Long-term effect of crude oil and dispersant on denitrification and organic matter mineralization in a salt marsh sediment.

The 2010 BP oil spill has an unprecedented impact on coastal wetland ecosystem along the northern Gulf of Mexico. A two-dimensional analysis (dispersant concentration and duration of exposure) was conducted by pre-incubation of a salt marsh sediment under an open or closed condition. Denitrification activity was characterized by NO production using an acetylene (CH) blockage technique, and organic matter (OM) mineralization by CO production.