The role of coupled DNRA-Anammox during nitrate removal in a highly saline lake

Nitrate (NO3−) removal from aquatic ecosystems involves several microbially mediated processes, including denitrification, dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA), and anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox), controlled by slight changes in environmental gradients. In addition, some of these processes (i.e. denitrification) may involve the production of undesirable compounds such as nitrous oxide (N2O), an important greenhouse gas. Saline lakes are prone to the accumulation of anthropogenic contaminants, making them highly vulnerable environments to NO3− pollution. The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of light and oxygen on the different NO3− removal pathways under highly saline conditions. For this purpose, mesocosm experiments were performed using lacustrine, undisturbed, organic-rich sediments from the Pétrola Lake (Spain), a highly saline waterbody subject to anthropogenic NO3− pollution. The revised 15N-isotope pairing technique (15N-IPT) was used to determine NO3− sink processes. Our results demonstrate for the first time the coexistence of denitrification, DNRA, and anammox processes in a highly saline lake, and how their contribution was determined by environmental conditions (oxygen and light). DNRA, and especially denitrification to N2O, were the dominant nitrogen (N) removal pathways when oxygen and/or light were present (up to 82%). In contrast, anoxia and darkness promoted NO3− reduction by DNRA (52%), combined with N loss by anammox (28%). Our results highlight the role of coupled DNRA-anammox, which has not yet been investigated in lacustrine sediments. We conclude that anoxia and darkness favored DNRA and anammox processes over denitrification and therefore to restrict N2O emissions to the atmosphere. [Display omitted] •Denitrification, DNRA, and anammox coexist as nitrate removal processes.•Contribution of each process is determined by oxygen and light conditions.•DNRA and N2O-denitrification prevail when oxygen and/or light are present.•Anoxia and darkness promote nitrate reduction by combined DNRA-anammox.•Coupled DNRA-anammox may be a relevant process in reducing atmospheric N2O emissions.