NO Inf3 Sup Research Articles

Dissimilatory nitrate reduction in anaerobic sediments leading to river nitrite accumulation

Recent studies on Northern Ireland rivers have shown that summer nitrite (NO(inf2)(sup-)) concentrations greatly exceed the European Union guideline of 3 (mu)g of N liter(sup-1) for rivers supporting salmonid fisheries. In fast-flowing aerobic small streams, NO(inf2)(sup-) is thought to originate from nitrification, due to the retardation of Nitrobacter strains by the presence of free ammonia. Multiple regression analyses of NO(inf2)(sup-) concentrations against water quality variables of the six major rivers of the Lough Neagh catchment in Northern Ireland, however, suggested that the high NO(inf2)(sup-) concentrations found in the summer under warm, slow-flow conditions may result from the reduction of NO(inf3)(sup-). This hypothesis was supported by field observations of weekly changes in N species. Here, reduction of NO(inf3)(sup-) was observed to occur simultaneously with elevation of NO(inf2)(sup-) levels and subsequently NH(inf4)(sup+) levels, indicating that dissimilatory NO(inf3)(sup-) reduction to NH(inf4)(sup+) (DNRA) performed by fermentative bacteria (e.g., Aeromonas and Vibrio spp.) is responsible for NO(inf2)(sup-) accumulation in these large rivers. Mechanistic studies in which (sup15)N-labelled NO(inf3)(sup-) in sediment extracts was used provided further support for this hypothesis. Maximal concentrations of NO(inf2)(sup-) accumulation (up to 1.4 mg of N liter(sup-1)) were found in sediments deeper than 6 cm associated with a high concentration of metabolizable carbon and anaerobic conditions. The (sup15)N enrichment of the NO(inf2)(sup-) was comparable to that of the NO(inf3)(sup-) pool, indicating that the NO(inf2)(sup-) was predominantly NO(inf3)(sup-) derived. There is evidence which suggests that the high NO(inf2)(sup-) concentrations observed arose from the inhibition of the DNRA NO(inf2)(sup-) reductase system by NO(inf3)(sup-).

Reduction of Selenium Oxyanions by Enterobacter cloacae SLD1a-1: Isolation and Growth of the Bacterium and Its Expulsion of Selenium Particles

A facultative bacterium capable of removing the selenium (Se) oxyanions selenate (SeO(inf4)(sup2-)) and selenite (SeO(inf3)(sup2-)) from solution culture in flasks open to the atmosphere was isolated and studied with the goal of assessing its potential for use in bioremediation of seleniferous agricultural drainage water. Elemental Se (Se(sup0)) was confirmed as a product of the reaction. The organism, identified as Enterobacter cloacae and designated strain SLD1a-1 (ATCC 700258), removed from 61.5 to 94.5% of added SeO(inf4)(sup2-) (the primary species present in agricultural drainage water) at concentrations from 13 to 1,266 (mu)M. Equimolar amounts of nitrate (NO(inf3)(sup-)), which interferes with SeO(inf4)(sup2-) reduction in some organisms, did not influence the reaction in growth experiments but had a slight inhibitory effect in a washed-cell suspension. Washed-cell suspension experiments also showed that (i) SeO(inf3)(sup2-) is a transitory intermediate in reduction of SeO(inf4)(sup2-), being produced and rapidly reduced concomitantly; (ii) NO(inf3)(sup-) is also reduced concomitantly and at a much higher rate than SeO(inf4)(sup2-); and (iii) although enzymatic, reduction of either oxyanion does not appear to be an inducible process. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that precipitate particles are <0.1 (mu)m in diameter, and these particles were observed free in the medium. Evidence indicates that SLD1a-1 uses SeO(inf4)(sup2-) as an alternate electron acceptor and that the reaction occurs via a membrane-associated reductase(s) followed by rapid expulsion of the Se particles.

