Nutrient Cycling in Sandy Beaches

Pugh, K.B.

doi:10.1007/978-94-017-2938-3_16

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…1982, Pugh 1983, McLachlan and McGwynne 1986; however, we have observed high nutrient input through some beaches to open coastal waters (Table 1), as have other researchers Bautista 1985, Capone andSlater 1988). Even low-energy wave action along these beaches will quickly mix and dilute the high levels of nitrate that percolate in with groundwater.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 59%

Increased macrophyte nitrate reductase activity as a consequence of groundwater input of nitrate through sandy beaches

Maier

Pregnall

1990

Mar. Biol.

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Abstract. While most marine macrophytes preferentially assimilate ammonium to meet growth demand for nitrogen, some also utilize nitrate and exhibit high nitrate reductase activity (NRA). Although nitrate concentrations are often low in coastal waters during the summer and sandy beaches are generally considered to be low nutrient-input habitats, we have observed elevated NRA in leaves of some eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) plants growing immediately adjacent to the shoreline. We postulated that nitrate may become available to eelgrass and macroalgae via groundwater inputs that enter the nearshore water column. To address this possibility, we investigated the availability of groundwater nitrate for the induction of NRA in the leaves of eelgrass and in the macroalgae Sargassum filipendula C. Agardh (Phaeophyceae) and Enteromorpha intestinalis L. Link (Chlorophyceae) collected adjacent to two sandy beaches in the vicinity of Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA. Induction of NRA was determined in the laboratory for eelgrass collected from one of the beach sites and from an offshore site, Lackey's Bay, which is isolated from groundwater input. At the two beach locations, pore water nitrate concentrations were 100 to 400 #M within a few meters inland from the waterline. Nitrate efflux into the nearshore water column was quite high and variable (2160 ± 660 #tool m-2 h-1) when associated with rapid percolation (37 ___ 11 1 m-2 h-t) of nitrate-enriched pore water. Turbulent wave mixing rapidly diluted the nitrate. Macroalgae and eelgrass growing adjacent to a beach with high nitrate efflux had NR activities three-to sevenfold higher than those of algae and eelgrass growing along a beach section with low nitrate efflux. NRA of eelgrass plants from Lackey's Bay and Great Harbor increased in response to low daily nitrate additions (10 to 25 #M) in the laboratory, with higher nitrate additions (50 to 200/~M) yielding less dramatic responses. The increase in NRA was roughly three times higher for Great Harbor than for Lackey's Bay eelgrass. It appears that * Please address all correspondence and requests for reprints to Dr Pregnall groundwater input of nitrate is sufficient to induce NRA in marine macrophytes growing near some beaches, including those with turbulent wave mixing.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 59%

Increased macrophyte nitrate reductase activity as a consequence of groundwater input of nitrate through sandy beaches

Maier

Pregnall

1990

Mar. Biol.

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“…Porewater chemical equilibria, in general, are maintained in response to organic loading, storms, biological processes and sand particle size and type (Pugh 1983). In nutrient enrichment experiments porewater nutrient concentrations are the equilibrium between fertilizer dissolution rates, dilution by diffusion and advection and plant uptake rates.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Pilot Study of Nutrient Enriched Sediments in a Cymodocea nodosa Bed Invaded by the Introduced Alga Caulerpa taxifolia

Ceccherelli¹,

Cinelli²

1999

Botanica Marina

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An experiment was performed in a seagrass bed to examine fertilizer efficiency in enhancing porewater nutrient concentration by analysing nutrient concentration at two levels of a slow-release fertilizer addition (3.6 g and 8.4 g) to the sediment in situ. Nutrient concentrations were analysed in porewater samples taken at different times after fertilization. Ammonium porewater concentration was significantly higher in all experimental treatments than in controls even 20 days after fertilization, while phosphate porewater concentration was enhanced only 2 days after fertilization.The nutrient status of Cymodocea nodosa suggested nutrient limitation at the site for the content either in the below ground and above ground tissues compared with the critical ones reported in the literature. Conversely, the results did not indicate nutrient limitation of Caulerpa taxifolia at the site. Phosphate content in the below ground portion of C. taxifolia grown in medium and high fertilization areas was 88 % and 11 % higher than in control areas, while P content in blades at the highest nutrient addition decreased by 65 %. Below ground biomass of C. taxifolia was related to the enrichment gradient, while above ground biomass was independent of enrichment.Brought to you by | University of Alberta Library Authenticated Download Date | 6/29/15 8:48 AM

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“…Sandy beaches are generally characterized by lower content of organic matter and nutrients than sheltered mudflats or subtidal sediments, owing to the high degree of sediment reworking and interstitial water percolation from waves and tides (Eagle 1983, Kaspar 1983, Nowicki & Nixon 1985. While substantial amounts of organic detritus may be cast upon beaches, rapid fragmentation and leaching generally prevent the long-term accumulation of nutrients within beach sediments (Koop et al 1982, Pugh 1983, McLachlan & McGwynne 1986, although distinct enrichment may occur when elevated inputs become chronic (Oliff et al 1970). Because of the rapid regeneration of organic matter, nutrient inputs to the adjacent surf zone may be considerable even though concentrations often remain quite low (McLachlan 1980, 1982, McLachlan et al 1981.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Flux of ammonium from surf-zone and nearshore sediments in Nahant Bay, Massachusetts, USA, in relation to free-living Pilayella littoralis

Pregnall¹,

Miller²

1988

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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The availab~lity of inorganic nitrogen in the surf-zone of Nahant Bay, Massachusetts, USA, was studied in relation to the distribution and decomposition of a free-living population of the filamentous brown alga Pilayella littoralis. Slight ammonium enrichment was evident in the surf zone of one beach location and in the immediate vicinity of a sewage treatment plant outfall. Profiles of sediment ammonium were determined over an annual cycle at 4 mid-intertidal beach sites. Most sites contained sediment ammonium from 0.05 to 0.1 pm01 cm-l, while one site with chronic algal deposition and burial showed greatly elevated sediment ammonium levels (5 6 pm01 cm-3). Efflux of ammonium from deep and shallow subtidal sediments and from intertidal surf-zone sediments was typically 5 1 0 0~m o l m-' h-', except at the site with chronic algal burial and decomposition, where flux of ammonium ranged from 200 to 2000 pm01 m-' h ' Sed~ment concentrations and benthic flux of ammonium from sandy subtidal and surf-zone sediments are generally low in Nahant Bay; however, beaches with chronic deposition and burial of free-living P. littoralis have very high ammonium content and flux owing to the decomposition of algae that have effectively concentrated nitrogen from a much larger area of the bay.

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Nutrient Cycling in Sandy Beaches

Cited by 6 publications

References 14 publications

Increased macrophyte nitrate reductase activity as a consequence of groundwater input of nitrate through sandy beaches

Increased macrophyte nitrate reductase activity as a consequence of groundwater input of nitrate through sandy beaches

A Pilot Study of Nutrient Enriched Sediments in a Cymodocea nodosa Bed Invaded by the Introduced Alga Caulerpa taxifolia

Flux of ammonium from surf-zone and nearshore sediments in Nahant Bay, Massachusetts, USA, in relation to free-living Pilayella littoralis

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