Soil aggregate size influences the impact of inorganic nitrogen deposition on soil nitrification in an alpine meadow of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) and nitrate (NO₃ ^-) are two inorganic forms of nitrogen (N) that are deposited from the atmosphere into soil systems. As the substrate and product of soil nitrification, these two forms of inorganic nitrogen will affect or be affected by the soil net nitrification rate (N_r). Our knowledge regarding soil nitrification is mainly derived from studies with bulk soil. However, soil is composed of different aggregate fractions, which may have an important impact on N_r.

Methods

In 2017, we collected soil samples from an alpine meadow of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and separated them into four soil aggregates (2-4, 1-2, 0.25-1, and <0.25 mm) using the dry sieving method. The four soil aggrega

SUBMITTER: Li J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6953337 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature