Ammonia-oxidation as an engine to generate nitrous oxide in an intensively managed calcareous fluvo-aquic soil.

ABSTRACT: We combine field observations, microcosm, stoichiometry, and molecular and stable isotope techniques to quantify N2O generation processes in an intensively managed low carbon calcareous fluvo-aquic soil. All the evidence points to ammonia oxidation and linked nitrifier denitrification (ND) being the major processes generating N2O. When NH4(+)-based fertilizers are applied the soil will produce high N2O peaks which are inhibited almost completely by adding nitrification inhibitors. During ammonia oxidation with high NH4(+) concentrations (>80?mg N kg(-1)) the soil matrix will actively consume oxygen and accumulate high concentrations of NO2(-), leading to suboxic conditions inducing ND. Calculated N2O isotopomer data show that nitrification and ND accounted for 35-53% and 44-58% of total N2O emissions, respectively. We propose that slowing down nitrification and avoiding high ammonium concentrations in the soil matrix are important measures to reduce N2O emissions per unit of NH4(+)-based N input from this type of intensively managed soil globally.

SUBMITTER: Huang T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3912618 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature