Denitrification mechanism in oxygen-rich aquatic environments through long-distance electron transfer

Abstract The lack of electron donors in oxygen-rich aquatic environments limits the ability natural denitrification to remove excess nitrate, leading eutrophication ecosystems. Herein, we demonstrate that electron-rich substances river or lake sediments could participate long-distance rebalancing reduce nitrate overlying water. A microstructure containing Dechloromonas and consisting an inner layer green rust outer lepidocrocite forms sediment-water system through synergetic evolution self-assembly. enables transfer from sediment dilute Specifically, adsorbs reduces kinetic barrier for via Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox mediator. Our study reveals mechanism spontaneous between distant acceptors achieve electron-deficient systems.