Pelagic nitrification and denitrification rates in an Arctic fjord during early spring

This study addresses factors governing nitrification and denitrification rates, along with the abundance of the bacterial groups likely involved in these activities, in Kongsfjorden, an Arctic fjord at Ny-Alesund, Svalbard. The fjord was sampled three times during the month of March 2008 as day length and direct solar radiation increased. Although initially well mixed, cooler and more saline, the fjord became stratified, warmer and less saline during late March. The concentrations of NH4 + (4.4 ± 1.6 to 6 ± 1.6 μM) and NO2 − (1 ± 0.3 to 1.2 ± 0.4 μM) increased progressively with the decrease in NO3 − (6.1 ± 1.3 to 3.8 ± 1.5 μM), reflecting the onset of primary productivity. Nitrification rates and the culturable population of nitrifiers decreased significantly from 1.6 ± 0.9 to 0.4 ± 0.1 ng at NH4 +-N l−1 h−1 and 5.1 ± 0.3 × 102 to 29 ± 14 cells l−1, respectively. In contrast, denitrification rates increased (2.4 ± 0.5 to 4.6 ± 1.3 ng-at NO3 −-N l−1 h−1), although the abundance of culturable denitrifiers did not vary significantly. A significant correlation of nitrifiers with NO3 − during early March (p < 0.01, r = 0.51) indicated that nitrifiers may play an important role in regulating the NO3 − pool and thereby in controlling the abundance of denitrifiers. However, the contribution of nitrification to the total NO3 − pool decreased with time. Experimental simulations were also set up to understand the impact of change in duration of light and progressive increase in temperature on these processes. The application of 24 h light inhibited nitrification, suggesting that during peak Arctic summer the contribution of nitrification to the nitrate pool is minimal. It was also observed that a brief exposure to light (≤6 h) was enough to hamper nitrification rates. Experimental simulations suggested that a gradual increase in temperature in the fjord may enhance the magnitude of nitrification and denitrification in the fjord.