Global emissions inventories of acid-related compounds

Computer assessments of the atmospheric chemistry and air quality of the past, present, and future rely in part on inventories of emissions constructed on appropriate spatial and temporal scales and with appropriate chemical species. Accurate inventories are also of substantial utility to field measurement scientists and the regulatory and policy communities. The production of global emissions inventories is the task of the Global Emissions Inventory Activity (GEIA) of the International Global Atmospheric Chemistry Project (IGAC). This paper presents a summary of recent emissions inventories from GEIA and other programs for reference year 1985, with special attention directed to emissions of the acid-related compounds CO₂ (6.2 Pg C yr^–1 anthropogenic), SO_x (65 Tg S yr^–1 anthropogenic and 15 Tg S yr^–1 natural), NO_x (21 Tg N yr^–1 anthropogenic and 15–20 Tg N yr^–1 natural), HCl (55 Tg Cl yr^–1 total), and NH₃ (45 Tg N yr^–1 total). The global acid-equivalent flux of about 4.2 Teq H⁺yr^–1 is about equally attributable to SO_x and NO_x emissions. For some of the acid-related species, historic inventories are available for a century or more; all show dramatic emissions increases over that period. IPCC scenario IS92a is used here as the basis for constructing global acid-related emissions estimates for selected years to 2100; among the results are that acid equivalent emissions are expected to more than double in the coming century.     

Acidic deposition,ecosystem processes,and nitrogen saturation in a high elevation Southern Appalachian watershed

High-elevation red spruce-Fraser fir forests in the Southern Appalachian mountains: 1) receive among the highest rates of atmospheric deposition measured in North America, 2) contain old-growth forests, 3) have shown declines in forest health, 4) have sustained high insect-caused fir mortality, and 5) contain poorly buffered soils and stream systems. High rates of nitrogen and sulphur deposition (1900 and 2200 Eq·ha^–1·yr^–1, respectively) are dominated by dry and cloud deposition processes. Large leaching fluxes of nitrate-nitrogen (100–1400 Eq·ha^–1·yr^–1) occur within the soil profile. We have expanded the study to the watershed scale with monitoring of: precipitation, throughfall, stream hydrology, and stream chemistry. Two streamlets drain the 17.4 ha Noland Divide Watershed (1676–1920m) located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A network of 50 20x20 m plots is being used to assess stand structure, biomass, and soil nutrient pools. Nitrate is the predominant anion in the streamlets (weighted concentrations: 47 and 54 eq·L^–1 NO₃ ^–; 31 and 43 eq·L^–1 SO₄ ^2–). Watershed nitrate export is extremely high (1000 Eq·ha^–1 yr^–1), facilitating significant base cation exports. Stream acid neutralizing capacity values are extremely low (–10 to 20 eq·L^–1) and episodic acidifications (pH declines of a full unit in days or weeks time) occur. Annual streamwater sulfate export is on the order of 770 Eq·ha^–1yr^–1 or about one-third of total annual inputs, indicating there is net watershed sulfate retention. The system is highly nitrogen saturated (Stage 2, Stoddard, 1994) and this condition promotes both chronic and episodic stream acidification.     

Nitrogen critical loads for natural and semi-natural ecosystems: The empirical approach

One of the major threats to the structure and the functioning of natural and semi-natural ecosystems is the recent increase in air-borne nitrogen pollution (NH_y and NO_x). Ecological effects of increased N supply are reviewed with respect to changes in vegetation and fauna in terrestrial and aquatic natural and semi-natural ecosystems. Observed and validated changes using data of field surveys, experimental studies or, of dynamic ecosystem models (the empirical approach), are used as an indication for the impacts of N deposition. Based upon these data N critical loads are set with an indication of the reliability. Critical loads are given within a range per ecosystem, because of spatial differences in ecosystems. The following groups of ecosystems have been treated: softwater lakes, wetlands & bogs, species-rich grasslands, heathlands and forests. In this paper the effects of N deposition on softwater lakes have been discussed in detail and a summary of the N critical loads for all groups of ecosystems is presented. The nitrogen critical load for the most sensitive ecosystems (softwater lakes, ombrotrophic bogs) is between 5–10 kg N ha^–1 yr^–1, whereas a more average value for the range of studied ecosystems is 15–20 kg N ha^–1 yr^–1. Finally, major gaps in knowledge with respect to N critical loads are identified.     

Long-term trends in the chemistry of precipitation and lake water in the Adirondack Region of New York,USA

Long-term changes in the chemistry of precipitation (1978–94) and 16 lakes (1982–94) were investigated in the Adirondack region of New York, USA. Time-series analysis showed that concentrations of SO₄ ^2–, NO₃ ^–, NH₄ ⁺ and basic cations have decreased in precipitation, resulting in increases in pH. A relatively uniform rate of decline in SO₄ ^2– concentrations in lakes across the region (1.81±0.35 eq L^–1 yr^–1) suggests that this change was due to decreases in atmospheric deposition. The decrease in lake SO₄ ^2– was considerably less than the rate of decline anticipated from atmospheric deposition. This discrepancy may be due to release of previously deposited SO₄ ^2– from soil, thereby delaying the recovery of lake water acidity. Despite the marked declines in concentrations of SO₄ ^2– in Adirondack lakes, there has been no systematic increase in pH and ANC. The decline in SO₄ ^2– has corresponded with a near stoichiometric decrease in concentrations of basic cations in low ANC lakes. A pattern of increasing NO₃ ^– concentrations that was evident in lakes across the region during the 1980's has been followed by a period of lower concentrations. Currently there are no significant trends in NO₃ ^– concentrations in Adirondack lakes.     

Nitrogen availability and leaching during the terrestrial phase in a várzea forest of the Central Amazon floodplain

Availability and leaching of dissolved inorganic N (DIN = NH₄⁺ + NO₃^-) in soil were measured in a periodically flooded forest of the Central Amazon floodplain (várzea) during one terrestrial phase. Special emphasis was on the effects of a legume and a non-legume tree species. NH₄⁺-N accounted for more than 85% of DIN even at the end of the terrestrial phase although it decreased throughout the experimental period. While extractable NO₃^–-N was always low in the soil (less than 15% of DIN), the amount of leached NO₃^–-N was in the same range as NH₄⁺-N. Under the legume trees mean DIN contents of the topsoil were higher than under the non-legume trees. DIN leaching from the topsoil (0–20 cm) was significantly higher under the legume trees than at the other sites, also indicating a higher N availability. Therefore, despite considerable leaching legume trees may be an important source of N supporting a high biomass production of the várzea forest.     

Precipitation chemistry at sinhagad-a hill station in India

The chemistry of precipitation in remote sites such as mountain tops is of interest in the study of atmospheric pollution and acid rain. The chemical composition measured at mountain site which is away from industrial and urban areas is useful as a reference level and it allows to determine the extent of anthropogenic contamination. Hence, rain water samples were collected at Sinhagad (18°21N, 73°45E, 1450 m asl during the monsoon season (June-September) of 1992 and were analysed for major ions. The precipitation samples collected at Sinhagad were alkaline in nature and pH values ranged between 5.9 to 6.76. The ionic composition was dominated by soil dust The concentration of Ca²⁺ was highest among all the ions. The concentrations of excess SO₃ ^2– and NO₄ ^– were small (23.8 and 15.2 eq l^–1 respectively) compared to the values of polluted regions in India. The correlation coefficient between the ions and pH values was calculated and it was found to be maximum in case of Ca²⁺. Precipitation samples collected at Sinhagad were alkaline owing to higher concentration of Ca²⁺ and lower levels of acidic pollutants (SO₄ ^2– and NO₃ ^–).     

