Modeling of the Nitrogen Cyclein the Sediments of the Western GotlandBasin, Baltic Sea

Abstract:

Modeling of the nitrogen cycling in the sediments of the Baltic Sea is the major objective of thepresent study. A model of the nitrogen cycling in the sediment of the Western Gotland Basinwas developed. The model simulates the sedimentary biogeochemical processes such asdecomposition of the organic detritus and transformation of nitrogen species in the sediment.The development of the model is based on the methods and approaches implemented in themodel of the freshwater Haringvliet Lake, Netherland.

The sediments of Haringvliet and the Baltic Sea were examined in terms of the interactions andcontrols of biogeochemistry. Both systems are eutrophied. This results in a high sedimentationrate of organic matter and creates the same chemical and physical conditions to theirsediments. However, the sedimentation rate and decomposition of organic detritus is higherand nitrification and denitrification is lower in Haringvliet lake system compared to the BalticSea.

The results of the model tests show that profiles of the chemical compounds and rates of theprocesses are in good agreement with the observations made in different areas of the BalticSea. The model can be used for simulation of the sediment processes when there is a constantinput of organic matter. The model can also reproduce the behavior of the sediment whensome of the process parameters and conditions are changed.

A comparison of the rates of the biogeochemical processes predicted by model and thosemeasured in the different basins of the Baltic Sea was performed. The rates of decompositionof organic detritus, denitrification and nitrification were in agreement with the field data. Basedon the results of the model the nitrogen removal in the sediment was calculated and it wasfound that 26-32% of total nitrogen entering the sediment is removed by denitrification.