Denitrification in a salt marsh ecosystem1

Abstract

The rate of denitrification measured throughout the year in various habitats of a New England salt marsh was correlated to temperature and was highest in the wettest habitats. Over 60% of the denitrification took place in the muddy creek bottoms. Annual denitrification exceeds nitrogen fixation. An amount of nitrate similar to the quantity consumed by denitrifiers is supplied by the flow of groundwater into the marsh and by nitrifiers within the marsh itself.