The influence of bioturbation on sandy reservoirs: the delta front sand of the lower Zhujiang Formation, Baiyun Depression, Zhujiang River Mouth Basin

Ichnofossils are well developed in clastic rock reservoirs in marine and transitional facies, which can considerably change the physical properties of the reservoir. However, this influence is not well understood, raising an important problem in the effective development of petroleum reservoirs. This paper analyzes continental shelf margin delta reservoirs through core observation, cast thin section observation and reservoir physical property test. Some important scientific insights are obtained:(1) The presence of Cruziana ichnofacies, including Asterosoma, Ophiomorpha, Planolites, Skolithos, Thalassinoides, and other ichnofossils can be used to identify in subaqueous distributary channels, subaqueous levee, frontal sheet sand, abandoned river channels, crevasse channels, main channels and channel mouth bars. Considerable differences in the types of ichnofossils and the degree of bioturbation can be observed in the different petrofacies.(2) Ichnofossils and bioturbation play a complex role in controlling reservoir properties. The reservoir physical properties have the characteristics of a decrease–increase–decrease curve with increasing bioturbation degree. This complex change is controlled by the sediment mixing and packing of bioturbation and the diagenetic environment controlled by the ichnofossils.(3) Sea-level cycle changes affect the modification of the reservoir through sediment packing. Bioturbation weakens the reservoir's physical property when sea level slowly rises and improves the reservoir's physical property when base level slowly falls.

The Effects of Misgurnus anguillicaudatus Bioturbation on the Vertical Distribution of Sediment Particles in Paddy Fied

[Objective] The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of breeding Misgurnus anguillicaudatus in paddy field in vertical distribution of sediment particles. [Method] Using chemically stable glass beads as tracers, the effects of Misgurnus anguillicaudatus bioturbation on the vertical distribution of sediment particles in paddy field were investigated, and the bioturbation role of benthic fish in the coupling process of benthic-pelagic interface was discussed. [Result] After ten days of Misgurnus anguillicaudatus bioturbation, 43.2% of the glass beads on the surface were transferred downwardly with the maximum distance of 7.5 cm, and the vertical transportation rate of sediment particles was 7.676×10-4g-1·cm-2·d-1. At a depth of 6 cm, 39.7% and 9.9% of the glass beads were respectively transferred upwards and downwards, to the maximum distanc of 4.5 cm and 5.1 cm, respectively; and the vertical transportation rates of sediment particles were 7.597×10-4g-1·cm-2·d-1 and 1.894×10-4g-1·cm-2·d-1, respectively. [Conclusion] Misgurnus anguillicaudatus bioturbation could promote the circulation and transformation of nutrients at water/soil interface through affecting the vertical distribution of sediment particles.

Bioturbation Effects of Benthic Fish on Soil Microorganism of Paddy Field

[Objective]The research aimed to explore the bioturbation effects of benthic fish Misgurnus anguillicaudatus on soil microorganism（microflora,biomass,and special physiological groups） of paddy field.[Method]The experiments were conducted locally and quantitatively in field,using plate count and MPN methods.[Result]In the microflora of paddy soil tested,the quantity of bacteria is the largest,followed by actinomycetes and fungus.Compared with the control paddy fields,in rice-fish paddy fields the quantities of bacteria,actinomycetes and fungus were higher,at significance level P 〈0.05,P 〈0.01,and P 〈0.01 respectively.The microbial biomass C and N in rice-fish paddy fields is remarkably higher than those in control paddy fields,both at significance level P 〈0.01;the microbial biomass P in rice-fish paddy fields is higher than that in control paddy fields,but at significance level P 〈0.05.Benthic fish promotes the growth of soil azotobacter,cellulolytic bacteria,nitrobacteria,sulfur bacteria,and ammonifying bacteria,restricts the reproduction of nitrate reducing bacteria and sulfate reducing bacteria.[Conclusion]The benthic fish had important effects on microflora,microbial biomass,and special microorganism physiological groups of paddy soil,improves the living conditions of soil microorganisms,promotes the soil fertility and bio-chemical activity,which is beneficial for improving the supply ability of soil nutrients such as N,P,S,as well as the efficiency of nutrient utilization.

Bioturbation Effects of Branchiura sowerbyi (Tubificidae) on the Vertical Transport of Sedimentary Particles in Paddy Field

[Objective] The research aimed to investigate the bioturbation effects of Branchiura sowerbyi （Tubificidae） on the vertical transport of sedimentary particles in paddy field,and explore the bioturbation effects and mechanism of benthic Annelida in coupling process of benthic-pelagic interface.[Method]Using chemically stable glass beads as tracers,the vertical transport of sedimentary particles in paddy field was analyzed comparatively with and without B.sowerbyi.[Result]After 10 days＇ bioturbation of B.sowerbyi,41.3% of the glass beads on the surface of sedimentary particles were transferred downward to the maximum depth of 9.4 cm,and the vertical transportation rate of sedimentary particles was 1.370×10-3/（g·cm2·d）. 25.8% and 17.3% of glass beads at a depth of 6 cm were transferred upwards and downwards respectively after bioturbation,to the maximum depth of 5.2 and 2.7 cm respectively,and the vertical transportation rates of sedimentary particles were 8.557×10-4 and 5.738×10-4/（g·cm2·d） respectively.[Conclusion]The sedimentary particles on the surface and deep layer of the paddy field were vertically shifted by the physical activities of B.sowerbyi,thus changed the sedimentary environment.

Bioturbation Effects of Benthic Fish on the Phosphorus Dynamic in Overlying Water of Paddy Field

[Objective]The research aimed to investigate the bioturbation effects of benthic fish Misgurnus anguillicaudatus on phosphorus dynamic in overlying water of paddy field,as well as to explore the bioturbation mechanism.[Method]Based on simulation experiment,the phosphorus contents in overlying water were analyzed comparatively with and without Misgurnus anguillicaudatus by the using of ion chromatography and spectrophotometry.[Result]The concentrations of total phosphorus(TP),dissolved total phosphorus(DTP)and particular phosphorus(PP)in bioturbation group had no significant differences with those in control group in initial stage of experiment,and became significantly higher than control group in middle and late stages of experiment(P<0.05). The PP/TP ratios in bioturbation group were bigger than those in control group,the increase of TP concentration in bioturbation group was mainly due to the increase of PP. The ratios of dissolved inorganic phosphorus(DIP) to DTP (DIP/DTP) were significantly bigger than those in control group in middle and late stages of experiment(P<0.05).[Conclusion]The benthic fish had bioturbation effects on phosphorus in overlying water of paddy field,which increased the available phosphorus for rice growth.

Middle Ordovician Bioturbation Structures from Southeastern Margin of Ordos Basin and Their Environmentary Interpretation

Trace fossils were discovered in the Middle Ordovician Badou Member ofFengfeng Formation and the Member 1 of Jinsushan Formation in Mt. Jinsu of the Fuping region whichlies at the southeastern margin of the Ordos basin. The rocks of the fore-mentioned parts contain aconsiderable amount of bioturbation structures, in which ichnogenus and ichnospecies can not beidentified, and abundant stromatolites. The distributions and characteristics of the bioturbationstructures are analyzed and summarized in this paper. The paleoenvironments of related formationsand members were interpreted in the method of semiquantitative analysis of bioturbation structureswith researches on stromatolites and sedi-mentology. It is suggested that Fuping zone, located inthe southeastern margin of the Ordos basin, was a carbonate platform where stromatolite-developingtidal flat and low-energy subtidal open platform environments dominated. Also that this zoneexperienced three paleogeographic evolutions from tidal flat to low-energy subtidal open platformenvironments, that is, three larger-scale eustatisms occurred during the sedimentary period ofMiddle Ordovician Badou Member of Fengfeng Formation to the Member 1 of Jinsushan Formation.

The Effect of Bioturbation Activity of the Ark Clam Scapharca subcrenata on the Fluxes of Nutrient Exchange at the Sediment–Water Interface

Filter-feeding shellfish are common benthos and significantly affect the biogeochemical cycle in the shallow coastal ecosystems.Ark clam Scapharca subcrenata is one of the widely cultured bivalve species in many coastal areas owing to its tremendous economic value.However,there is little information regarding the effects of the bioturbation of S.subcrenata on the fluxes of nutrient exchange in the sediment-water interface(SWI).In this regard,S.subcrenata was sampled during October 2016 to determine the effects of its bioturbation activity on the nutrient exchange flux of the SWI.The results showed that the biological activity of S.subcrenata could increase the diffusion depth and the rate of the nutrients exchange in the sediments.The bioturbation of S.subcrenata could allow the nutrients to permeate into the surface sediments at 6-10cm and increase the release rate of nutrients at the SWI.The releasing fluxes of DIN and PO43−-P in the culture area were found to be around three times higher than that in the non-cultured region.The culture of S.subcrenata has been proved to be an important contributor to nutrient exchange across the SWI in the farming area of Haizhou Bay.Nutrients exchange in the SWI contributes a part of 86%DIN,71%PO43−-P and 18%SiO32−-Si for the aquaculture farm.

