Gut-associated denitrification and in vivo emission of nitrous oxide by the earthworm families megascolecidae and lumbricidae in new zealand.

ABSTRACT: Previous studies have documented the capacity of European earthworms belonging to the family Lumbricidae to emit the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N(2)O), an activity attributed primarily to the activation of ingested soil denitrifiers. To extend the information base to earthworms in the Southern Hemisphere, four species of earthworms in New Zealand were examined for gut-associated denitrification. Lumbricus rubellus and Aporrectodea rosea (introduced species of Lumbricidae) emitted N(2)O, whereas emission of N(2)O by Octolasion cyaneum (an introduced species of Lumbricidae) and emission of N(2)O by Octochaetus multiporus (a native species of Megascolecidae) were variable and negligible, respectively. Exposing earthworms to nitrite or nitrate and acetylene significantly increased the amoun

SUBMITTER: Wust PK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2687281 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature