Nitrogen isotope ratios of Cretaceous Atlantic sedimentary sequences

At two locations in the Atlantic Ocean (DSDP Sites 367 and 530) early to middle Cretaceous organic-carbon-rich beds (black shales) were found to have significantly lower delta15N values (lower 15N/14N ratios) than adjacent organic-carbon-poor beds (white limestones or green claystones). While these lithologies are of marine origin, the black strata in particular have delta15N values that are significantly lower than those previously found in the marine sediment record and most contemporary marine nitrogen pools. In contrast, black, organic-carbon-rich beds at a third site (DSDP Site 603) contain predominantly terrestrial organic matter and have C- and N-isotopic compositions similar to organic matter of modern terrestrial origin. The recurring 15N depletion in the marine-derived Cretaceous sequences prove that the nitrogen they contain is the end result of an episodic and atypical biogeochemistry. Existing isotopic and other data indicate that the low 15N relative abundance is the consequence of pelagic rather than post-depositional processes. Reduced ocean circulation, increased denitrification, and, hence, reduced euphoric zone nitrate availability may have led to Cretaceous phytoplankton assemblages that were periodically dominated by N2-fixing blue-green algae, a possible source of this sediment 15N-depletion. Lack of parallel isotopic shifts in Cretaceous terrestrially-derived nitrogen (Site 603) argues that the above change in nitrogen cycling during this period did not extend beyond the marine environment.

Ecosystem responses to hydrologic change and mechanisms of nitrogen sequestration in seasonally flooded tree islands of the southern Everglades

In the Florida Everglades, tree islands are conspicuous heterogeneous elements in a complex wetland landscape. I investigated the effects of increased freshwater flow in southern Everglades seasonally flooded tree islands, and characterized biogeochemical interactions among tree islands and the marsh landscape matrix, specifically examining hydrologic flows of nitrogen (N), and landscape N sequestration capacity. I utilized ecological trajectories of key ecosystem variables to differentiate effects of increased sheetflow and hydroperiod. I utilized stable isotope analyses and nutrient content of tree island ecosystem components to test the hypothesis that key processes in tree island nitrogen cycling would favor ecosystem N sequestration. I combined estimates of tree island ecosystem N standing stocks and fluxes, soil and litter N transformation rates, and hydrologic inputs of N to quantify the net sequestration of N by a seasonally flooded tree island. ^ Results show that increased freshwater flow to seasonally flooded tree islands promoted ecosystem oligotrophy, whereas reduced flows allowed some plant species to cycle P less efficiently. As oligotrophy is a defining parameter of Everglades wetlands, and likely promotes belowground production and peat development, reintroducing freshwater flow from an upstream canal had a favorable effect on ecosystem dynamics of tree islands in the study area. Important factors influencing the stable isotopic composition of nitrogen and carbon were: (1) a contribution to soil N by soil invertebrates, animal excrement, and microbes, (2) a possible NO3 source from an upstream canal and an "open" ecosystem N cycle, and (3) greater availability of phosphorus in tree islands relative to the marsh landscape, suggesting that tree island N cycling favors N sequestration. Hydrologic sources of N were dominated by surface water loads of NO3- and NH 4+, and an important soil N transformation promoting the net loss of surface water DIN was nitrate immobilization associated with soils and surficial leaf litter. The net inorganic N sequestration capacity of a seasonally flooded tree island was 50 g yr-1 m -2. Thus, tree islands likely have an important function in landscape sequestration of inorganic N, and may reduce significant anthropogenic N loads to downstream coastal systems. ^

Biogeochemistry of Nitrogen Across the Everglades Landscape

Compared to phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N) has received little attention across the Everglades landscape. Despite this lack of attention, N plays important roles in many Everglades systems, including being a significant pollutant in Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, the limiting nutrient in highly P-impacted areas, and an important substrate for microbial metabolism. Storage and transport of N throughout the Everglades is dominated by organic forms, including peat soils and dissolved organic N in the water column. In general, N sources are highest in the northern areas; however, atmospheric deposition and active N2 fixation by the periphyton components are a significant N source throughout most systems. Many of the processes involved in the wetland N cycle remain unmeasured for most of the Everglades systems. In particular, the lack of in situ rates for N2 fixation and denitrification prevent the construction of system-level budgets, especially for the Southern mangrove systems where N export into Florida Bay is critical. There is also the potential for several novel N processes (e.g., Anammox) with an as yet undetermined importance for nitrogen cycling and function of the Everglades ecosystem. Phosphorus loading alters the N cycle by stimulating organic N mineralization with resulting flux of ammonium and DON, and at elevated P concentrations, by increasing rates of N2 fixation and N assimilation. Restoration of hydrology has a potential for significantly impacting N cycling in the Everglades both in terms of affecting N transport, but also by altering aerobic-anaerobic transitions at the soil-water interface or in areas with seasonal drawdowns (e.g., marl prairies). Based on the authors’ understanding of N processes, much more research is necessary to adequately predict potential impacts from hydrologic restoration, as well as the function of Everglades systems as sinks, sources, and transformers of N in the South Florida landscape.

Effects of wetting frequency and afforestation on carbon, nitrogen and the microbial community in soil

Afforestation of agricultural land is increasing, partly because it is an important biological method for reducing the concentration of atmospheric CO2 and potentially mitigating climate change. Rainfall patterns are changing and prolonged dry periods are predicted for many regions of the world, including southern Australia. To accurately predict land-use change potential for mitigating climate change, we need to have a better understanding of how changes in land-use (i.e. afforestation of pastures) may change the soils response to prolonged dry periods. We present results of an incubation study characterising C and N dynamics and the microbial community composition in soil collected from two tree plantings and their adjacent pastures under a baseline and reduced frequency. While the concentration of soil C was similar in pasture and tree planting soils, heterotrophic respiration was significantly lower in soil from pastures than tree plantings. Although there was little difference in the composition of the soil microbial community among any of the soils or treatments, differences in N cycling could indicate a difference in microbial activity, which may explain the differences in heterotrophic respiration between pastures and tree plantings. Soils from pastures and tree plantings responded similarly to a reduction in wetting frequency, with a decrease in microbial biomass (measured as total PLFA), and a similar reduction in heterotrophic respiration from the soil. This suggests that the responses to changes in future wetting cycles may be less dependent on land-use type than expected.

Seasonal variation in nitrification and nitrate-reduction pathways in coastal sediments in the Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea

The Baltic Sea is one of the most eutrophic marine areas in the world. The role of nitrogen as a eutrophicating nutrient in the Baltic Sea has remained controversial, due to lack of understanding of nitrogen cycling in the area. We investigated the seasonal variation in sediment nitrification, denitrification, anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox), and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) at two coastal sites in the Gulf of Finland. In addition to the in situ rates, we assessed the potential for these processes in different seasons. The nitrification and nitrogen removal processes were maximal during the warm summer months, when the sediment organic content was highest. In colder seasons, the in situ rates of the nitrification and nitrate reduction processes decreased, but the potential for nitrification remained equal to or higher than that during the warm months. The denitrification and nitrification rates were usually higher in the accumulation basin, where the organic content of the sediment was higher, but the transportation area, despite lower denitrification rates and potential, typically had higher potential for nitrification than the accumulation basin. Anammox and DNRA were not significant nitrate sinks in any of the seasons sampled. The results also show that the denitrification rates in the coastal Gulf of Finland sediment have decreased, and that benthic denitrification might be a less important sink for fixed nitrogen than previously assumed.

Seasonal and short-term variation in denitrification and anammox at a coastal station on the Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea

Benthic processes were measured at a coastal deposition area in the northern Baltic Sea, covering all seasons. The N-2 production rates, 90-400 mu mol N m(-2) d(-1), were highest in autumn-early winter and lowest in spring. Heterotrophic bacterial production peaked unexpectedly late in the year, indicating that in addition to the temperature, the availability of carbon compounds suitable for the heterotrophic bacteria also plays a major role in regulating the denitrification rate. Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) was measured in spring and autumn and contributed 10% and 15%, respectively, to the total N-2 production. The low percentage did, however, result in a significant error in the total N-2 production rate estimate, calculated using the isotope pairing technique. Anammox must be taken into account in the Gulf of Finland in future sediment nitrogen cycling research.

Aplicação da técnica simulated annealing na investigação da ciclagem de nitrogênio na inteface água-sedimento

Neste trabalho é apresentado a aplicação de um método de otimização a fim de estimar parâmetros que normalmente estão presentes na modelagem matemática da dinâmica de espécies químicas na interface água-sedimento. O Problema Direto aqui consistiu na simulação das concentrações das espécies orgânicas e inorgânicas (amônia e nitrato) de nitrogênio, num ambiente idealizado, o qual foi fracionado em quatro camadas: uma camada de água (1 metro) e três camadas de sedimento (0-1 cm, 1-2 cm e 2-10 cm). O Problema Direto foi resolvido pelo Método de Runge Kutta, tendo sido gerada uma simulação de 50 dias. Na estimativa dos coeficientes de difusão e porosidade foi aplicado o Método Simulated Annealing (SA). A eficiência da estratégia aqui adotada foi avaliada através do confronto entre dados experimentais sintéticos e as concentrações calçadas pela solução do Problema Direto, adotando-se os parâmetros estimados pela SA. O melhor ajuste entre dados experimentais e valores calculados se deu quando o parâmetro estimado foi a porosidade. Com relação à minimização da função objetivo, a estimativa desse parâmetro também foi a que exigiu menor esforço computacional. Após a introdução de um ruído randômico às concentrações das espécies nitrogenadas, a técnica SA não foi capaz de obter uma estimativa satisfatória para o coeficiente de difusão, com exceção da camada 0-1 cm sedimentar. Para outras camadas, erros da ordem de 10 % foram encontrados (para amônia na coluna dágua, pro exemplo). Os resultados mostraram que a metodologia aqui adotada pode ser bastante promissora enquanto ferramenta de gestão de corpos dágua, especialmente daqueles submetidos a um regime de baixa energia, como lagos e lagoas costeiras.

改变土壤碳输入对我国北方温带草原土壤碳、氮库和碳、氮循环的影响

土壤是陆地生态系统最重要的碳库和氮库，在陆地生态系统碳氮循环过程中起着举足轻重的作用。植物光合作用产物向地下的分配(根系分泌、细胞凋亡和根系分解)和地上凋落物分解是土壤碳两个最主要的来源，关于这两种碳输入途径和量如何影响陆地生态系统土壤碳氮库和循环的有限理解，限制了我们预测陆地生态系统碳循环对于全球气候变化的响应和反馈。本实验以我国北方广泛分布的温带典型草原生态系统为研究对象，通过添加和去除地面凋落物以及割草改变植物对土壤的碳输入途径和量，观察温带草原土壤有机碳库和氮库各个组分(微生物生物量碳氮、活性碳、可溶性碳、轻重组碳、总有机碳、总有机氮)及碳氮循环(微生物呼吸、土壤呼吸、生态系统气体交换、净氮矿化)的变化，来区分和量化凋落物分解和根系分泌、分解这两种碳输入方式对草原土壤碳库和循环的相对贡献和影响，有助于揭示在全球变化背景下温带典型草原生态系统碳库和碳循环的响应机制，并为预测其未来变化动态以及对全球气候变化的反馈提供参数估计和模型校正和验证。 我们对各处理样方土壤温度、土壤水分以及土壤呼吸进行了一个生长季的测定，结果表明，添加和去除凋落物都使得土壤呼吸与对照相比都有所增加，但是都没有达到显著水平;而无论地上凋落物的量添加、去除还是不变，植物光合作用对土壤呼吸的影响则比较显著，去除植物显著地降低了土壤呼吸。这说明处理一年后，植物对土壤呼吸起主导作用，而凋落物处理对土壤呼吸的影响还需要更长时间的观察。此外，生物量的结果也表明了地上凋落物的改变会影响到植物生长，从而影响到植物对土壤的碳输入，但是都没有达到显著水平，仍然需要我们进行更长时间的处理和观察。 通过在生长季前期、中期、后期进行了三次氮矿化的测定，以及在生长季后期进行了一次微生物生物量测定，我们得出以下结论：添加凋落物加快了净氮矿化速率，但是没有达到显著影响水平;同样，去除凋落物降低了净氮矿化速率，也没有达到显著水平。此外，添加凋落物处理微生物生物量碳、氮都有所增加，与对照相比没有显著差异，但是显著高于另外几个处理。 通过本研究，我们对于根系分泌和地上凋落物分解这两种碳氮输入途径对我国温带草原碳氮循环的影响有了初步的了解。与森林生态系统相比，由于草原生态系统土壤碳氮含量低，土壤碳库和转化对碳输入途径和量的变化更为敏感，在处理第一年，土壤微生物量和土壤呼吸都发生了显著的变化。然而，由于改变土壤碳库是长时间日积月累的结果，草原生态系统某些指标对碳输入途径和量的变化的响应还需要较长时间才能显示出来，例如添加和去除凋落物虽然使得土壤呼吸值有所增加，但是还都没有达到显著的水平;另外碳输入途径和量的变化对草原生态系统氮矿化还没有产生显著的影响。这些都需要更长时间的处理和观测来验证。

黄土高原旱塬农田生态系统碳氮循环特征

以黄土高原南部长武试区的典型旱塬农田生态系统为研究对象,运用DNDC模型分析其麦田在4种处理下连续6年的碳(C)、氮(N)循环特征,经与已知试验结果和实测数据比较,验证了该模型的适用性,并提出了该区农业发展的主要措施。

Diversity and spatial distribution of sediment ammonia-oxidizing crenarchaeota in response to estuarine and environmental gradients in the Changjiang Estuary and East China Sea

Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) have recently been found to be potentially important in nitrogen cycling in a variety of environments, such as terrestrial soils, wastewater treatment reactors, marine waters and sediments, and especially in estuaries, where high input of anthropogenic nitrogen is often experienced. The sedimentary AOA diversity, community structure and spatial distribution in the Changjiang Estuary and the adjacent East China Sea were studied. Multivariate statistical analysis indicated that the archaeal amoA genotype communities could be clustered according to sampling transects, and the station located in an estuarine mixing zone harboured a distinct AOA community. The distribution of AOA communities correlated significantly with the gradients of surface-water salinity and sediment sorting coefficient. The spatial distribution of putative soil-related AOA in certain sampling stations indicated a strong impact of the Changjiang freshwater discharge on the marine benthic microbial ecosystem. Besides freshwater, nutrients, organic matter and suspended particles, the Changjiang Diluted Water might also contribute to the transport of terrestrial archaea into the seawater and sediments along its flow path.

Picoeukaryote distribution in relation to nitrate uptake in the oceanic nitracline

We investigated the relationship between picoeukaryote phytoplankton (< 2 mu m) and the deep layer of new production (NO3- uptake) in the nitracline of the eastern subtropical North Atlantic Ocean. Indices of NO3- uptake kinetics obtained within the lower 15 % of the euphotic zone demonstrate that subsurface NO3- uptake maxima are coincident with localised peaks in maximum uptake rates (V-max) and, crucially, with maximum picoeukaryote abundance. The mean rate of NO3- utilization at the nitracline is typically 10-fold higher than in surface waters despite much lower in situ irradiance. These observations confirm a high affinity for NO3-, most likely by the resident picoeukaryote community, and we conservatively estimate mean cellular uptake rates of between 0.27 and 1.96 fmol NO3- cell(-1) h(-1). Greater scrutiny of the taxonomic composition of the picoeukaryote group is required to further understand this deep layer of new production and its importance for nitrogen cycling and export production, given longstanding assumptions that picoplankton do not contribute directly to export fluxes.

Caractérisation du cycle et des sources d'azote dans les lacs tempérés par l'utilisation d'isotopes stables