Trace gas emissions from soil of the central highlands of Mexico as affected by natural vegetation: a laboratory study

In the central highlands of Mexico, mesquite (Prosopis laevigata) and huisache (Acacia schaffneri), N₂-fixing trees or shrubs, dominate the vegetation and are currently used in a reforestation program to prevent erosion. We investigated how natural vegetation or cultivation of soil affected oxidation of CH₄, and production of N₂O. Soil was sampled under the canopy of mesquite (MES treatment) and huisache trees (HUI treatment), outside their canopy (OUT treatment) and from fields cultivated with maize (ARA treatment) at three different sites while production of CO₂, and dynamics of CH₄, N₂O and inorganic N (NH₄⁺, and NO₃^–) were monitored in an aerobic incubation. The production of CO₂ was 2.3 times higher and significantly greater in the OUT treatment, 3.0 times higher in the MES treatment and 4.0 times higher in the HUI treatment compared to the ARA treatment. There was no significant difference in oxidation of CH₄ between the treatments, which ranged from 0.019 g CH₄–C kg^–1 day^–1 for the HUI treatment to 0.033 CH₄–C kg^–1 day^–1 for the MES treatment. The production of N₂O was 30 g N₂O–N kg^–1 day^–1 in the MES treatment and >8 times higher compared to the other treatments. The average concentration of NO₃^– was 2 times higher and significantly greater in the MES treatment than in the HUI treatment, 3 times greater than in the OUT treatment and 10 times greater than in the ARA treatment. It was found that cultivation of soil decreased soil organic matter content, C and N mineralization, but not oxidation of CH₄ or production of N₂O.     

Relation between sulphur concentrations in the Scots pine needles and the air in northernmost Europe

The SO₂ emissions from the Kola Peninsula in Arctic Russia (totalling around 600 Gg(SO₂) yr^–1 at the beginning of the 1990s) produce an atmospheric SO₂ concentration gradient to the northernmost Europe. This gradient covers the range from >50 g m^–3 in the vicinity of the sources to 1 g m^–3 in Finnish Lapland. In the present study, the measured sulphur concentrations in Scots pine needles were compared with the estimated distribution of atmospheric SO₂. The total sulphur concentrations in the needles ranged from 741 to 2017 mg kg^–1. Strongly elevated concentrations (> 1200 mg kg^–1) were found within 40 km from the smelters corresponding to an area where the annual mean atmospheric SO₂ concentration exceeded 10 g m^–3. The foliar sulphur concentrations (total, organic and inorganic) show a high correlation with the estimated mean SO₂ concentration distribution in the air. Consequently the foliar sulphur concentrations reflected the atmospheric sulphur load well. The data presented here show that uptake via stomata is an important deposition pathway also in the arctic conditions with a short growing season.     

Nitrogen Leaching of Two Forest Ecosystems in a Karst Watershed

Karst watersheds are a major source of drinking water in the European Alps. These watersheds exhibit quick response times and low residence times, which might make karst aquifers more vulnerable to elevated nitrogen (N) deposition than non-karst watersheds. We summarize 13 years of monitoring NO ₃ ^? , NH ₄ ⁺ , and total N in two forest ecosystems, a Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) forest on Cambisols/Stagnosols (IP I) and a mixed beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) spruce forest on Leptosols (IP II). N fluxes are calculated by multiplying concentrations, measured in biweekly intervals, with hydrological fluxes predicted from a hydrological model. The total N deposition in the throughfall amounts to 26.8 and 21.1 kg/ha/year in IP I and IP II, respectively, which is high compared to depositions found in other European forest ecosystems. While the shallow Leptosols at IP II accumulated on average 9.2 kg/ha/year of N between 1999 and 2006, the N budgets of the Cambisols/Stagnosols at IP I were equaled over the study period but show high inter-annual variation. Between 1999 and 2006, on average, 9 kg/ha/year of DON and 20 kg/ha/year of DIN were output with seepage water of IP I but only 4.5 kg/ha/year of DON and 7.7 kg/ha/year of DIN at IP II. Despite high DIN leaching, neither IP I nor IP II showed further signs of N saturation in their organic layer C/N ratios, N mineralization, or leaf N content. The N budget over all years was dominated by a few extreme output events. Nitrate leaching rates at both forest ecosystems correlated the most with years of above average snow accumulation (but only for IP I this correlation is statistically significant). Both snow melt and total annual precipitation were most important drivers of DON leaching. IP I and IP II showed comparable temporal patterns of both concentrations and flux rates but exhibited differences in magnitudes: DON, NO ₃ ^? , and NH ₄ ⁺ inputs peak in spring, NH ₄ ⁺ showed an additional peak in autumn; the bulk of the annual NO ₃ ^? and DON output occurred in spring; DON, NO ₃ ^? , and NH ₄ ⁺ output rates during winter months were low. The high DIN leaching at IP I was related to snow cover effects on N mineralization and soil hydrology. From the year 2004 onwards, disproportional NO ₃ ^? leaching occurred at both plots. This was possibly caused by the exceptionally dry year 2003 and a small-scale bark beetle infestation (at IP I), in addition to snow cover effects. This study shows that both forest ecosystems at Zöbelboden are still N limited. N leaching pulses, particularly during spring, dictate not only annual but also the long-term N budgets. The overall magnitude of N leaching to the karst aquifer differs substantially between forest and soil types, which are found in close proximity in the karstified areas of the Northern Limestone Alps in Austria.     

Input-Output Budgets of Inorganic Nitrogen for 24 Forest Watersheds in the Northeastern United States: A Review

Input-output budgets for dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) are summarized for 24 small watersheds at 15 locations in the northeasternUnited States. The study watersheds are completely forested, free of recent physical disturbances, and span a geographical region bounded by West Virginia on the south and west, and Maine on the north and east. Total N budgets are not presented; however, fluxes of inorganic N in precipitation and streamwater dominate inputs and outputs of N at these watersheds. The range in inputs of DIN in wet-only precipitation from nearby National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) sites was 2.7 to 8.1 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1 (mean = 6.4 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1; median = 7.0 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1). Outputs of DIN in streamwater ranged from 0.1 to 5.7 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1 (mean = 2.0 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1; median = 1.7 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1). Precipitation inputs of DIN exceeded outputs in streamwater at all watersheds, with net retention of DIN ranging from 1.2 to 7.3 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1 (mean = 4.4 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1; median = 4.6 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1). Outputs of DIN in streamwater were predominantly NO₃-N (mean = 89%; median = 94%). Wet deposition of DIN was not significantly related to DIN outputs in streamwater for these watersheds. Watershed characteristics such as hydrology, vegetation type, and land-use history affect DIN losses and may mask any relationship between inputs and outputs. Consequently, these factors need to be included in the development of indices and simulation models for predicting 'nitrogen saturation' and other ecological processes.     

Precipitation chemistry in Japan 1989–1993

Precipitation chemistry in Japan was discussed on a wet-only sample database obtained in a nationwide survey from April 1989 to March 1993. Wet-only samples were collected at 29 stations over Japan on a biweekly basis. Commonly determined chemical parameters were measured in laboratories. The volume-weighted annual mean pH at each site ranged from 4.50 to 5.83 with a mean of 4.76. Concentration ranges and means (parenthesized) on an equivalent basis for major ions were as follows: nss-SO₄ ^2–; 5.2–58.9 (38.6), NO₃ ^–; 1.8–25.0 (14.1), NH₄ ⁺; 0.55–29.8 (18.3), nss-Ca²⁺; 2.0–34.5(14.2), Na⁺; 6.4–275.3 (49.1), Cl^–; 13.7–322.4 (63.5) eq L^–1. Acid-base relationships for Phase-II records were quantitatively discussed in terms of three measures: pH, fractional acidity, and our proposed pA_i.     

Short-term nitrogen transformation rates in riparian wetland soil determined with nitrogen-15

N transformation rates in soil from a riparian wetland that receives runoff from adjacent pastoral land were investigated in a short-term (250 min), anaerobic laboratory incubation (20°C). A joint ¹⁵N tracing-isotope dilution technique was employed that used paired incubations of labelled (99 atom % ¹⁵N) NO₃^–-unlabelled NH₄⁺ and unlabelled NO₃^–-labelled (99 atom % ¹⁵N) NH₄⁺ at three N input levels (0.4, 4 and 24 g N g^–1 soil). At each N input level NO₃^– and NH₄⁺ were added in equal proportions (0.2, 2 and 12 g N g^–1 soil). Soil and gas samples were analysed after 10, 70 and 250 min, and the fate of ¹⁵N and N transformation rates were determined for each time period; 0–10 min (phase 1), 10–70 min (phase 2) and 70–250 min (phase 3). N transformation rates for all processes except gross NH₄⁺ mineralisation were very high during phase 1. Processes favoured by aerobic conditions, NO₃^– immobilisation (0–17% NO₃^– removal, 0–8.2 g N g^–1 soil h^–1), autotrophic nitrification (~2% NH₄⁺ removal, 0.58–0.88 g N g^–1 soil h^–1) and heterotrophic nitrification (11–35 g N g^–1 soil h^–1) increased with increased N input while the anaerobic dissimilatory NO₃^– reduction to NH₄⁺ process (1–6% NO₃^– removal, 0.48–0.62 g N g^–1 soil h^–1) decreased, presumably due to the oxidising effect of higher NO₃^– inputs. Denitrification (8–78% NO₃^– removal, 3.8–9.6 g N g^–1 soil h^–1) exhibited no clear trend related to N input levels. NH₄⁺ immobilisation (39–72% NH₄⁺ removal, 15–19 g N g^–1 soil h^–1) was higher than NO₃^– immobilisation. Gross NH₄⁺ mineralisation (0.27–0.80 g N g^–1 soil h^–1) was the only process not detected in phase 1 and one of few processes measurable in phases 2 or 3.     

Contributions of nitrification and denitrification to N2O emissions from soils at different water-filled pore space

A combination of stable isotope and acetylene (0.01% v/v) inhibition techniques were used for the first time to determine N₂O production during denitrification, autotrophic nitrification and heterotrophic nitrification in a fertilised (200 kg N ha^–1) silt loam soil at contrasting (20–70%) water-filled pore space (WFPS). ¹⁵N-N₂O emissions from ¹⁴NH₄¹⁵NO₃ replicates were attributed to denitrification and ¹⁵N-N₂O from ¹⁵NH₄¹⁵NO₃ minus that from ¹⁴NH₄¹⁵NO₃ replicates was attributed to nitrification and heterotrophic nitrification in the presence of acetylene, as there was no dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium or immobilisation and remineralisation of ¹⁵N-NO₃^–. All of the N₂O emitted at 70% WFPS (31.6 mg N₂O-N m^–2 over 24 days; 1.12 g N₂O-N g dry soil^–1; 0.16% of N applied) was produced during denitrification, but at 35–60% WFPS nitrification was the main process producing N₂O, accounting for 81% of ¹⁵N-N₂O emitted at 60% WFPS, and 7.9 g ¹⁵N-N₂O m^–2 (0.28 ng ¹⁵N-N₂O g dry soil^–1) was estimated to be emitted over 7 days during heterotrophic nitrification in the 50% WFPS treatment and accounted for 20% of ¹⁵N-N₂O from this treatment. Denitrification was the predominant N₂O-producing process at 20% WFPS (2.6 g ¹⁵N-N₂O m^–2 over 7 days; 0.09 ng ¹⁵N-N₂O g dry soil^–1; 85% of ¹⁵N-N₂O from this treatment) and may have been due to the occurrence of aerobic denitrification at this WFPS. Our results demonstrate the usefulness of a combined stable isotope and acetylene approach to quantify N₂O emissions from different processes and to show that several processes may contribute to N₂O emission from agricultural soils depending on soil WFPS.     

Patterns of nitrate loss from a chronosequence of clear-cut watersheds

Three clear-cuts at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (NH) have resulted in a chronosequence of forest watersheds in close proximity. Following clear-cutting, the stands, now 12, 21, 27, and 78 years old, have different species composition, nutrient capital, and biogeochemistry. In this study, we compared seasonal patterns of NO₃ ^– in streamwater, changes in N capital, and N retention in watersheds of differing stand age. All of the watersheds showed elevated losses of NO₃ ^–, H⁺ and nutrient cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺) during the first few years following clear-cutting. Increased retention of N occurred during vegetation regrowth compared to the reference watershed (W6). Nitrate concentrations were low during the summer growing season, increased in the late fall and peaked in March during spring snowmelt. Concentrations of NO₃ ^– were lower in the regrowing watersheds than in W6 during all months. In W6, there was considerable year-to-year variability in N retention, which was not initially observed in the manipulated watersheds. However, two cut watersheds exhibited higher export of NO₃ ^– in 1989 and 1990, corresponding to a 10-year high value in annual NO₃ ^– loss in W6. These results demonstrate the importance of land use and cutting history in assessments of N saturation and loss from forest watersheds.     

A preliminary assessment of nitrogen-based fresh water acidification in southeastern Canada

Sulphate deposition is the primary cause of acidification in northeastern North America, and new SO₂ emission control is being implemented. However, continuation of existing levels of N deposition may undermine the environmental benefits derived from SO₂ control. This likelihood has been assessed for Canadian lakes. Maximum N deposition (～13 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1) occurs in south-central Ontario and southwestern Quebec. Regional median NO ₃ ^? levels are generally low (<5 μeq L^?1) suggesting that on average, N-based acidification is minor compared to the S-based component. However, examination of the seasonal NO ₃ ^? pattern at 5 intensively monitored basins reveals that 2 of them (in Ontario and Quebec) have incipient N saturation. A regional status for nitrogen-based acidification was qualitatively assessed by classifying survey data to identify cases of NO ₃ ^? leaching. Many lakes throughout southeastern Canada exhibit some leaching, particularly those in south-central Ontario and southwestern Quebec. While the evidence for a deposition-acidification link appears strong, sources of N other than the atmosphere should be considered for certain anomalous cases.     

Effects of ammonium and nitrate additions on carbon mineralization in wetland soils

Wetlands have been recognized as a soil carbon (C) sink due to low decomposition. As decomposition is largely controlled by the availability of soil nitrogen (N), an elevated anthropogenic N input could influence the C balance in wetlands. However, the effects of the form of N on decomposition are poorly understood. Here, a 54-day laboratory incubation experiment was conducted, with a diel cycle (day: 22 °C for 13 h; night: 17 °C for 11 h) in order to determine how the dominant N form influences the mineralization of soil C in two adjacent wetland soils, with distinct physicochemical characteristics. Three combinations of N compounds were added at three different rates (0, 30, 60 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹): Ammonium dominant (NH₄Cl + NH₄NO₃); nitrate dominant (NH₄NO₃ + NaNO₃); and ammonium nitrate treatments (NH₄NO₃). In the acidic soil, the CO₂ efflux was reduced with N additions, especially with NH₄NO₃ treatment. In addition, decreases in the microbial enzyme activities (β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-glucosaminidase, phosphatase, and phenol oxidase) and soil pH were observed with NH₄NO₃ and -dominant treatment. Under alkaline conditions, marginal changes in response to N additions were observed in the soil CO₂ efflux, extractable DOC, simple substrate utilization, enzyme activities and pH. A regression analysis revealed that the changes in pH and enzyme activities after fertilization significantly influenced the soil CO₂ efflux. Our findings suggest that the form of N additions could influence the rate of C cycling in wetland soils via biological (enzyme activities) and chemical (pH) changes.     

Soil Acidification and Solute Budgets for Forested Lysimeters in Nordrhein-Westfalen

Solute budgets and nitrogen use were quantified in two 400 m² forested lysimeters in St. Arnold, Nordrhein-Westfalen. The lysimeters are covered by a mixture of oak-beech and Weymouth pine, respectively. The average bulk deposition between May 1985 and May 1987 of NH, SO and NO₃ was 1.1, 1.7, and 0.4 kmol_c ha^?1 yr^?1 in the deciduous stand and 2.1, 2.1, and 0.8 kmol_c ha^?1 yr^?1 in the coniferous stand. The input of N is almost completely retained in the deciduous stand. In the coniferous stand about 30% of this N-input is leached as NO₃. Due to N-transformations, total proton turnover is 4.4 kmol_c ha^?1 yr^?1 in the coniferous stand and only 2.5 kmol_c ha^?1 yr^?1 in the deciduous stand. Ca-mobilization is the major acid buffering process in both lysimeters. Only the deciduous stand was limed in 1980 (90 kmol_c/ha). Mobilization of Al is only relevant down to a soil depth of 30 cm. Below a 30 cm depth, Al is immobilized. The amounts of exchangeable and silicate-bound Ca in the soil underlying the coniferous stand are very small, but no evidence was found for explanation of the observed high Ca-mobilization by artificial Ca-sources.     

