Sulfide effects on nitrate reduction and community

This contribution sheds light on the interactions between sulfur and nitrogen cycling in coastal wetland sediments, specifically the influence of reduced sulfur on the active microbial community composition and the functional role they play in removing versus retaining bioavailable N. We reveal sulfide addition leads to a decrease in the capacity of the microbial community to remove bioavailable N through denitrification. By changing the activity of the microbial community, sulfide alters the fate of nitrate, promoting its transformation to ammonium as well as other pools. These results have important implications to coastal environments that are increasingly exposed to saltwater inundation and organic matter enrichment, both of which can lead to sulfide accumulation through increased sulfate reduction. This increase in sulfide will ultimately reduce the microbial community's N removal capacity.