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The nitrogen budget of a salt marsh ecosystem

Nature volume 280, pages 652–656 (1979)Cite this article

Abstract

Salt marshes reduce oxidised nitrogenous compounds to ammonium and paniculate nitrogen and export these reduced forms to coastal waters. The internal demands exceed the net inputs of nitrogen by rain, groundwater flow and fixation, suggesting very active uptake, conversion, release and recycling of nitrogen within a marsh ecosystem. Nitrogen losses are mainly through tidal exchanges and denitrification, and these two outputs balance the gains. The chemical exchanges among uplands, marshes and coastal water are important in structuring these ecosystems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Boston University Marine Program, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts

    Ivan Valiela & John M. Teal

  2. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, 02543

    Ivan Valiela & John M. Teal

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  1. Ivan Valiela
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  2. John M. Teal
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Valiela, I., Teal, J. The nitrogen budget of a salt marsh ecosystem. Nature 280, 652–656 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1038/280652a0

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