Coastal sediments are important sites for the natural production and consumption of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). While the microbial processes involved in N2O cycling are known, mechanistic understanding on the balance between processes, their share in net N2O production, and responses to changing key factors is scarce, preventing accurate forecast of future N2O dynamics. By using a multidisciplinary approach combining micro-sensors and functional gene expressions, I will disentangle the microbial processes contributing to N2O cycling in coastal sediment of the Baltic Sea at present and future environmental conditions, ultimately to assess whether the coastal Baltic Sea will become a source or sink of N2O in the future. Data will be obtained from experiments and field observations (Tvärminne Zoological Station, Boston University) and used to model future scenarios (Stockholm University). The results will advance understanding and measures on coastal greenhouse gas emissions.

2022

2025