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Imbalanced atmospheric nitrogen and phosphorus depositions in China: Implications for nutrient limitation
Author(s) -
Zhu Jianxing,
Wang Qiufeng,
He Nianpeng,
Smith Melinda D.,
Elser James J.,
Du Jiaqiang,
Yuan Guofu,
Yu Guirui,
Yu Qiang
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: biogeosciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-8961
pISSN - 2169-8953
DOI - 10.1002/2016jg003393
Subject(s) - terrestrial ecosystem , deposition (geology) , nutrient , environmental science , phosphorus , ecosystem , nitrogen , environmental chemistry , precipitation , fertilizer , atmospheric sciences , agronomy , ecology , chemistry , biology , geography , geology , structural basin , meteorology , paleontology , organic chemistry
Atmospheric wet nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) depositions are important sources of bioavailable N and P, and the input of N and P and their ratios significantly influences nutrient availability and balance in terrestrial as well as aquatic ecosystems. Here we monitored atmospheric P depositions by measuring monthly dissolved P concentration in rainfall at 41 field stations in China. Average deposition fluxes of N and P were 13.69 ± 8.69 kg N ha −1 a −1 (our previous study) and 0.21 ± 0.17 kg P ha −1 a −1 , respectively. Central and southern China had higher N and P deposition rates than northwest China, northeast China, Inner Mongolia, or Qinghai‐Tibet. Atmospheric N and P depositions showed strong seasonal patterns and were dependent upon seasonal precipitation. Fertilizer and energy consumption were significantly correlated with N deposition but less correlated with P deposition. The N:P ratios of atmospheric wet deposition (with the average of 77 ± 40, by mass) were negatively correlated with current soil N:P ratios in different ecological regions, suggesting that the imbalanced atmospheric N and P deposition will alter nutrient availability and strengthen P limitation, which may further influence the structure and function of terrestrial ecosystems. The findings provide the assessments of both wet N and P deposition and their N:P ratio across China and indicate potential for strong impacts of atmospheric deposition on broad range of terrestrial ecosystems.