Senior Project Advisor
David Shull
Document Type
Project
Publication Date
Winter 2024
Keywords
Nitrogen, ammonium, DET, diffusive equilibrium thin film, denitrification, Padilla Bay
Abstract
Nitrogen spatial distribution and denitrification rates are not currently well understood in marine sediments. Both nitrogen distribution and denitrification rates vary widely. Better understanding these processes and the factors that impact them could have a variety of applications, from providing us with a foundation for determining any potential impacts of anthropogenic nitrogen to restoring eel grass beds. This project focused on the development of a two-dimensional ammonium sensor using diffusive equilibrium thin films. We successfully created and calibrated our sensor before deploying it at Padilla Bay to produce a two-dimensional image of the spatial distribution and concentrations of ammonium in the sediment. The final image suggests that ammonium is produced in the sediment at depth, with concentrations decreasing closer to the surface as ammonium diffuses into the water column or is oxidized to nitrite and nitrate. Our image also showed the presence of a microsite with higher concentrations of ammonium in the middle of the column.
Department
Environmental Sciences
Recommended Citation
Kass, Zoe, "Developing Two-Dimensional Ammonium Sensors for Use in Marine Sediments" (2024). WWU Honors College Senior Projects. 783.
https://cedar.wwu.edu/wwu_honors/783
Type
Text
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf