Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026

Estimating Sediment Denitrification Rates Using Cores and N2O Microsensors
Published on: December 6, 2018
[Effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on the vertical distribution of denitrifying genes in river sediments]
Yan-Yang Wu1, Qun-He Wu, Shan Huang
1School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China. sysuwyy@yahoo.com
Abstract:
To establish the relationship between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and various stages of denitrification under denitrifying conditions in sediments, we examined the impact of PAHs on the vertical distribution of special denitrifying genes. In March of 2011, sediment samples were collected from three representative locations along the Pearl River. The characteristics of vertical distribution of PAHs as well as denitrifying genes in the sediment samples were analyzed. Based on these vertical characteristics, relationships between PAHs and special denitrifying genes (narG, nirS, nosZ and nrfA) were established using the multivariate method. Results of canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed a close correlation between high ring PAHs and dissimilatory nitrate reduction. The impact of PAHs on nosZ was the most significant, namely PAHs imposed strong inhibition on the nitrite reduction stage. Except for the nitrite reduction stage, denitrifying bacteria from other stages of denitrification acclimatized themselves to the high ring PAHs. Especially, bacteria containing nrfA may have the potential to anaerobically degrade high ring PAHs. Besides this, the special role of nirS remains to be studied further.
More Related Videos
08:05Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O
Published on: October 7, 2020
13:16A Whole Cell Bioreporter Approach to Assess Transport and Bioavailability of Organic Contaminants in Water Unsaturated Systems
Published on: December 24, 2014
Related Concept Videos
Bioremediation
Microbial Bioremediation of Hydrocarbons
Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs
Microbial Bioremediation of Pesticides
Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation
Microbial Bioremediation of Uranium