The depth-specific significance and relative abundance of anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria in estuarine sediments (Medway Estuary, UK)

Abstract

Variations in the overall and depth-specific significance of anammox were measured using (15) N isotope experiments in both bioirrigated and undisturbed sediments of the Medway Estuary, UK. This was performed over two surveys, alongside FISH experiments, to identify and track shifts in the relative abundance of anammox organisms with depth. In Survey 1 (initially screening for the presence of anammox), the potential for anammox (ra) decreased from 32% upstream to 6% downstream. In Survey 2, depth-specific values of ra varied between a maximum of 37% upstream and a minimum of 4% downstream. This was linked to a small population of anammox organisms accounting for < 1-8% of total bacteria with depth in Survey 1 and < 1-3% in Survey 2. The relationship between the relative abundance of anammox cells and the potential contribution of anammox to total N(2) production did not however correlate. In Survey 2, infaunal disruption of the sediment substrata, and concomitant fluctuations of O(2) over depth, did not appear to inhibit the potential for anammox, even at the most bioturbated site. Moreover, deficits detected in the retrieval of (15) N gas from denitrification in Survey 2 may imply potential links between dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium and anammox in estuarine sediments.