Effects of Nitrate Availability and the Presence of Glyceria maxima on the Composition and Activity of the Dissimilatory Nitrate-Reducing Bacterial Community

The effects of nitrate availability and the presence of Glyceria maxima on the composition and activity of the dissimilatory nitrate-reducing bacterial community were studied in the laboratory. Four different concentrations of NO(inf3)(sup-), 0, 533, 1434, and 2,905 (mu)g of NO(inf3)(sup-)-N g of dry sediment(sup-1), were added to pots containing freshwater sediment, and the pots were then incubated for a period of 69 days. Upon harvest, NH(inf4)(sup+) was not detectable in sediment that received 0 or 533 (mu)g of NO(inf3)(sup-)-N g of dry sediment(sup-1). Nitrate concentrations in these pots ranged from 0 to 8 (mu)g of NO(inf3)(sup-)-N g of dry sediment(sup-1) at harvest. In pots that received 1,434 or 2,905 (mu)g of NO(inf3)(sup-)-N g of dry sediment(sup-1), final concentrations varied between 10 and 48 (mu)g of NH(inf4)(sup+)-N g of dry sediment(sup-1) and between 200 and 1,600 (mu)g of NO(inf3)(sup-)-N g of dry sediment(sup-1), respectively. Higher input levels of NO(inf3)(sup-) resulted in increased numbers of potential nitrate-reducing bacteria and higher potential nitrate-reducing activity in the rhizosphere. In sediment samples from the rhizosphere, the contribution of denitrification to the potential nitrate-reducing capacity varied from 8% under NO(inf3)(sup-)-limiting conditions to 58% when NO(inf3)(sup-) was in ample supply. In bulk sediment with excess NO(inf3)(sup-), this percentage was 44%. The nitrate-reducing community consisted almost entirely of NO(inf2)(sup-)-accumulating or NH(inf4)(sup+)-producing gram-positive species when NO(inf3)(sup-) was not added to the sediment. The addition of NO(inf3)(sup-) resulted in an increase of denitrifying Pseudomonas and Moraxella strains. The factor controlling the composition of the nitrate-reducing community when NO(inf3)(sup-) is limited is the presence of G. maxima. In sediment with excess NO(inf3)(sup-), nitrate availability determines the composition of the nitrate-reducing community.

Degradation of Trimethylbenzene Isomers by an Enrichment Culture under N(inf2)O-Reducing Conditions

A microbial culture enriched from a diesel fuel-contaminated aquifer was able to grow on 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (1,3,5-TMB) and 1,2,4-TMB under N(inf2)O-reducing conditions, but it did not degrade 1,2,3-TMB. The oxidation of 1,3,5-TMB to CO(inf2) was coupled to the production of biomass and the reduction of N(inf2)O. N(inf2)O was used to avoid toxic effects caused by NO(inf2)(sup-) accumulation during growth with NO(inf3)(sup-) as the electron acceptor. In addition to 1,3,5-TMB and 1,2,4-TMB, the culture degraded toluene, m-xylene, p-xylene, 3-ethyltoluene, and 4-ethyltoluene.

Growth and nitrogen nutrition of maize (Zea mays L.) in soil treated with the nitrification-inhibiting insecticide Baythroid

A pot experiment was conducted to compare the uptake and dry matter production potential of NH inf4 sup+ and NO inf3 sup- and to study the effect of Baythroid, a contact poison for several insect pests of agricultural crops, on growth and N uptake of maize (Zea mays L.). Nitrogen was applied as (15NH4)2SO4, K15NO3, or 15NH4NO3 and in one treatment Baythroid was combined with 15NH4NO3. Source of N had, in general, a nonsignificant effect on dry matter and N yield, but uptake of NO inf3 sup- was significantly higher than that of NH inf4 sup+ when both N sources were applied together. Substantial loss of N occurred from both the sources, with NH inf4 sup+ showing greater losses. Baythroid was found to have a significant positive effect on dry matter yield of both root and shoot; N yield also increased significantly. Uptake of N from both the applied and native sources increased significantly in the presence of Baythroid and a substantial added nitrogen interaction (ANI) was determined. The positive effect of Baythroid was attributed to: (1) a prolonged availability of NH inf4 sup+ due to inhibition of nitrification, (2) an increased availability of native soil N through enhanced mineralization, and (3) an enhanced root proliferation.

Mineralization of soil organic nitrogen solubilized by aqua ammonia fertilizer

Organic N solubilized by NH3(aq) was extracted from 15N-labelled or unlabelled soil, concentrated and added to non-extracted soil, which was incubated under aerobic conditions at 27±1°C. Gross N mineralization, gross N immobilization, and nitrification in soils with or without addition of unlabelled soluble organic N were estimated by models based on the dilution of the NH 4 + or NO inf3 sup- pools, which were labelled with 15N at the beginning of incubation. Mineralization of labelled organic N was measured by the appearance of label in the mineral N pool. Although gross N mineralization and gross N immobilization were increased in two soils between day 0 and day 7 following addition of unlabelled organic N solubilized by NH3(aq), there was no increase in net N mineralization. Solubilization of 15N-labelled organic N increased and the 15N enrichment of the soluble organic N decereased as the concentration of NH3(aq) added increased. A constant proportion of approximately one-quarter of the labelled organic N added at different rates to non-extracted soil was recovered in the mineral N pool after an incubation period of 14 days, and the availability ratios calculated from net N mineralization data were 1.1:1 and 2.1:1 for 111 and 186 mg added organic-N kg-1 soil, respectively, indicating that the mineralization of organic N was increased by solubilization.

Nitrogen Transformations in Wetland Soil Cores Measured by (sup15)N Isotope Pairing and Dilution at Four Infiltration Rates

The effect of water infiltration rate (IR) on nitrogen cycling in a saturated wetland soil was investigated by applying a (sup15)N isotope dilution and pairing method. Water containing [(sup15)N]nitrate was infiltrated through 10-cm-long cores of sieved and homogenized soil at rates of 72, 168, 267, and 638 mm day(sup-1). Then the frequencies of (sup30)N(inf2), (sup29)N(inf2), (sup15)NO(inf3)(sup-), and (sup15)NH(inf4)(sup+) in the outflow water were measured. This method allowed simultaneous determination of nitrification, coupled and uncoupled denitrification, and nitrate assimilation rates. From 3% (at the highest IR) to 95% (at the lowest IR) of nitrate was removed from the water, mainly by denitrification. The nitrate removal was compensated for by the net release of ammonium and dissolved organic nitrogen. Lower oxygen concentrations in the soil at lower IRs led to a sharper decrease in the nitrification rate than in the ammonification rate, and, consequently, more ammonium leaked from the soil. The decreasing organic-carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (from 12.8 to 5.1) and the increasing light A(inf250)/A(inf365) ratio (from 4.5 to 5.2) indicated an increasing bioavailability of the outflowing dissolved organic matter with increasing IR. The efflux of nitrous oxide was also very sensitive to IR and increased severalfold when a zone of low oxygen concentration was close to the outlet of the soil cores. N(inf2)O then constituted 8% of the total gaseous N lost from the soil.

Effect of Phosphorus on the Synechococcus Cell Cycle in Surface Mediterranean Waters during Summer

The effect of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) additions on the Synechococcus cell cycle was tested with natural populations from the Mediterranean Sea in summer. In the absence of stimulation, the Synechococcus cell cycle was synchronized to the light-dark cycle. DNA synthesis began around 1600, a maximum of S-phase cells was observed at around dusk (2100), and a maximum of G(inf2)-phase cells was observed at around 2400. Addition of P (as PO(inf4)(sup3-)) caused, in all cases, a decrease in the fraction of cells in G(inf2) at around 1800, no change at around 2400, and an increase at around 1200 the next day, while addition of N (as NO(inf3)(sup-)) had no effect. We hypothesize that P addition induced a shortening of the G(inf1) phase, resulting in cells entering and leaving the S and G(inf2) phases earlier. These data suggest very strongly that the Synechococcus cells were P limited rather than N limited during this period of the year. In most cases, additions as low as 20 nM P induced a cell cycle response. From dose-response curves, we established that the P concentration inducing a 50% change in the percentage of cells in G(inf2) was low, close to 10 nM, at the beginning of the sampling period (30 June) and increased to about 50 nM by the end (9 July), suggesting a decrease in the severity of P limitation. This study extends recent observations that oligotrophic systems may be P rather than N limited at certain times of the year.

Effect of soil characteristics on N mineralization capacity in 112 native and agricultural soils from the northwest of Spain

N mineralization capacity and its main controlling factors were studied in a large variety (n=112) of native (forest, bush) and agricultural (pasture, cultivated) soils from several climatic zones in Spain. The available inorganic N content, net N mineralization, and net N mineralization rate were determined after 6 weeks of aerobic incubation. NH inf4 sup+ −N largely predominated over NO inf3 sup- -N (ratio near 10:1) except in some agricultural soils. Net N mineralization predominated (83% of soils) over net N immobilization, which was more frequent in agricultural soils (25%) than in native soils (9%). In forest soils, both net N mineralization and the net N mineralization rate were significantly higher than in the other soil groups. The net N mineralization rate of pasture and cultivated soils was similar to that of bush soils, but available inorganic N was lower. The net N mineralization rate decreased in the order: soils over acid rocks>soils over sediments>soils over basic rocks or limestone; moreover, the highest net N mineralization and available inorganic N were found in soils over acid rocks. The highest N mineralization was found in soils with low C and N contents, particularly in the native soils, in which N mineralization increased as the C:N ratio increased. N mineralization was higher in soils with a low pH and base saturation than in soils with high pH and base saturation values, which sometimes favoured N immobilization. Soils with an Al gel content of >1% showed lower net N mineralization rates than soils with Al gel contents of <1%, although net N mineralization and available inorganic N did not differ between these groups. The net N mineralization rate in silty soils was significantly lower than in sandy and clayey soils, although soil texture only explained a low proportion of the differences in N mineralization between soils.

Selection and evaluation of nitrate-tolerant strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viceae specific to the lentil

Seventeen strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viceae specific to the lentil (Lens culinaris L.) were screened, using the high-yielding lentil cultivar L 4076, for their tolerance to three levels of NO inf3 sup- : 0, 4, and 8 mM NO inf3 sup- . Preliminary screening of this symbiosis for nodulation and N fixation in the presence of NO inf3 sup- showed significant variations among the strains. The number of nodules decreased and nitrogenase activity was depressed in all strains in the presence of NO inf3 sup- . Strains L-1-87, L-27-89, L-33-89, and L-40-89 tolerated 8 mM NO inf3 sup- . Four strains, three tolerant of NO inf3 sup- (L-1-87, L-27-89, and L-33-89), and one sensitive (L-11-89) to NO inf3 sup- , were selected from preliminary screening and used in a pot experiment to assess the symbiosis in the presence of 6 mM NO inf3 sup- at three stages of plant growth, viz., 40 days, 60 days, and at the final harvest. In general, the weight of nodules and C2H2 reduction activity was significantly higher after 60 days than after 40 days. Inoculation with strain L-1-87 produced the maximum number of nodules, and root and shoot biomass both in the presence and the absence of NO inf3 sup- . Nitrate reductase activity in the tops and nodules was assayed only after 60 days and did not show significant variations among strains and NO inf3 sup- treatments. The grain yields for all strains except L-11-89 were significantly higher in the presence of NO inf3 sup- than in the absence of NO inf3 sup- , indicating that tolerant strains contributed symbiotically fixed N to the plant's N pool, resulting in an additive effect on yield. Inoculation with strain L-1-87 produced the maximum grain yield and this strain appears to have potential use as an inoculant in the presence of high levels of soil N.

A microsensor for nitrate based on immobilized denitrifying bacteria

A biosensor for NO(inf3)(sup-) was constructed by attaching a 30- to 70-(mu)m-wide capillary with immobilized denitrifying bacteria in front of an N(inf2)O microsensor. These bacteria reduced O(inf2) so that only bacteria in the very tip of the sensor were exposed to O(inf2) whereas bacteria at a greater depth could carry out the anaerobic process of denitrification. In the presence of acetylene, which inhibits nitrous oxide reductase, bacteria reduced NO(inf3)(sup-) (or NO(inf2)(sup-)) from the surrounding medium to N(inf2)O and the concentration sensed by the N(inf2)O microsensor was directly proportional to the concentration of NO(inf3)(sup-) in the medium. By applying a 250-(mu)m-long capillary in front of the N(inf2)O microsensor, the 90% response time of the biosensor was 50 s. Biosensors may also be made with nitrous oxide-deficient strains so that acetylene inhibition can be omitted.

Inhibition of N2 fixation by white clover (Trifolium repens L.) at low concentrations of NO inf3 sup? in flowing solution culture

The impact of sustained low external concentrations of NO 3 − (0, 10, 100 and 1000 mmol m−3) on plant growth and the relative acquisition of N through N2 fixation and NO 3 − uptake by established, nodulated white clover (Trifolium repens L. cv. Blanca) was studied over 28 days in flowing solution culture. Nitrogen fixation was measured by N difference and 15N dilution methods. Plants supplied with NO 3 − achieved higher relative growth rates (% MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaGabmiEayaara% aaaa!3702!\[\bar x\]=0.091 d−1) compared with ‘control’ plants dependent on N2 fixation (0.073 d−1). Nitrate plants showed progressive increases in shoot: root d.w. ratios from 4 to 6.5–7.6 between days 0–28, compared with 5.1 on day 28 for control plants. Increases in both nodule d.w. and numbers per plant were inhibited after day seven at all concentrations of NO 3 − . The severity of inhibition of N2 fixation increased with increasing NO 3 − concentration and with time. The total amounts of N2 fixed per plant between days 0–7 after supplying 10, 100 and 1000 mmol m−3 NO 3 − , respectively, were 37–39, 28–30 and 0–13%, of the total N acquired. Between days 7–28 the proportional contributions of N2 fixation to total N acquisition declined to 3, 0.5 and 0%, respectively, in these treatments. The corresponding mean specific rates of N2 fixation between days 0–7 were, respectively, 5.4, 3.2, and 2.0 mmol N d−1 g−1 nodule d.w., compared with 7.9 mmol N d−1 g−1 nodule d.w. for zero NO 3 − plants. There was no evidence of a transitory increase in N2 fixation following the addition of NO 3 − , even at the lowest supply concentration.

Influence of thiosulfate on nitrification, denitrification, and production of nitric oxide and nitrous oxide in soil

Thiosulfate and CS2 inhibit nitrification. The effect of the addition of thiosulfate on the turnover of inorganic N compounds was tested in an Egyptian and a German arable soil under nitrifying and denitrifying conditions. For nitrification, the soils were amended with NH inf4 sup+ and incubated under aerobic conditions. For denitrification, the soils were amended with NO inf3 sup- and incubated under anaerobic conditions. In both cases, the thiosulfate decreased with time while tetrathionate accumulated to an intermediate extent. Both compounds disappeared completely after <25 days. Production of CS2 was not observed. Carbonyl sulfide was produced only in the Egyptian soil, but production decreased with increasing amounts of added thiosulfate. Under nitrifying conditions, the addition of increasing amounts of thiosulfate (25, 50, and 100 μg S g-1 dry weight) resulted in decreasing rates of NH inf4 sup+ oxidation to NO inf3 sup- ; it also resulted in an increasing intermediate accumulation of NO inf2 sup- and NO, and in an increasing production of N2O. Under denitrifying conditions, the addition of increasing amounts of thiosulfate did not significantly affect the rate of NO inf3 sup- reduction, and resulted in an increasing intermediate accumulation of NO inf2 sup- and of NO only in the German soil in which the production of N2O was slightly inhibited by thiosulfate. These results demonstrate that the nitrification of NH inf4 sup+ and NO inf2 sup- was inhibited by increasing concentrations of thiosulfate and/or tetrathionate without involving the formation of volatile S compounds as potential nitrification inhibitors. Denitrification was not affected by the addition of thiosulfate.

