Degradation dynamics and bioavailability of land-based dissolved organic nitrogen in the Bohai Sea: Linking experiment with modeling

Abstract

Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) is the major nitrogen form in the Bohai Sea. Land-based DON is released into the nitrogen pool and degraded by planktonic microbiota in coastal ocean. In this study, we evaluated the degradation of land-based DON, particularly its dynamics and bioavailability, in coastal water by linking experiment and modeling. Results showed that the degradation rate constant of DON from sewage treatment plant was significantly faster than those of other land-based sources (P<0.05). DON was classified into three categories based on dynamics and bioavailability. The supply of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) pool from the DON pool of Liao River, Hai River, and Yellow River was explored using a 3D hydrodynamic multi-DON biogeochemical model in the Bohai Sea. In the model, large amounts of DIN were supplied from DON of Liao River than the other rivers because of prolonged flushing time in Liaodong Bay.

Keywords: Bioavailability; Biogeochemical model; Bohai Sea; Degradation dynamics; Dissolved organic nitrogen.