The oxygen resources of the hypolimnion of ionically enriched onondaga lake,NY, U.S.A.

The depletion of hypolimnetic DO and the upper depth boundary of anoxia for four different years (1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981), and the accumulation of sulfide for a single year (1981), are documented for ionically enriched hypereutrophic Onondaga Lake, NY, USA. The depletion rate, represented as the areal hypolimnetic oxygen deficit (AHOD, g m^?2 day^?1), was extremely high (1.2–2.7 g m^?2 day^?1), The large differences in the rate within individual years and from year to year were largely a result of differences in attendant vertical mixing (parameterized as the hypolimnetic heating rate). The entire hypolimnion (depth interval from 11 to 20 m) was without O₂ by late June of all 4 yr; anoxia was observed above the hypolimnion on some occasions when secondary stratification occurred. Sulfide accumulated progressively in the hypolimnion in 1981 following the onset of anoxia to a volume weighted concentration of I1 mg L^?1. The ionic discharge from an adjoining alkali manufacturer exacerbated the problem of limited O₂ resources of the hypolimnion by: (1) decreasing vertical mixing, (2) prolonging the duration of stratification, (3) causing abbreviated turnovers, and (4) encouraging increased rates of phytoplankton settling.     

Nitrogen Removal, N2O Emission, and NH3 Volatilization Under Different Water Levels in a Vertical Flow Treatment System

Two series of laboratory-scale vertical flow systems (flooded and nonflooded columns) were designed to compare nitrogen removal performance, nitrous oxide emission, and ammonia volatilization under different water levels upon treating diluted digested livestock liquid. In these systems, influent was supplied at three hydraulic loading rates (HLRs of 1.25, 2.5, and 5 cm day^?1) during stage 1 and the rates were doubled during stage 2 when the water levels of nonflooded columns were elevated from zero to half the height of the soil column. After hydraulic loading rates doubled, the average removal rates of total nitrogen in flooded columns varied from 1.27 to 2.94 g^?2 day^?1 and those in nonflooded columns ranged from 1.23 to 3.88 g^?2 day^?1. The T-N removal at an HLR of 10 cm day^?1 in the nonflooded column with an elevated water table level had higher efficiency than that in the flooded column, suggesting T-N removal is enhanced in the nonflooded column probably due to the improved coupled nitrification–denitrification process under the elevated water table level condition. On the other hand, there was a significant correlation (r ² = 0.532, p < 0.001) between the N₂O flux and redox potential that mainly corresponded to water levels and HLRs, suggesting anoxic or aerobic conditions stimulate N₂O emission by enhancing the nitrification (nitrification–denitrification) process. In contrast, NH₃ volatilization had a high flux in the anaerobic condition mainly because of flooding. Based on the experimental results, it is hypothesized a nonflooded condition with higher water table level (Eh range of ?160 to +260 mV) would be suitable to reduce N₂O emission and NH₃ volatilization peak value by at least half while maintaining relatively efficient nitrogen removal performance.     

Trophic Modifications in Lake Como (N. Italy) caused by the Zebra Mussel (Dreissena Polymorpha)

A large scale study on the western basin of Lake Como (N. Italy) was started in 1995 to examine the effects of the zebra mussel colonization which began in early '90. Our results have been related to '91–92 data (pre-Dreissena period), before the maximum colonization of zebra mussel. In spring and summer of the post-Dreissena period total phosphorus, P-PO₄, nitrate and chlorophyll values decreased, while ammonium and tranparency increased at every sampling station. Zebra mussel does not modify the trophic state of this sub-basin but it plays an important role in nutrient cycling. The entire population can filter epilimnetic craters 2.1 times per year and can produce 2.9 × 10⁴ t y of pseudofaeces which are transferred to sediments.     

Survival ofEscherichia coli in great salt lake water

Survival ofEscherichia coli was studied in water from the Great Salt Lake, a highly saline lake with an ionic composition much like sea water. Samples used were from the most concentrated north arm (343.1 g l^?1 solids) and the less concentrated south arm (about 113 g l^?1 solids). At temperatures from 20°C to 9°C the bacterial death rate (k) for the north arm was ?0.17 log day^?1 and the south arm and 1:3 dilution ?0.28 log day^?1. Above 9°C the rate of death increased approximately exponentially and at 19°C the rate of death increased approximately exponentially and at 19°C the death rate was ?1.31 log day^?1 in the north arm and ?0.98 log day^?1 in the lower salinity water. These rates fall within those reported for sea water and are much higher than fresh water. Possible causes of death are discussed with the most likely being the high concentrations of minor elements or osmotic stress. The survival characteristics ofE. coli in waters with a sea water-like composition should require the same health concern as sea water regardless of the actual concentration of salt. High salt water of other ionic composition may behave differently, however.     

Measurement of in situ Phosphorus Availability in Acidified Soils using Iron-Infused Resin

A hybrid anion resin was tested for in situ phosphorus (P) availability measurement in soils of two stands recovering from acidification and having different P-sorption characteristics. The phosphate (P-PO₄) sorption capacity of the resin (before saturation) was 48 µmol g^?1. Sorption and elution were tested under P-PO₄ concentrations common in acidic soils (0–0.42 mmol l^?1) either with or without the presence of sulfate (0.2 mmol l^?1). The efficiency of P-PO₄ sorption was independent of the sulfate and was 100 ± 0.2% (n = 56, ± SD). The P-PO₄ recovery stabilized after six elution steps (each: 50 ml of 0.5 M sodium hydroxide, resin/solution 5:1). The efficiency of P-PO₄ recovery was 80 ± 7% and was used to evaluate field measurements. We determined the amount of P-PO₄ in the field using resin bags in three consecutive years. The results indicate that bioavailable P is negatively related to the soil ability to retain P.     

Inferring Reference Conditions of Hypolimnetic Oxygen for Deteriorated Lake Mallusj?rvi in the Cultural Landscape of Mallusjoki, Southern Finland Using Fossil Midge Assemblages

Lake Mallusjärvi in the cultural landscape of Mallusjoki, southern Finland, suffers from algal blooms during summers and oxygen depletions during winters due to increased nutrient input resulting from extensive agricultural activities in the catchment. In this study, a sediment profile from the lake was studied using fossil midge (Diptera: Nematocera) analysis and a hypolimnetic oxygen transfer function was applied to establish baseline conditions of hypolimnetic oxygen. In addition, physical properties of the sediment were determined. The inferred late winter hypolimnetic oxygen content was elevated in the beginning of the sediment sequence, but decreased dramatically at ca. 200 cal BP, as the inferred values indicated frequently anoxic condition coinciding with increased agricultural use in the catchment. The results indicated that dramatic changes have occurred in the taxon composition. The high-oxygen Stempellina?CAblabesmyia monilis-type community first changed to moderate-oxygen Procladius?CStempellinella community, and finally to low-oxygen Microchironomus tener?CChironomus plumosus-type community, following the eutrophication process. These changes in macrobenthic faunal assemblages reproduced considerably higher inferred hypolimnetic oxygen reference condition values for hypolimnetic oxygen, compared to the present status.     

Air quality impact of the nanticoke industrial development

This paper discusses the results of the air quality monitoring activities, especially for three of the Ontario Ministry of the Environment's criteria pollutants (SO₂, O₃, and total suspended particulates). In the early 1960's Nanticoke Hamlet, located on the northern shore of Lake Erie, was selected for a large industrial development program. The first phase saw the commissioning of a 4000 MW Ontario Hydrothermal generating station, a 100 000 bbl day^?1 Texaco refinery and a Stelco steel plant with an initial annual capacity of 1.7 × 10⁶ tonnes. Favorable climatological data was one of the criteria used for selecting this site. Extensive monitoring of ambient air and water quality was carried out prior to the construction phase of the program. Post operation monitoring has also been done on a continuous basis. The data collected to date indicate that the impact of the industrial activity on air quality in the Haldimand-Norfolk region has been very small, with less than 20 exceedances per year of the hourly air quality criterion for SO₂ (250 ppb) being observed across the network, and total suspended particulates being similar to other rural locations in Ontario. Only 03 has a substantial number of exceedances of the criterion (80 ppb hourly average) during the summer months, primarily due to long-range transport into the area from across Lake Erie.     

A field study of gross rates of N mineralization and nitrification and their relationships to microbial biomass and enzyme activities in soils treated with dairy effluent and ammonium fertilizer

Abstract. Gross N mineralization and nitrification rates were measured in soils treated with dairy shed effluent (DSE) (i.e. effluent from the dairy milking shed, comprising dung, urine and water) or ammonium fertilizer (NH₄Cl) under field conditions, by injecting ¹⁵N-solution into intact soil cores. The relationships between gross mineralization rate, microbial biomass C and N and extracellular enzyme activities (protease, deaminase and urease) as affected by the application of DSE and NH₄Cl were also determined. During the first 16 days, gross mineralization rate in the DSE treated soil (4.3–6.1 μg N g^?1 soil day^?1) were significantly (P 14;< 14;0.05) higher than those in the NH₄Cl treated soil (2.6–3.4 μg N g^?1 soil day^?1). The higher mineralization rate was probably due to the presence of readily mineralizable organic substrates in the DSE, accompanied by stimulated microbial and extracellular enzyme activities. The stable organic N compounds in the DSE were slow to mineralize and contributed little to the mineral N pool during the period of the experiment. Nitrification rates during the first 16 days were higher in the NH₄Cl treated soil (1.7–1.2 μg N g^?1 soil day^?1) compared to the DSE treated soil (0.97–1.5 μg N g^?1 soil day^?1). Soil microbial biomass C and N and extracellular enzyme activities (protease, deaminase and urease) increased after the application of the DSE due to the organic substrates and nutrients applied, but declined with time, probably because of the exhaustion of the readily available substrates. The NH₄Cl application did not result in any significant increases in microbial biomass C, protease or urease activities due to the lack of carbonaceous materials in the ammonium fertilizer. However, it did increase microbial biomass N and deaminase activity. Significant positive correlations were found between gross N mineralization rate and soil microbial biomass, protease, deaminase and urease activities. Nitrification rate was significantly correlated to biomass N but not to the microbial biomass C or the enzyme activities. Stepwise regression analysis showed that the variations of gross N mineralization rate was best described by the microbial biomass C and N.     

Gross nitrogen mineralization and nitrification rates and their relationships to enzyme activities and the soil microbial biomass in soils treated with dairy shed effluent and ammonium fertilizer at different water potentials

 Gross N mineralization and nitrification rates and their relationships to microbial biomass C and N and enzyme (protease, deaminase and urease) activities were determined in soils treated with dairy shed effluent (DSE) or NH₄ ⁺ fertilizer (NH₄Cl) at a rate equivalent to 200 kg N ha^–1 at three water potentials (0, –10 and –80 kPa) at 20  °C using a closed incubation technique. After 8, 16, 30, 45, 60 and 90 days of incubation, sub-samples of soil were removed to determine gross N mineralization and nitrification rates, enzyme activities, microbial biomass C and N, and NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^– concentrations. The addition of DSE to the soil resulted in significantly higher gross N mineralization rates (7.0–1.7 μg N g^–1 soil day^–1) than in the control (3.8–1.2 μg N g^–1 soil day^–1), particularly during the first 16 days of incubation. This increase in gross mineralization rate occurred because of the presence of readily mineralizable organic substrates with low C : N ratios, and stimulated soil microbial and enzymatic activities by the organic C and nutrients in the DSE. The addition of NH₄Cl did not increase the gross N mineralization rate, probably because of the lack of readily available organic C and/or a possible adverse effect of the high NH₄ ⁺ concentration on microbial activity. However, nitrification rates were highest in the NH₄Cl-treated soil, followed by DSE-treated soil and then the control. Soil microbial biomass, protease, deaminase and urease activities were significantly increased immediately after the addition of DSE and then declined gradually with time. The increased soil microbial biomass was probably due to the increased available C substrate and nutrients stimulating soil microbial growth, and this in turn resulted in higher enzyme activities. NH₄Cl had a minimal impact on the soil microbial biomass and enzyme activities, possibly because of the lack of readily available C substrates. The optimum soil water potential for gross N mineralization and nitrification rates, microbial and enzyme activities was –10 kPa compared with –80 kPa and 0 kPa. Gross N mineralization rates were positively correlated with soil microbial biomass N and protease and urease activities in the DSE-treated soil, but no such correlations were found in the NH₄Cl-treated soil. The enzyme activities were also positively correlated with each other and with soil microbial biomass C and N. The forms of N and the different water potentials had a significant effect on the correlation coefficients. Stepwise regression analysis showed that protease was the variable that most frequently accounted for the variations of gross N mineralization rate when included in the equation, and has the potential to be used as one of the predictors for N mineralization. Received: 10 March 1998     

