Interactions of Mn, Fe, N and S Cycles in Suboxic/Anoxic Zones

University Of Delaware, Newark DE

Investigators

Abstract

A researcher from the University of Delaware will participate in two cruises to the Black Sea to conduct a biogeochemical study of the stoichiometries, rates and microbial involvement for reactions of reduced sulfur compounds with Mn (III, IV) and Fe (III) phases and for chemo-denitrification reactions (NO3- with Mn2+ and NH4+ with Mn3+, Mn4+) in suboxic ocean regions. The PI also will carry out similar experiments in Chesapeake Bay to evaluate these reactions in a suboxic/anoxic environment where Fe concentrations are comparable with Mn values and thus can compete with Mn/N/S interactions. Research from this study will result in high resolution nutrient, Mn/Fe and sulfur species data in suboxic and anoxic zones of the Black Sea and Chesapeake Bay using an in-situ voltammetric analyzer that can measure the redox species simultaneously. In addition, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Washington and from Scripps, the PI will link the presence of chemical parameters to in-situ microbes by determining the distributions of sulfur oxidizing, nitrifying, denitrifying and anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria.