Distinguishing between nitrification and denitrification as sources of gaseous nitrogen production in soil. Davidson, E. Applied and Environmental Microbology, 1986.
Distinguishing between nitrification and denitrification as sources of gaseous nitrogen production in soil. [pdf]Paper  abstract   bibtex   
Denitrification and nitrification can occur simultaneously in the same soil aggregate. A technique which exploits the differential sensitivity of these processes to C2H2 inhibition is proposed for distinguishing among gaseous N losses from soils. Denitrification N2O was estimated from laboratory incubations where nitrification was inhibited by 10-Pa C2H2. Nitrification N2O was estimated from the difference between NS production under no C2H2 and that determined for denitrification. Denitrification N2 was estimated from the difference between N2O production under 10-kPa C2H2 and that under 10 Pa. Laboratory estimates were significantly correlated with in situ N2O measurements made during a 10-month period in two forested watersheds. Nitrous oxide production by nitrification was most important on well-drained sites of a disturbed watershed where ambient NO3 was high. In contrast, denitrification N2O was most important on poorly drained sites near the stream.

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