Bidirectional sulfate diffusion in saline-lake sediments: Evidence from Devils Lake, northeast North Dakota
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Abstract
Chemical and isotopic gradients in pore water in Devils Lake indicate that maximum rates of sulfate reduction occur between 1 and 3 cm depth in the bottom sediments. Dissolved sulfate diffuses into the sulfate-reduction zone upward from deeply buried saline pore water at an average rate of 1.4 x 10-5 μmol ⋅ cm-2 ⋅ s-1, and downward from the overlying water column at an average rate of 2.4 x 10-5 μmol ⋅ cm-2 ⋅ s-1. The result is a bidirectional flux of sulfate into the sulfate-reduction zone. Upward-diffusing sulfate provides a ready supply of electron acceptors for sulfate-reducing bacteria even at fairly great depths in the sediments. The abundance of electron acceptors enables sulfate-reducing bacteria to outcompete methanogenic bacteria for organic material and thereby suppress methane production. Suppression of methanogenesis may be widespread in sulfate-rich lakes and wetlands and may limit methane fluxes from these water bodies to the atmosphere.
Study Area
Publication type | Article |
---|---|
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Title | Bidirectional sulfate diffusion in saline-lake sediments: Evidence from Devils Lake, northeast North Dakota |
Series title | Geology |
DOI | 10.1130/0091-7613(1992)020<0319:BSDISL>2.3.CO;2 |
Volume | 20 |
Issue | 4 |
Year Published | 1992 |
Language | English |
Publisher | Geological Society of America |
Publisher location | Washington, D.C. |
Contributing office(s) | Minnesota Water Science Center, North Dakota Water Science Center, South Dakota Water Science Center, Dakota Water Science Center |
Description | 4 p. |
Larger Work Type | Article |
Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
Larger Work Title | Geology |
First page | 319 |
Last page | 322 |
Country | United States |
State | North Dakota |
Other Geospatial | Devil's Lake |
Online Only (Y/N) | N |
Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |
Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |