%0 journal article
%@ 1726-4170
%A Bratek, A., Beusekom, J., Neumann, A., Sanders, T., Friedrich, J., Emeis, K., Dähnke, K.

%D 2020
%J Biogeosciences
%N 10
%P 2839-2851 
%R doi:10.5194/bg-17-2839-2020
%T Spatial variations in sedimentary N-transformation rates in the North Sea (German Bight)
%U https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-2839-2020
10 
%X We find that ammonification and oxygen penetration depth are the main drivers of sedimentary nitrification, but this nitrification is closely linked to denitrification. One-third of freshly produced nitrate in impermeable sediment and two-thirds in permeable sediment were reduced to N2. The semi-permeable and permeable sediments are responsible for ∼68 % of the total benthic N2 production rates, which, based solely on our data, amounts to ∼1030 t N d−1 in the southern North Sea. Thus, we conclude that semi-permeable and permeable sediments are the main sinks of reactive N, counteracting eutrophication in the southern North Sea (German Bight).