N2O reducer in coastal permeable sediments

Nearly one-fifth of global emissions of the potent greenhouse gas - nitrous oxide (N2O) originate from the ocean, particularly from nutrient-polluted coastal regions. Permeable (sandy) sediments, which cover half of the continental shelf worldwide, are potential sources of N2O due to increasing nutrient inputs from urbanization and inefficient agricultural practices. Yet, the microbial processes driving N2O emissions in these dynamic and unique ecosystems remain understudied. Here, we combined bacterial cultivation and metagenomic sequencing to understand the mediators of N2O emissions within permeable sediment in Port Phillip Bay (Australia).