Nitrate requirement for acetylene inhibition of nitrous oxide reduction in marine sediments.

The inhibition of nitrous oxide (N2O) reduction by acetylene (C2H2) in saltmarsh sediment was temporary; we investigated this phenomenon and possible causes. The reduction of N2O in the presence of C2H2 was biological. N2O consumption in the presence of C2H2 began when nitrate concentration became very low. The time course of N2O consumption after periods of N2O accumulation was unaffected by initial nitrate concentrations between 16 and 200μM, or C2H2 concentrations between 10 and 100% of the gas phase. Sulfide had no effect on the kinetics of N2O reduction in the presence of C2H2. In more dilute slurries of saltmarsh sediments and in estuarine sediment, N2O persisted in the presence of C2H2 unless sufficient organic carbon was added to deplete nitrate. In saltmarsh sediments, the rate of N2O consumption in the presence of C2H2 was not changed by preincubation with C2H2. Initial positive rates of N2O production in the presence of C2H2 occurred only when the block was apparently effective (i.e., at nitrate concentrations greater than about 5-10μM) and appeared to represent a valid estimate of denitrification. Conversely, and in agreement with previous studies, concentrations of NO3 (-) below these levels resulted in reduced efficiency of C2H2 blockage of N2O reductase.