Transformation mechanism of muddy carbonate rock by the coupling of bioturbation and diagenesis:A case study of the Cretaceous of the Mesopotamia Basin in the Middle East

The transformation mechanism of muddy carbonate rock by the coupling of bioturbation and diagenesis was stud-ied based on core,cast thin section and physical property data of Cretaceous strata in the Mesopotamia Basin,the Middle East.There are 3 ways of biological transformation of rocks:(1)The living creatures transformed formations mechanically to make the rocks looser and intergranular pores increase.(2)After formation,burrows were backfilled with coarse-grained debris,and then unsaturated fluid infiltrated into the burrows during the penecontemporaneous period,resulting in dissolution.(3)Chemical alteration occurred in abandoned burrows and dolomitization produced a large number of intercrystalline pores.The·coupling of bioturbation and dissolution occurred mainly in the penecontemporaneous phase,and was controlled by rock type,sea level decline,burrow abundance,infillings,and water environment etc.As the burrows had better physical properties than the matrix,unsaturated fluid preferentially migrated along the burrows,leading to dissolution and expansion of the burrows first and then dissolution of the matrix.The coupling of bioturbation and dolomitization occurred mainly in the burial phase.The rich organic matter and reducing bacteria in the burrow provided material basis,reducing conditions and alkaline envi-ronment for dolomitization.The metasomatism in the penecontemporaneous period had little effect on the physical properties of the burrows.When the burrows were se parated from the deposition interface,equimolar metasomatism occurred in the burrows in a closed environment,forming euhedral fine-crystalline dolomite with intercrystalline pores.The transformation degree of bioturbation to muddy carbonate reservoir depends on rock type,density,connectivity,infillings and structure of the burrows.With the increase of the carbonate mud content,the im provement to rock physical properties by bioturbation be-comes more prominent.When the burrows are filled with coarse-grained debris or fine-crystalline dolomite,the greater the density,the higher the connectivity,and the lower the tortuosity of burrows,the better the physical properties of the muddy carbonate rocks are.

Review of Effects of Macrobenthos Bioturbation on Sediment Biogeochemical Cycle

As an important factor influencing the physical,chemical and biological processes of sediments,the bioturbation of macrobenthos has received extensive attention in the study of the biogeochemical processes of sediments.However,previous studies provided limited scope for the effects of the bioturbation on the biogeochemical processes of sediments.Based on the analysis of recently published data,this paper presented an integrated overview to summarize the forms of bioturbation (rework,bioirrigation,biodeposition,bioresuspension,biodiffusion),and the effects of bioturbation on the organic matter decomposition,microorganisms,and nutrient flux at the sediment-water interface.To better understand the impacts of bioturbation on biogeochemical processes of sediments,the research should be strengthened in the following aspects in the future: the combination of field experiment and lab simulation test should be strengthened as for the research method;much more attention should be paid to the other sea areas besides hot sea areas and different ecosystems regarding the research area;and the biogenic elements except nitrogen and phosphorus,microorganisms,and heavy metals should be deepened regarding the research content.

Bioturbation enhanced petrophysical properties in the Ordovician carbonate reservoir of the Tahe oilfield,Tarim Basin,NW China

Bioturbation plays an important role in enhancing the reservoir capacity of tight reservoirs.This study aims to understand the alteration mechanism and effects of bioturbation on oil and gas reservoirs,to clarify the key control factors and constraints influencing the production of bioturbation.The petrophysical characteristics of bioturbation and host sediments in carbonate rocks,such as mineral composition,pore spaces,porosity and permeability,were studied based on the detailed observation and description of the Ordovician cores from the Tahe oilfield.The effect of bioturbation on petrophysical properties of carbonate rocks were carefully analyzed.The results show:(1)Two types of bioturbation,Thalassinoides-like burrows and Planolites-like burrows,mainly occur in the Ordovician cores of the Tahe oilfield,ranging from the Lower-Middle Ordovician Yingshan Formation to the Middle Ordovician Yijianfang Formation.The burrow-fills are mainly composed of dolomite with subhedral and euhedral crystals.The host sediments mainly consist of micrite.(2)The pores in the host sediments are poorly developed and are incapable of forming effective reservoir spaces.However,well-developed intercrystalline pores among dolomites and microfractures in bioturbated sediments with better connectivity can form effective pore spaces.The results of porosity and permeability show that the host sediments without bioturbation are characterized by poor porosity and permeability.However,with the increase of bioturbation intensity,the porosity of the bioturbated sediments firstly increases and then decreases,whereas the permeability increases all the time.(3)Multiple burrows overprinted in the Ordovician carbonate rocks,forming a large-scale bioturbated carbonate rocks with lateral continuity and vertical connectivity,due to the suitable sedimentary setting,ecological conditions,favorable spatiotemporal sediment matching,and abundant organism-substrate interaction.Subsequently,diagenesis(particularly dolomitization and dissolution)has played a positive role in altering the rock fabric and improving the petrophysical properties of bioturbated carbonates.