Non-mycorrhizal uptake of amino acids by roots of the alpine sedge Kobresia myosuroides: implications for the alpine nitrogen cycle.

Non-mycorrhizal plants of the alpine sedge, Kobresia myosuroides, take up the amino acid glycine from nutrient solutions at greater rates than NO inf3sup- or NH inf4sup+ . The amino acids glutamate and proline were also taken up at high rates. Total plant biomass was twice as high after 4 months of growth on glycine, compared to NH4NO3, with significant increases in both root and leaf biomass. By taking advantage of differences in the δ13C signature of air in the growth chamber and the glycine used for growth, a two-member mixing model was used to estimate that a significant amount of the glycine was taken up as intact molecules, enough to contribute 16% of the total carbon assimilation over a 4-month growing period. Glycine uptake was inhibited when roots were exposed to N2 in place of air, and when the protonophore carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) was added to the root solution. From these results it is concluded that glycine uptake occurs through active transport. Glycine uptake exhibited a Q10 of 2.0 over the temperature range 5-15° C, with relatively high rates maintained at the lowest temperature measured (5° C). Roots of Kobreasia were not capable of taking up NH inf4sup+ at measureable rates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a plant whose non-mycorrhizal roots cannot take up NH inf4sup+ . Measurements of three N fractions (NO inf3sup- , NH inf4sup+ , and total amino acids) in the soil pore water were made over two growing seasons in two Kobresia dry meadows using microlysimeters. At the West Knoll site, which is characterized by soils with average amounts of organic matter, the dominant forms of N in the soil pore water were NO inf3sup- and NH inf4sup+ (0-450 μmol L-1). Amino acid concentrations were generally less than 20 μmol L-1 at this site. At the East Knoll site, which is characterized by soils with higher than average amounts of organic matter, amino acids were generally present at higher concentrations (17-100 μmol L-1), compared to NO inf3sup- and NH inf4sup+ . The most abundant amino acids were glycine (10-100 μmol L-1), glutamate (5-70 μmol L-1), and late in the season cystein (5-15 μmol L-1). The results demonstrate that this sedge, which dominates dry meadow communities in many alpine ecosystems, is capable of taking up intact amino acids as a principal N source, and has access to high amino acid concentrations in certain alpine soils. Such uptake of organic N may accommodate plant N demands in the face of slow alpine N mineralization rates due to cold soil temperatures.

Leaf 15N abundance of subarctic plants provides field evidence that ericoid, ectomycorrhizal and non-and arbuscular mycorrhizal species access different sources of soil nitrogen.

