WWRC 84-07
Distribution of Denitrifying and Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
Within a Riparian Zone Along a Mountain Stream
Abstract
The presence and activity of denitrifying bacteria as well as
bacteria capable of reducing sulfate in one upland and five riparian
soils of a mountain watershed in Wyoming were studied. Bacteria were
enumerated from soil samples collected during summer along transacts
placed perpendicular to stream flow. Samples were taken at three depths
within each plant community. Subsamples were frozen and later utilized
to determine denitrification potential.
Higher counts of total heterotrophic aerobic bacteria,
sulfate-reducing bacteria, denitrifying bacteria and denitrification
potential existed in the upper 5 to 15 cm of soil than at 30 cm. Soils
located close to the streams edge tended to have more bacterial activity
than those further from the stream indicating that these soils may be
important areas for nitrate and sulfate reduction. Soil organic matter
and water content decreased with depth in all plant communities, and
those closer to the stream contained more organic matter and water than
those further from the stream.
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