Denitrifïcations in Sediments from the Hyporheic Zone Adjacent to a Small Forested Stream

Abstract

Denitrification was assayed by the acetylene blockage technique in hyporheic sediments. Samples were obtained along transects perpendicular to the stream at two sites: (1) the base of a slope dominated by old-growth redwood and (2) the base of a slope dominated by alder regenerating from a clearcut in 1965. Denitrification was evident at in situ nitrate concentrations at all locations tested. Activity was stimulated by nitrate but nitrate plus glucose had no additional effect. Denitrifying potentials increased with increasing distance from the stream channel. Dissolved oxygen was 100% of the concentration expected in equilibrium with the atmosphere in water obtained from monitoring wells immediately adjacent to the stream but was as low as 7% of the expected value in water 11.4 m inland. Both nitrate and dissolved organic carbon decreased over summer in wells at the base of the alder-forested slope. A 48-h injection of nitrate-amended stream water into hyporheic water 8.4 m inland stimulated nitrous oxide production in the presence of acetylene. Nitrous oxide was generated as nitrate and acetylene were co-transported to a well 13 m down-gradient. The acetylene-block experiments coupled with the chemistry data suggest that denitrification can modify the chemistry of water during passage through the hyporheic zone.