The natural abundance of the nitrogen isotope 15, δ15N, was analysed in leaves of 23 subarctic vascular plant species and two lichens from a tree-line heath at 450 m altitude and a fellfield at 1150 m altitude close to Abisko in N. Sweden, as well as in soil, rain and snow. The aim was to reveal if plant species with different types of mycorrhizal fungi also differ in their use of the various soil N sources. The dwarf shrubs and the shrubs, which in combination formed more than 65% of the total above-ground biomass at both sites, were colonized by ericoid or ectomycorrhizal fungi. Their leaf δ15N was between-8.8 and-5.5‰ at the heath and between-6.1 and -3.3‰ at the fellfield. The leaf δ15N of non- or arbuscular mycorrhizal species was markedly different, ranging from -4.1 to -0.4‰ at the heath, and from -3.4 to+2.2‰ at the fellfield. We conclude that ericoid and ectomycorrhizal dwarf shrubs and shrubs utilize a distinct N source, most likely a fraction of the organic N in fresh litter, and not complexed N in recalcitrant organic matter. The latter is the largest component of soil total N, which had a δ15N of -0.7‰ at the heath and +0.5‰ at the fellfield. Our field-based data thus support earlier controlled-environment studies and studies on the N uptake of excised roots, which have demonstrated protease activity and amino acid uptake by ericoid and ectomycorrhizal tundra species. The leaves of ectomycorrhizal plants had slightly higher δ15N (fellfield) and N concentration than leaves of the ericoids, and Betula nana, Dryas octopetala and Salix spp. also showed NO inf3sup- reductase activity. These species may depend more on soil inorganic N than the ericoids. The δ15N of non- or arbuscular mycorrhizal species indicates that the δ15N of inorganic N available to these plants was higher than that of average fresh litter, probably due to high microbial immobilization of inorganic N. The δ15N of NH inf4sup+ -N was +12.3‰ in winter snow and +1.9‰ in summer rain. Precipitation N might be a major contributer in species with poorly developed root systems, e.g. Lycopodium selago. Our results show that coexisting plant species under severe nutrient limitation may tap several different N sources: NH inf4sup+ , NO inf3sup- and organic N from the soil, atmospheric N2, and N in precipitation. Ericoid and ectomycorrhizal fungi are of major importance for plant N uptake in tundra ecosystems, and mycorrhizal fungi probably exert a major control on plant δ15N in organic soils.

Water chemistry and periphyton in an alpine wetland

Remote high elevation sites are thought to be good sites to monitor global change and anthropogenic effects on ecosystems. This study was conducted during 1987–1990 in a high elevation wetland (3593 m) located in the Green Lakes Valley, Front Range, Colorado (USA). Salix spp. was the dominant riparian species in this 2 ha. wetland. Small shallow pools ( K+ + Na+; dominant anions were SO inf4 sup−2 ≫ HCO inf3 sup− > NO inf3 sup− ≫ Cl−. Nutrient limitation by P was demonstrated once using nutrient diffusing substrata. No limitation could be shown for NO inf3 sup− , HCO inf3 sup− , or Fe+EDTA. Slow colonization rates of periphyton on tiles were attributed to low temperatures and/or ultraviolet radiation. However, interannual differences in biomass on tiles were as much as 300% after 35 days. A minimum of 16–54 samples would be needed to detect a significant interannual change in biomass on tiles after 35 days assuming that the extreme case for periphyton patchiness. Global climate change is likely to affect discharge and water temperature in this wetland which hill have direct and indirect affects on population dynamics and ecosystem function.

Kinetics of inhibition of methane oxidation by nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium in a humisol

The kinetics of inhibition of CH(inf4) oxidation by NH(inf4)(sup+), NO(inf2)(sup-), and NO(inf3)(sup-) in a humisol was investigated. Soil slurries exhibited nearly standard Michaelis-Menten kinetics, with half-saturation constant [K(infm(app))] values for CH(inf4) of 50 to 200 parts per million of volume (ppmv) and V(infmax) values of 1.1 to 2.5 nmol of CH(inf4) g of dry soil(sup-1) h(sup-1). With one soil sample, NH(inf4)(sup+) acted as a simple competitive inhibitor, with an estimated K(infi) of 8 (mu)M NH(inf4)(sup+) (18 nM NH(inf3)). With another soil sample, the response to NH(inf4)(sup+) addition was more complex and the inhibitory effect of NH(inf4)(sup+) was greater than predicted by a simple competitive model at low CH(inf4) concentrations (<50 ppmv). This was probably due to NO(inf2)(sup-) produced through NH(inf4)(sup+) oxidation. Added NO(inf2)(sup-) was inherently more inhibitory of CH(inf4) oxidation at low CH(inf4) concentrations, and more NO(inf2)(sup-) was produced as the CH(inf4)-to-NH(inf4)(sup+) ratio decreased and the competitive balance shifted. NaNO(inf3) was a noncompetitive inhibitor of CH(inf4) oxidation, but inhibition was evident only at >10 mM concentrations, which also altered soil pHs. Similar concentrations of NaCl were also inhibitory of CH(inf4) oxidation, so there may be no special inhibitory mechanism of nitrate per se.

