.: Factors affecting the formation and oxidation of sulphides in a polluted estuary. J. Hyg., Camb. 52, 194–210 (1954)
Wieser, W. and M. Zech: Dehydrogenases as tools in the study of marine sediments. Mar. Biol. 36, 113–122 (1976)
Wirsen, C. O. and H. W. Jannasch: Microbial transformation of some 14-C substrates in coastal water and sediment. Microb. Ecol. 1, 25–37 (1974)
Wirsen, C. O. and H. W. Jannasch: Decomposition of solid organic materials in the deep sea. Envir. Sci. Technol. 10, 880–886 (1976)
Yingst, J. Y.: Patterns of micro- and meiofaunal abundance in marine sediments, measured with the adenosine triphosphate assay. Mar. Biol. 47, 41–54 (1978)
Yingst, J. Y. and D. C. Rhoads: The role of bioturbation in the enhancement of microbial turnover rates in marine sediments. In: Marine benthic dynamics. Ed. by K. R. Tenore and B. C. Coull. Columbia, South Carolina: University of South Carolina Press (In press)
ZoBell, C. E.: Studies on the bacterial flora of marine bottom sediments. J. sedim. Petrol. 8, 10–18 (1938)
ZoBell, C. E. and D. Q. Anderson: Vertical distribution of bacteria in marine sediments. Bull. Am. Ass. Petrol. Geol. 20, 258–269 (1936)
ZoBell, C. E. and C. B. Feltham: The bacterial ecology of a marine mud flat as an ecological factor. Ecology 23, 69–78 (1942)
ZoBell, C. E. and S. C. Rittenberg: Sulphate reducing bacteria in marine sediments. J. mar. Res. 7, 606–617 (1948)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by I. Morris, West Boothbay Harbor
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Aller, R.C., Yingst, J.Y. Relationships between microbial distributions and the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter in surface sediments of long Island Sound, USA. Mar. Biol. 56, 29–42 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00390591
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00390591