Abstract
Source determination of nitrous oxide (N2O) from soils has so far been complicated by methodological constraints: the frequently used 15N tracer method could not differentiate between pathways related to nitrification, that is, nitrifier nitrification (NN), nitrifier denitrification (ND), and nitrification-coupled denitrification (NCD). To overcome this problem, a dual isotope method using both 15N and 18O was proposed. However, O exchange between nitrogen oxides and water has been found to disturb such a method. We here explain in detail a novel dual isotope method that allows to quantify O exchange in denitrification and to differentiate N2O production from NN, ND, NCD, and fertilizer denitrification (FD). The method has already been applied to a range of soils with good success. Potential of and scope for further improvement of the method are discussed
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Methods in Enzymology : Research on Nitrification and Related Processes, Part B Volume 496 |
| Editors | M.G. Klotz, L.Y. Stein |
| Place of Publication | Burlington |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Pages | 139-160 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780123864895 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2011 |
Keywords
- dissimilatory nitrate reduction
- ammonia-oxidizing bacteria
- nitrifier denitrification
- nitrosomonas-europaea
- labeling method
- stable-isotope
- soil
- n2o
- nitrification
- water