Effect of nitrogen fertiliser on temporal and spatial variation of mineral nitrogen and microbial biomass in a silvopastoral system

This paper describes a field study to assess the effect of increasing the frequency of split applications of N fertiliser on the pattern of plant uptake, soil N availability, and microbial biomass C and N. Measurements were taken during the growing season in different positions relative to young trees (Prunus avium L.) in an upland silvopastoral system in its first year after establishment. At fertiliser rates of 72 and 144 kg ha-1 N applied as NH4NO3, increasing the number of split applications increased N uptake by the pasture. Mineral forms of soil N measured 2 weeks after application indicated that residual NH inf4 sup+ -N and total mineral N were also greater in this treatment on certain dates. Soil NO inf3 sup- -N was positively correlated with the soil moisture content, and nitrification reached a maximum in early May and declined rapidly thereafter except within the herbicide-treated areas around the trees where soil moisture had been conserved. Results of the study suggest that high NO inf3 sup- -N in herbicide-treated areas was probably caused by mineralisation of grass residues and low uptake by the tree rather than by preferential urine excretion by sheep sheltering beside the trees. Mean microbial biomass C and N values of 894 and 213 kg ha-1, respectively, were obtained. Microbial C was slightly increased by the higher frequency of split applications at 144 kg ha-1 N and was probably related to the greater herbage production with this treatment. Microbial N was not significantly affected by the N treatments. Both microbial biomass C and N increased during the growing season, resulting in the net immobilisation of at least 45 kg ha-1 N which was later released during the autumn.

Flow-microcalorimetry measurements of aerobic and anaerobic soil microbial activity

Heat output can be used as an indicator of microbial activity and is usually measured in a microcalorimeter with closed ampoules. In long-term experiments particularly, interpretation of the data is hindered by the changing environment in the closed ampoules because of O2 consumption and CO2 enrichment. We used a combination of a flow-microcalorimeter and a gas chromatograph to measure the heat flux and CO2 and N2O production rates under controlled conditions. Simultaneous detection of the heat output and CO2 emission allowed calculation of the calorimetric: CO2 (Cal/CO2) ratio. A mean ratio of-435 kJ mol-1 CO2 was detected in six different soils amended with glucose and incubated under aerobic conditions. This ratio indicated that CO2 was the end-product of catabolism. In wet 10–12 mm soil aggregates of a gleyic vertisol amended with glucose, values of-285 kJ mol-1 CO2 under an aerobic and-141 kJ mol-1 CO2 under a N2 atmosphere was determined. These findings indicated that fermentative metabolism occurred. The Cal/CO2 ratio was not affected when enough NO inf3 sup- was available and denitrification processes (N2O production) were possible.

Bromate reduction by denitrifying bacteria

In the presence of bromide, ozonation as applied in water treatment results in the formation of bromate, an ion with carcinogenic properties. The reduction of bromate by mixed bacterial populations as well as pure cultures was studied under laboratory conditions. Bromate was reduced to bromide by a mixed bacterial population with and without a preceding nitrate reduction step in an anaerobically incubated medium with ethanol as the energy and carbon source at 20 and 25 deg C. The predominating bacteria isolated from the batches showing bromate reduction were identified as Pseudomonas spp. Strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens reduced BrO(inf3)(sup-) to Br(sup-) but at a much lower rate than the mixed bacterial population did. Nitrate is a preferred electron acceptor for the bromate-reducing bacteria. Bromate reduction did not occur in the presence of NO(inf3)(sup-), and the rate of bromate reduction was at least 100 times lower than the rate of nitrate reduction. Bromate was completely converted to Br(sup-), indicating that intermediates, e.g., BrO(inf2)(sup-), did not accumulate during bromate reduction.