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Distribution of nitrifying activity in the Seine River (France) from Paris to the estuary
Brion, N.; Billen, G.; Guézennec, J.; Ficht, A. (2000). Distribution of nitrifying activity in the Seine River (France) from Paris to the estuary. Estuaries 23(5): 669-682
In: Estuaries. The Estuarine Research Federation, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory: Columbia, S.C., etc.,. ISSN 0160-8347; e-ISSN 1559-2758, more
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
Keywords
    Ammonium compounds
    Chemical reactions > Nitrification
    Energy flow
    Motion > Tidal motion > Tides
    Particulates > Suspended particulate matter
    Wastewater
    Wastewater disposal
    Water bodies > Coastal waters > Coastal landforms > Coastal inlets > Estuaries
    Water bodies > Inland waters > Rivers
    Bacteria [WoRMS]
    ANE, France, Haute-Normandie [Marine Regions]; ANE, France, Seine Estuary [Marine Regions]; France [Marine Regions]; France, Haute-Normandie [Marine Regions]; France, Seine R. [Marine Regions]
    Brackish water; Fresh water
Authors  Top 
  • Brion, N., more
  • Billen, G., more
  • Guézennec, J.
  • Ficht, A.
Abstract
    The distribution of nitrification has been measured with the H14CO3- incorporation method in the Seine River and its estuary during summer conditions. The Seine River below Paris receives large amounts of ammonium through wastewater discharge. In the river itself, this ammonium is only slowly nitrified, while in the estuary nitrification is rapid and complete. We show that this contrasting behavior is related to the different hydrosedimentary conditions of the two systems, as nitrifying bacteria are associated with suspended particles. In the river, particles and their attached bacteria either rapidly settle or have a sestonic behavior. Because of the short residence times of the water masses, the dow growing nitrifying population has no time to develop sufficiently to nitrify the available ammonium. The estuary is characterized by strong tidal dynamics. Particles settle and are resuspended continuously with the strong current inversions of ebb and hood. As a result of these dynamics, particles and their attached nitrifying bacteria experience longer residence times in a temporary suspended state than the water masses themselves, providing to slow growing nitrifying bacteria the opportunity to develop a large population capable of nitrifying all the available ammonium.
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