Observation of bioturbation and hyporheic flux in streambeds

In the Elkhorn River,burrows,tubes,and sediment mounds created by invertebrate bioturbation were observed in the exposed streambed and commonly concentrated on the fine-sediment patches,which consist of silt,clay,and organic matter.These invertebrate activities could loosen the thin layer of clogging sediments and result in an increase of pore size in the sediments,leading to greater vertical hydraulic conductivity of the streambed(Kv).The measurements of the vertical hydraulic gradient across the submerged streambed show that vertical flux in the hyporheic zone can alter directions(upward versus downward)for two locations only a few meters apart.In situ permeameter tests show that streambed Kv in the upper sediment layer is much higher than that in the lower sediment layer,and the calculated Kv in the submerged streambed is consistently greater than that in the clogged sediments around the shorelines of the sand bars.Moreover,a phenomenon of gas bubble release at the water-sediment interface from the subsurface sediments was observed in the groundwater seepage zone where flow velocity is extremely small.The bursting of gas bubbles can potentially break the thin clogging layer of sediments and enhance the vertical hydraulic conductivity of the streambed.

Relationship between heavy metals and dissolved organic matter released from sediment by bioturbation/bioirrigation

Organic matter(OM) is an important component of sediment. Bioturbation/bioirrigation can remobilize OM and heavy metals that were previously buried in the sediment. The remobilization of buried organic matter, thallium(Tl), cadmium(Cd), copper(Cu) and zinc(Zn) from sediment was studied in a laboratory experiment with three organisms: tubificid,chironomid larvae and loach. Results showed that bioturbation/bioirrigation promoted the release of dissolved organic matter(DOM) and dissolved Tl, Cd, Cu and Zn, but only dissolved Zn concentrations decreased with exposure time in overlying water. The presence of organisms altered the compositions of DOM released from sediment,considerably increasing the percentage of fulvic acid-like materials(FA) and humic acidlike materials(HA). In addition, bioturbation/bioirrigation accelerated the growth and reproduction of bacteria to enhance the proportion of soluble microbial byproduct-like materials(SMP). The DOM was divided into five regions in the three-dimensional excitation emission matrix(3 D-EEM), and each part had different correlation with the dissolved heavy metal concentrations. Dissolved Cu had the best correlation with each of the DOM compositions, indicating that Cu in the sediment was in the organic-bound form.Furthermore, the organism type and heavy metal characteristics both played a role in influencing the remobilization of heavy metal.

Temporal Distribution of Diagnostic Biofabrics in the Lower and Middle Ordovician in North China:Clues to the Geobiology of the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event

The temporal distribution of the diagnostic biofabrics in the Lower and Middle Ordovician in North China distinctly illustrates that the sedimentary systems on the paleoplate have been changed markedly as consequences of the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event （GOBE）. The pre-GOBE sedimentary systems deposited in Tremadoc display widespread microbialite and flat-pebble conglomerates, and a less extent of bioturbation. Through the transitional period of early Floian, the sedimentary systems in the rest of the Early and Mid- Ordovician change to GOBE type and are characterized by intensive bioturbation and vanishing flat-pebble conglomerates and subtidal microbial sediments. The irreversible changes in sedimentary systems in North China are linked to the GOBE, which conduced the increase in infaunal tiering, the expansion of infaunal ecospace, and the appearance of new burrowers related to the development of the Paleozoic Evolutionary Fauna during the Ordovician biodiversification. Thus, changes in sedimentary systems during the pivotal period of the GOBE were consequences of a steep diversification of benthic faunas rather than the GOBE＇s environmental background.

