title: Living oysters and their shells as sites of nitrification and denitrification.
abstract: Oysters provide a critical habitat, are a food resource for higher trophic levels and support important commercial fisheries throughout the world. Oyster reefs can improve water quality by removing phytoplankton. While sediment denitrification may be enhanced adjacent to oyster reefs, little is known about nitrification and denitrification associated with living oysters and their shells. We measured nitrification and denitrification in living oysters (Crassostrea virginica and Crassostrea gigas) and empty oyster shells. Nitrification was similar between live oysters and empty oyster shells, however, denitrification was enhanced significantly on living oysters compared to shells. This is the first demonstration of nitrification and denitrification associated with living oysters and their shells. Our data suggest that loss of historic oyster reefs has likely affected the resilience of estuaries to eutrophication. The additional benefit of oyster mediated denitrification should be considered in restoration of oyster reefs as a tool for managing eutrophication.
authors: Center for Environmental Diagnostics and Bioremediation, University of West Florida, 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, Florida 32514, USA. Electronic address: jcaffrey@uwf.edu.
authors: Jane M
authors: JM
authors: Caffrey
authors: Department of Marine Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA. Electronic address: aquadoc@uga.edu.
authors: James T
authors: JT
authors: Hollibaugh
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA; Dauphin Island Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Blvd., Dauphin Island, AL 36528, USA. Electronic address: bmortazavi@ua.edu.
authors: Behzad
authors: B
authors: Mortazavi
mesh_terms: D060105:Animal Shells / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D061006:Bays / Q000737:chemistry; D049896:Crassostrea / Q000254:growth & development*; D058440:Denitrification; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D063366:Estuaries; D005068:Eutrophication; D005431:Florida; D058465:Nitrification; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry*
keywords: Bivalves; Denitrification; Nitrification; Nutrients; Oysters