Spatiotemporal distribution of nitrogen biogeochemical processes in the coastal regions of northern Beibu Gulf, south China sea

Nitrogen biogeochemistry occupies a central role in nitrogen cycles and exerts a significant influence on primary productivity and global carbon cycles. In order to better understand the nitrogen biogeochemistry in coastal regions, spatiotemporal nitrogen fixation, denitrification and anammox were investigated in the coastal regions of northern Beibu Gulf (NBG), South China Sea (SCS). Nitrogen fixation was mainly detected in the water column of outer bays, attributed to the low nitrate concentration and low N/P (N/P < 16). Comparisons of the nitrogen fixation rates between unicellular (<10 mm) and the filamentous diazotrophs (>10 mm) indicated that the contribution of unicellular diazotrophs was more important than filamentous diazotrophs. Besides, field investigation revealed that Richelia was the dominant species in filamentous diazotrophs. On the other hand, both denitrification and anammox were found in the surface sediment and denitrification dominated the nitrogen loss process. Denitrification was mainly related to the nitrate concentration in pore water and organic matter in the sediment, while anammox was mainly regulated by the concentration of nitrate and nitrite in pore water. Additionally, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO) and salinity also had an impact on denitrification and anammox. The net areal yield of nitrogen biogeochemical processes was estimated to be -1079t/a, as an important pathway of nitrogen removal. This study adds to the knowledge of nitrogen biogeochemistry in the nutrient-replete coastal region and highlights its significance in such an environment.