Litter decomposition reduces either N2O or NO production in strongly acidic coniferous and broad-leaved forest soils under anaerobic conditions

Abstract

Purpose The beneficial effect to the environment of nitrate (NO3−) removal by denitrification depends on the partitioning of its end products into nitrous oxide (N2O), nitric oxide (NO), and dinitrogen (N2). However, in subtropical China, acidic forest mineral soils are characterized by negligible denitrification capacity and thus reactive forms of N could not be effectively converted to inert N2, resulting in a negative environmental consequence. In this study, the influences of C input from litter decomposition on denitrification rate and its gaseous products under anoxic conditions in the acidic coniferous and broad-leaved forest soils in subtropical China were investigated using the acetylene (C2H2) blockage technique in the laboratory.