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

• DOI: 10.1038/srep03950
• Publication Date: 2014-02-04T10:08:40Z
• Authors: Tao Huang; Bing Gao; Xiao-Kang Hu; Xing Lu; Reinhard Well; Peter Christie; Lars R. Bakken; Xiao-Tang Ju
• Keywords: Nitrous oxide; Microcosm

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