Effects of N sources and methane concentrations on methane uptake potential of a typical coniferous forest and its adjacent orchard soil

After removal of the above-ground plant debris three different soil layers were taken from a typical coniferous forest and its adjacent orchard in Numata City, Japan. The potentials of soil CH₄ uptake at two initial CH₄ concentrations were studied under aerobic conditions in the laboratory, along with inhibition of soil CH₄ oxidation by urea-N or KNO₃-N addition. Due to long-term N inputs, the CH₄ uptake of the upper mineral layer of the orchard soil was 25.4% and 87.7% lower than that of the surface forest soil at 2.4 and 12.6 l l^–1 CH₄, respectively. Methane uptake of the forest soil decreased with increasing soil depths at two CH₄ levels. However, maximal CH₄-consuming activity occurred in the 9- to 23-cm depth of the orchard soil at 12.6 l l^–1 methane. Nitrogen additions in the form of KNO₃ or urea at the rate of 200 g N g^–1 soil substantially reduced soil CH₄ uptake in the upper and sub-surface mineral layers at both sites, except that the addition of KNO₃-N had no apparent inhibitory effect on the CH₄ uptake in the 9- to 23-cm depth of the orchard soil. A strong inhibitory effect of NO₃^– addition on the CH₄ uptake, in contrast to NH₄⁺, occurred in the surface forest soil. The use of KNO₃-N, as compared to urea or urea plus a nitrification inhibitor (dicyandiamide), resulted in a lower potential to cause inhibition of CH₄ oxidation in the 0- to 23-cm depth of the orchard soil.     

Effects of the herbicide Topogard on soil respiration, nitrification, and denitrification in potato-cultivated soils differing in pH

We investigated the effects of Topogard 50 WP (3 kg ha^–1) on soil respiration, mineral N content, and number of denitrifying and total bacteria in four coarse-textured volcanic soils for 91 days. Topogard application decreased CO₂ evolution in acid soils (Tepedibi and Karaçakl) whereas soil respiration was initially increased in neutral and alkaline soils (Kaba and Balar). The herbicide application significantly stimulated ammonification in Kaba and Balar soils, while Tepedibi and Karaçakl soils showed significantly lower NH₄⁺-N contents than the control. The treatment inhibited the activity of nitrifying microorganisms and, thus it decreased the NO₃^–-N content in Tepedibi, Karaçakl, and Kaba soils, whereas the NO₃^–-N content was increased in Balar soil. The NO₂^–-N content of soils was not affected by the treatment. The activity of denitrifying bacteria was stimulated by the addition of herbicide in all soils, whereas the total number of bacteria was not influenced. It may be concluded that the effects of Topogard on the microbiological characteristics of coarse-textured soils are likely to be dependent on soil pH.     

Characterization of nitrogen dynamics in a pasture soil by electromagnetic induction

The aim of this study was to investigate how electromagnetic induction can be used to improve the characterization of N dynamics in a 1.2 ha pasture. The soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) was measured by electromagnetic induction using an EM38DD. At 116 locations, soil samples were taken according to a clustered sampling design, three times during one winter, and analyzed for the NO₃^––N content in the topsoil (0–60 cm). Management zones were delineated using a fuzzy k-means classification of the interpolated ECa measurements. Two ECa zones were found, reflecting mainly differences in soil texture. Since the mean NO₃^––N content was different for the two ECa zones (24 and 65 kg/ha in November 2002), the residuals were interpolated using stratified simple kriging. This allowed evaluating the NO₃^– dynamics during the winter in both zones; one ECa zone showed a higher risk for NO₃^– losses than the other calling for a site-specific N management. As a validation, NO₃^––N was interpolated using ordinary kriging without stratification. This resulted in similar zones confirming the usefulness of the ECa measurements to assess N-specific management zones, even within small fields.