Effects of earthworms on nitrogen mineralization

The influence of earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris and Aporrectodea tuberculata) on the rate of net N mineralization was studied, both in soil columns with intact soil structure (partly influenced by past earthworm activity) and in columns with sieved soil. Soil columns were collected from a well drained silt loam soil, and before the experiment all earthworms present were removed. Next, either new earthworms (at the rate of five earthworms per 1200 cm³, which was only slightly higher than field numbers and biomass) were added or they were left out. At five points in time, the columns were analyzed for NH ₄ ⁺ , NO ₃ ^– , and microbial biomass in separate samples from the upper and lower layers of the columns. N mineralization was estimated from these measurements. The total C and N content and the microbial biomass in the upper 5 cm of the intact soil columns was higher than in the lower layer. In the homogenized columns, the C and N content and the microbial biomass were equally divided over both layers. In all columns, the concentration of NH ₄ ⁺ was small at the start of the experiment and decreased over time. No earthworm effects on extractable NH ₄ ⁺ were observed. However, when earthworms were present, the concentration of NO ₃ ^– increased in both intact and homogenized cores. The microbial biomass content did not change significantly with time in any of the treatments. In both intact and homogenized soil, N mineralization increased when earthworms were present. Without earthworms, both type of cores mineralized comparable amounts of N, which indicates that mainly direct and indirect biological effects are responsible for the increase in mineralization in the presence of earthworms. The results of this study indicate that earthworm activity can result in considerable amounts of N being mineralized, up to 90 kg N ha^–1 year^–1, at the density used in this experiment.     

Effects of drying and rewetting on soluble phosphorus and nitrogen in forest floors: An experiment with undisturbed columns

Drying and rewetting (D/W) of soils often resulted in the release of soluble phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N), thereby changing the availability of both nutrients. Most experiments on D/W have been conducted with disturbed mineral soil samples and with rewetting of the soil samples by abrupt change in the water potential. Here, we studied the effect of D/W on the leaching of P and N from undisturbed forest floors of a European beech and a Norway spruce site under near field conditions of desiccation and rewetting. We hypothesized that even under realistic rewetting of undisturbed forest floors, the leaching of P and N is increased after D/W and that the effects are less pronounced for spruce than for beech because of the larger hydrophobicity of the spruce forest floor. Undisturbed forest floor columns were subjected to desiccation at 20°C until a matrix potential of –100 MPa (pF 6.0) was reached, while controls were kept at moist conditions. Columns were irrigated by 22 mm day^?1 from day 1–3 and by 10 mm day^?1 from day 4–14 given in automated short pulses. Leachates from the soil columns were analyzed for orthophosphate, total P, NH₄, NO₃, and total N. In the spruce forest floor the concentrations of total P in leachates and the leachate fluxes were strongly increased after D/W. The increase of solute P was less for beech than for spruce coinciding with less actual rewetting of the beech forest floor. Leaching of total N from the spruce forest floor was not affected by D/W, however, concentrations and leaching of NH₄ increased, while leaching of NO₃ decreased. For beech the leaching of total N and NH₄ increased after D/W, while NO₃ leaching decreased. The results indicate that also under realistic conditions, D/W of forest floors increases solute P and leads to changes in the ratio of NH₄/NO₃ in solution, thereby altering the availability of the nutrients.     

Microbial activities in a histosol: Effects of wood ash and NPK fertilizers

Mineralization of organic matter and microbial activities in an intensively cultivated acid, N-rich peat soil planted with Salix sp. cv. aquatica were examined for 3 yr. The soil was amended with wood ash or NPK fertilizers providing N as ammonium nitrate or urea. The wood ash amendment (10 tons ha^?1) increased soil pH from 4.6 to 5.5 and increased markedly all microbial activities measured, resulting in increased mineralization and N availability, and in loss of 9% total soil N during the first year. The addition of ammonium nitrate caused a corresponding though less pronounced increase in N mineralization. Cellulose decomposition increased in all amended soils, reaching rates 53–86% higher than in non-amended soil. Potential N₂ fixation (C₂H₂ reduction) by free-living organisms was increased by the ash-amendment. Potential denitrification rates were positively correlated (r = 0.98) with the presence of water-soluble organic-C, which was more abundant in ash-amended and non-amended soils than in the soils fertilized with N.     

