MEPS 415:1-9 (2010)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps08727

ABSTRACT: Several freshwater and terrestrial invertebrate species emit the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N₂O). The N₂O production associated with these animals was ascribed to incomplete denitrification by ingested sediment or soil bacteria. The present study shows that many marine invertebrates also emit N₂O at substantial rates. A total of 19 invertebrate species collected in the German Wadden Sea and in Aarhus Bay, Denmark, and 1 aquacultured shrimp species were tested for N₂O emission. Potential N₂O emission rates ranged from 0 to 1.354 nmol ind.^–1 h^–1, with an average rate of 0.320 nmol ind.^–1 h^–1, excluding the aquacultured shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, which showed the highest rate of N₂O emission measured so far for any marine species (3.569 nmol ind.^–1 h^–1), probably due to very high nitrate concentrations in the rearing tanks. The N₂O emitted by L. vannamei was almost exclusively produced in its gut by incomplete denitrification. Statistical analysis revealed that body weight, habitat, and exoskeletal biofilms were important determinants of animal-associated N₂O production. The snail Hinia reticulata emitted about 3.5 times more N₂O with an intact exoskeletal biofilm on its shell than with an experimentally cleaned shell. Thus, the N₂O production associated with marine invertebrates is apparently not due to gut denitrification in every species, but may also result from microbial activity on the external surfaces of animals. The high abundance and potential N₂O emission rates of many marine invertebrate species suggest significant contributions to overall N₂O emissions from coastal marine environments and aquaculture facilities.

KEY WORDS: Marine invertebrate · Animal–microbe interaction · Gut microbiology · Exoskeletal biofilm · Coastal marine ecosystem · Aquaculture

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Cite this article as: Heisterkamp IM, Schramm A, de Beer D, Stief P (2010) Nitrous oxide production associated with coastal marine invertebrates. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 415:1-9. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps08727 Export citation Share:    Facebook - - linkedIn