Nous avons étudié l’application de plusieurs mesures d’isotopes stables afin de caractériser les processus du cycle de l’azote et les sources d’azote dans les lacs tempérés à diverses échelles spatiales et temporelles. Les résultats d’une étude à travers 65 lacs sur un gradient trophique ont démontré que le ratio d’isotopes stables d’azote (δ15N) des sédiments de surface est un indicateur de l’importance relative des sources d’azote anthropique, mais que ce ratio peut être altéré par la diagenèse. La mesure du δ15N des sédiments demeure néanmoins un outil permettant de déterminer à long terme le changement des charges en azote anthropique aux écosystèmes lacustres et les causes de l’eutrophisation de ces systèmes. Nos résultats d’une étude sur la variation saisonnière de plusieurs isotopes stables dans trois lacs peu profonds situés sur un gradient trophique et ayant différents régimes de stratification ont démontré que cette approche est prometteuse dans les lacs mésotrophes et stratifiés. Dans ces systèmes, le δ15N de la matière organique particulaire (MOP) aurait le potentiel de déterminer les sources d’azote assimilées par le phytoplancton. Cependant les mesures d’isotopes stables du carbone (δ13C) et du ratio C:N indiquent que les apports de matières organiques du bassin versant peuvent altérer les relations observées. Nous avons également constaté une déviation de la relation 1:1 entre les isotopes stables d’azote et d’oxygène (δ18O) du nitrate (NO3-) indiquant son assimilation et sa nitrification simultanée. Cette application est particulièrement prometteuse puisque la nitrification est méconnue dans les lacs et peut exacerber les effets de l’eutrophisation.

Food-web composition affects cross-ecosystem interactions and subsidies

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The role of multiple partners in a digestive mutualism with a protocarnivorous plant

Background and aimsThe protocarnivorous plant Paepalanthus bromelioides (Eriocaulaceae) is similar to bromeliads in that this plant has a rosette-like structure that allows rainwater to accumulate in leaf axils (i.e. phytotelmata). Although the rosettes of P. bromelioides are commonly inhabited by predators (e.g. spiders), their roots are wrapped by a cylindrical termite mound that grows beneath the rosette. In this study it is predicted that these plants can derive nutrients from recycling processes carried out by termites and from predation events that take place inside the rosette. It is also predicted that bacteria living in phytotelmata can accelerate nutrient cycling derived from predators.MethodsThe predictions were tested by surveying plants and animals, and also by performing field experiments in rocky fields from Serra do Cipó, Brazil, using natural abundance and enriched isotopes of 15N. Laboratory bioassays were also conducted to test proteolytic activities of bacteria from P. bromelioides rosettes.Key ResultsAnalyses of 15N in natural nitrogen abundances showed that the isotopic signature of P. bromelioides is similar to that of carnivorous plants and higher than that of non-carnivorous plants in the study area. Linear mixing models showed that predatory activities on the rosettes (i.e. spider faeces and prey carcass) resulted in overall nitrogen contributions of 26·5 % (a top-down flux). Although nitrogen flux was not detected from termites to plants via decomposition of labelled cardboard, the data on 15N in natural nitrogen abundance indicated that 67 % of nitrogen from P. bromelioides is derived from termites (a bottom-up flux). Bacteria did not affect nutrient cycling or nitrogen uptake from prey carcasses and spider faeces.ConclusionsThe results suggest that P. bromelioides derive nitrogen from associated predators and termites, despite differences in nitrogen cycling velocities, which seem to have been higher in nitrogen derived from predators (leaves) than from termites (roots). This is the first study that demonstrates partitioning effects from multiple partners in a digestion-based mutualism. Despite most of the nitrogen being absorbed through their roots (via termites), P. bromelioides has all the attributes necessary to be considered as a carnivorous plant in the context of digestive mutualism. © 2012 The Author. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Annals of Botany Company. All rights reserved.

Degradação de palhada e liberação de nitrogênio por plantas de cobertura sob plantio direto

Crops used to cover the ground may also release nitrogen into the soil during mineralization. However, it is necessary to identify species that combine fast nutrient release and longer permanence of the straw on the soil surface. The aim of this study was to investigate straw degradation and nitrogen release from cover crops under no-tillage cropping systems. The field trial was performed during two growing seasons in summer (2008/2009 and 2009/2010) in the Cerrado region of Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized block in factorial arrangement. Treatments were the combination of five plants (four cover crops species, 1 - Panicum maximum, 2- Brachiaria ruziziensis, 3. Brachiaria brizantha and 4. Pennisetum glaucum [millet], and fallow as a control) with six sampling times (first six weeks after application of glyphosate on the cover crops). Pennisetum glaucum and fallow showed faster straw degradation and nitrogen release. The cover crops Panicum maximum, Brachiaria brizantha and Brachiaria ruziziensis stood out in biomass production and in the amount of nitrogen in their shoots but had the lowest coefficients of degradation and persisted longer on the soil surface than Pennisetum glaucum and fallow.