Dissolved and particulate trace metals in a wetland of international importance: Lake Mikri Prespa,Greece

This paper reports the dissolved and particulate trace metal distributions in Lake Mikri Prespa, wetland of NW Greece. The concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Al, Fe, Mn, Ni and Cr were determined in surface and hypolimnetic waters as well as in the inputs and the outflow. Trace metals were connected with two major populations of suspended particles, identified by using the recovery ratio for two different leaching reagents, namely 0.5 N HCl and 1:1 hot aqueous HNO₃. The first group is land derived entering the lake through runoff and plays a rather restricted role in its geochemistry. The second group which is more important includes authigenic carbonates, Fe and Mn hydroxides and oxides and organic rich particulates.     

Profundal macrobenthos structure as a measure of long-term environmental stress in a polluted lake

Profundal macrobenthic community in a polluted lake (Lake Nemi, Italy) was analyzed in three distinct surveys from 1976 to 1984, in order to define long-term changes in environmental conditions of sediments. Profundal macrobenthos was mainly composed of Oligochaeta. Only a few Chironomidae and a few other taxa were characteristically found in the superior zone. The long-term stress, due to persistent hypolimnetic O₂ deficit, caused progressive simplification of the total community structure. This leads to a high faunal similarity among stations at different depths. The temporal trend of the community structure parameters and the significant role of some taxa (Potamothrix heuscheri, Procladius and Chaoborus flavicans) in the eutrophication process of the lake are also discussed.     

Anthracene influence on (15NH4)2SO4 fertilization of wheat seedlings

The influence of the addition of anthracene (1 μg anthracene g^?1 soil) in N transformations following (¹⁵NH₄)₂SO₄ fertilization (200 mg N g^?1 soil) was investigated in wheat pots by quadrapole mass-spectrometry. The dry matter yield at harvesting (after 16 days) was not statistically affected (P=0.05) by anthracene addition. The total amount of N from the fertilizer taken up by wheat seedings in 16 days was 29 and 26.8% of the added N in the absence and in the presence of anthracene, respectively, but the difference was not significantly different at level P=0.05. In order to investigate more deeply the effect of anthracene on the N cycle in the soil-plant system, the first-order rate constants of N mineralization, N immobilization, nitrification and N plant uptake have been determined according to a ¹⁵N + ¹⁴N soil-plant model. The comparison of the constants showed that organic N mineralization, nitrification and plant uptake proceeded at the same rate, while a small different rate (P=0.05) was shown by N immobilization. In fact, the N immobilization constant increased from 0.14±0.012 to 0.21±0.014 day^?1 as a consequence of anthracene addition.     

Natural disaster in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro state,Brazil: Assessment of the daily rainfall erosivity as an early warning index

Rainfall erosivity is defined as the potential of rain to cause erosion. It has great potential for application in studies related to natural disasters, in addition to water erosion. The objectives of this study were: i) to model the R_day using a seasonal model for the Mountainous Region of the State of Rio de Janeiro (MRRJ); ii) to adjust thresholds of the R_day index based on catastrophic events which occurred in the last two decades; and iii) to map the maximum daily rainfall erosivity (R_maxday) to assess the region's susceptibility to rainfall hazards according to the established R_day limits. The fitted R_day model presented a satisfactory result, thereby enabling its application as a R_day estimate in MRRJ. Events that resulted in R_day > 1500 MJ ha^?1.mm.h^?1. day^?1 were those with the highest number of fatalities. The spatial distribution of R_maxday showed that the entire MRRJ has presented values that can cause major rainfall. The R_day index proved to be a promising indicator of rainfall disasters, which is more effective than those normally used that are only based on quantity (mm) and/or intensity (mm.h^?1) of the rain.     

Energetic eco‐physiology of the soil microbiota in two landscapes of southern and northern Germany

Interactions between microbial communities and organic matter were analyzed for soils from the project regions ’︁Ecosystem Research in the Agricultural Landscape/FAM, Munich’ in southern Germany and ’︁Ecosystem Research in the Bornhöved Lake district’ from northern Germany using ratios between microbial biomass content (C_mic), microbial metabolic quotient (qCO₂) and organic carbon content (C_org). In the agricultural soils in southern Germany, the qCO₂/C_org ratio differed significantly with respect to agricultural management in contrast to ecophysiological C_mic/C_org ratio. In addition, C_mic/C_org ratio decreased from 39 to 21 mg C_mic g^—1 C_org and qCO₂/C_org ratio increased from 72 to 180 mg CO₂‐C g^—1 C_mic h^—1 (g C_org g^—1 soil)^—1 with increasing soil depth. For the upper soil horizons from the landscape in northern Germany the two quotients differed significantly with reference to land use showing highest microbial colonization under grassland and lowest under beech forest. In contrast, C use efficiency was lowest in arable field under maize monoculture and highest in a wet grassland having a high organic C content.     

Mercury cycling in a northern wisconsin seepage lake: The role of particulate matter in vertical transport

During summer stratification, total mercury (Hg_τ) reached maximum concentrations in the O₂ :depleted, hypolimnion of Little Rock Lake, Wl. Initially, the hypolimnetic increase was attributed solely to redox-controlled release of Hg from bottom sediments. However, subsequent depth profiles of Hg indicated that hypolimnetic Hg enrichment could also result from the downward transport and recycling of particulate Hg prior to incorporation in the sediments. Contrasts between Fe and Hg cycles in this lake reinforce this notion. Increases in hypolimnetic Fe were observed during both summer and winter O₂ decreases. In contrast, hypolimnetic Hg concentrations declined during winter. In the ice-free season, the distribution of particulate mercury (Hg_p) correlated with the distribution of chlorophyllous particulates in this lake, re-emphasizing the importance of biotic processes in controlling Hg cycling in the hypolimnion.     

Peat Biofilters in Long-Term Experiments for Removing Odorous Sulphur Compounds

Peat was employed as a biological filter material for the removal of hydrogen sulphide (H_2> S) dimethyl sulphide (Me₂S) and methyl mercaptan (MeSH) from odorous ventilation air. Removal of H₂S was possible without the need to inoculate the filter material with oxidizing microbes whereas Me₂S required inoculation for degradation. The removal of Me₂S was decreased as a result of MeSH addition. Liming of the filter material, i.e., addition of calcium hydroxide, increased removal efficiency and activated the oxidation of H₂S without any adaptation period. As a consequence of the poor Me₂S removal efficiency of natural peat, a limed and inoculated biofilter was needed to purify mixtures of gases containing sulphur. The highest H₂S load tested with limed but otherwise natural peat was 136 g-S m^-3 day^-1, yielding a 99 % reduction. The maximum Me₂S elimination capacity with limed and inoculated peat was 175 g-S m^-3day^-1, but removal became unstable when the load exceeded 150 g-S m^-3day^-1. The maximum MeSH load tested was 107 g-S m^-3day^-1, yielding 98 % removal.     

Mulching Affects Soil Properties and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Under Long‐Term No‐Till and Plough‐Till Systems in Alfisol of Central Ohio

Agricultural activities emit greenhouse gases (GHGs) and contribute to global warming. Intensive plough tillage (PT), use of agricultural chemicals and the burning of crop residues are major farm activities emitting GHGs. Intensive PT also degrades soil properties by reducing soil organic carbon (SOC) pool. In this scenario, adoption of no‐till (NT) systems offers a pragmatic option to improve soil properties and reduce GHG emission. We evaluated the impacts of tillage systems (NT and PT) and wheat residue mulch on soil properties and GHG emission. This experiment was started in 1989 on a Crosby silt loam soil at Waterman Farm, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA. Mulching reduced soil bulk density and improved total soil porosity. More total carbon (16.16 g kg⁻¹), SOC (8.36 mg L⁻¹) and soil microbial biomass carbon (152 µg g⁻¹) were recorded in soil under NT than PT. Mulch application also decreased soil temperature (0–5 cm) and penetration resistance (0–60 cm). Adoption of long‐term NT reduced the GHG emission. Average fluxes of GHGs under NT were 1.84 g CO₂‐C m⁻² day⁻¹ for carbon dioxide, 0.07 mg CH₄‐C m⁻² day⁻¹ for methane and 0.73 mg N₂O‐N m⁻² day⁻¹ for nitrous oxide compared with 2.05 g CO₂‐C m⁻² day⁻¹, 0.74 mg CH₄‐C m⁻² day⁻¹ and 1.41 mg N₂O‐N m⁻² day⁻¹, respectively, for PT. Emission of nitrous oxide was substantially increased by mulch application. In conclusion, long‐term NT reduced the GHG emission by improving the soil properties. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.