In situ Assemblies of Bacteria and Nutrient Dynamics in Response to an Ecosystem Engineer,Marine Clam Scapharca subcrenata,in the Sediment of an Aquaculture Bioremediation System

The relationships between nutrient dynamics,microbial community,and macrofauna are important in bioremediation systems.In this study,we examined the effects of marine clam Scapharca subcrenata sedimentary activities on the microbial assemblages,benthic nutrient chemistry,and its subsequent remediation impacts on organic effluent in the sediment of an aquaculture wastewater bioremediation system.The results showed that microbial community composition differed significantly in the clam area(ANOSIM,R=0.707,P=0.037).Pyrosequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA gene revealed a total of 48 unique phyla,79 classes,107 orders,197 families,and 321 genera amongst all samples.The most dominant bacterial assemblages were Proteobacteria,Bacteroidetes,Acidobacteria,Firmicutes,Verrucomicrobia,and Actinobacteria,with Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes significantly higher in all treatment samples than control(P<0.001).All dominant phyla in the list were shared across all samples and accounted for 89%(control)and 97%(treatment)of the total 16S rRNA.The nutrient flux rates from the sediments into the water(treatment group)were 51%(ammonium),88%(nitrate),77%(nitrite)and 45%(phosphate)higher,relative to the control implying increased mineralization,degradability,and mobility of the benthic nutrients.Similarly,significantly increased oxygen consumption rates were evident in the clam area signifying improved oxygen distribution within the sediment.The organic effluent contents associated with total-organic matter,carbon,nitrogen,and,phosphate were lower among the clam treatments relative to the control.Our results describe the potential roles and mechanisms contributed by marine bivalve S.subcrenata on benthic-bacterial-community assembly,nutrient balance,and effluent reduction in the sediments of aquaculture wastewaters bioremediation system.

Particle reworking by the sediment-living polychaetes Perinereis aibuhitensis

The infaunal polychaete Perinereis aibuhitensis Grube, distributes widelyalong Asian coasts and estuaries. In this research the particle reworking function of P.aibuhitensis was investigated in Beitang Estuary, Tianjin. The result showed that P.aibuhitensis displayed significant particle mixing function, in which small grain sizesediment particles were mixed more than the large size ones. Some small grain sizesediment particles could be ingested by P. aibuhitensis and egested with fecal pellets.

Effects of key species mud snail Bullacta exarata (Gastropoda) on oxygen and nutrient fluxes at the sediment-water interface in the Huanghe River Delta, China

Since the mud snail Bullacta exarata was introduced for economic aquaculture in the Huanghe River(Yellow River) Delta in 2001, its quick population growth and expanded distribution make it a key-species in the intertidal zone of this area. This significantly contributed to the economic income of the local people, but its potential ecological impact on the benthic ecosystem remains unknown. A mesocosm study was conducted to test whether its bioturbation activities affect the microphytobenthos(MPBs;i.e., sedimentary microbes and unicellular algae)productivity and the nutrient exchange between the sediment-water interface. Our results show that the mud snail significantly impacted the dissolved oxygen(DO) flux across the sediment-water interface on the condition of normal sediment and light treatment, and significantly increased the ammonium efflux during recovery period in the defaunated sediment and dark treatment. The presence of micro-and meiofauna significantly increased the NH4-N flux in dark treatment. Whereas, in light treatment, these small animals had less effects on the DO and NH4-N flux between sediment-water interface. Our results provide better insight into the effect of the mud snail B.exarata on the ecosystem functioning via benthic fluxes.

Remediation of Coastal Sediments by Addition of Calcium Nitrate and Presence of Benthos in a Muddy Tidal Flat

This study investigated the change in denitrification rate in muddy tidal flats sediment by chemical and biological remediation. Column experiments were conducted to determine the dependence of denitrification rate on the redox potential. Filtered seawater was fed continuously to the pipe filled with sediment from the muddy tidal flats. An increase in the redox potential from -198 mV to 21 mV with bioturbation led to increases in the denitrification rate from 24.2 mg/m2/day to 29.8 mg/m2/day. The increase in denitrification was explained by the acceleration of mass transfer in the sediment. Redox-potential increased from -400 mV to -200 mV by the addition of 10 g calcium nitrate, acid volatile sulfide was below the detection limit to 20 cm depth, and denitrification rate was increased from 21.3 mg/m2/day to 36.4 mg/m2/day. It is considered that the increased nitrogen concentration led to an increase in microbial activity.

Strength May Lie in Numbers: Intertidal Foraminifera Non-Negligible Contribution to Surface Sediment Reworking

The contribution of benthic foraminifera to sediment bioturbation has widely been overlooked despite their huge abundance in intertidal soft sediments. In this preliminary study, we specifically chose to focus on two key species of benthic foraminifera in temperate intertidal mudflats, Quinqueloculina seminula and Ammonia tepida, and first experimentally investigated their individual movements at the sediment surface. We subsequently derived from these observations the individual-level surface sediment reworking rates, and used the actual abundance of these species to extrapolate these rates at the population level. Individual surface sediment reworking rates SSRRi ranged between 0.13 and 0.32 cm2·ind-1·day-1 for Q. seminula, and between 0.12 and 0.28 cm2·ind-1·day-1 for A. tepida. Population-level surface sediment reworking rates were subsequently estimated as ranging between 11,484 and 28,710 cm2·m-2·day-1 for Q. seminula and 27,876 and 65,044 cm2·m-2·day-1 for A. tepida. Noticeably, these reworking rates are comparable to, and eventually even higher than, the rates reported in the literature for populations of intertidal macro-invertebrates, such as the annelid polychaete Melinna palmata and the bivalve Abra ovata. Taken together these results suggest that despite their minute size intertidal benthic foraminifera are, thanks to their abundance, non-negligible contributors to the reworking of surface sediment, and may then play an unanticipated role in the benthic ecosystem functioning, through e.g. the enhancement of fluxes at the sediment-water interface.

Impact of different benthic animals on phosphorus dynamics across the sediment-water interface

As a diagenetic progress, bioturbation influences solute exchange across the sediment-water interface （SWI）. Different benthic animals have various mechanical activities in sediment, thereby they may have different effects on solute exchange across the SWI. This laboratory study examined the impacts of different benthic animals on phosphorus dynamics across the SWI. Tubificid worms and Chironomidae larvae were introduced as model organisms which, based on their mechanical activities, belong to upward-conveyors and gallery-diffusers, respectively. The microcosm simulation study was carried out with a continuous flow culture system, and all sediment, water, and worms and larvae specimens were sampled from Taihu Lake, China. To compare their bioturbation effects, the same biomass （17.1 g wet weight （ww）/m ^2 ） was adopted for worms and larvae. Worms altered no oxygen penetration depth in sediment, while larvae increased the O 2 penetration depth, compared to the control treatment. Their emergence also enhanced sediment O 2 uptake. The oxidation of ferrous iron in pore water produced ferric iron oxyhydroxides that adsorbed soluble reactive phosphorus （SRP） from the overlying water and pore water. Larvae built obviously oxidized tubes with about 2 mm diameter and the maximum length of 6 cm in sediment, and significantly decreased ferrous iron and SRP in the pore water compared to the control and worms treatments. Worms constructed no visually-oxidized galleries in the sediment in contrast to larvae, and they did not significantly alter SRP in the pore water relative to the control treatment. The adsorption of ferric iron oxyhydroxides to SRP caused by worms and larvae inhibited SRP release from sediment. Comparatively, worms inhibited more SRP release than larvae based on the same biomass, as they successively renewed the ferric iron oxyhydroxides rich oxidation layer through their deposition.

Influence of Chironomid Larvae on oxygen and nitrogen fluxes across the sediment-water interface(Lake Taihu,China)

The microscale distribution of oxygen,the nitrogen flux and the denitrification rates in sediment inhabited by chironomid larvae（Tanypus chinensis） were measured in eutrophic Lake Taihu,China.The presence of the chironomids in the sediment increased the oxygen diffusional flux from 10.4 ± 1.4 to 12.7 ± 2.5 mmol O 2 /（m 2 ·day）.The burrows of the larvae represented ＂hot spots＂ and strongly influenced the nitrogen cycles and diagenetic activity in the sediment.The results indicate that the bioturbation effects of Tanypus chinensis chironomid larvae increased the capacity of the sediment as a sink for nitrate and a source for ammonium.Nitrate influx and ammonium outflux were increased 8.8 and 1.7 times,respectively.Under bioturbation,the amount of nitrate consumed was greater than the amount of ammonium released.The total denitrification rate was also enhanced from 0.76 ± 0.34 to 5.50 ± 1.30 mmol N/（m 2 ·day）.The net effect was that the bioturbated sediments acted as a net sink for inorganic nitrogen under direct and indirect bioturbation effects compared to the control.