New publication in the journal "Water Research"

2022-03-31

In their project within the SFB Campos led by the University of Tübingen, the researchers were able to show that depending on the local hydrological regime, the streambed was colonized either by canonical heterotrophic denitrifiers, or by more unusual chemolithoautotrophic nitrate reducers. This suggests previously overlooked mechanisms of nitrate elimination in such agricultural lower-order streams. With a better understanding of such mechanisms, it may be possible to modulate agricultural drainage systems in a way that agricultural nutrient inputs and pollutant loads are eliminated more efficiently. This can contribute to the protection and remediation of surface water, groundwater and drinking water resources.