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Potential of soil as a sink for atmospheric nitrous oxide
Author(s) -
Blackmer A. M.,
Bremner J. M.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl003i012p00739
Subject(s) - nitrous oxide , sink (geography) , denitrification , soil water , environmental chemistry , nitrate , environmental science , ozone , ozone layer , nitrogen , atmospheric sciences , chemistry , soil science , geology , cartography , organic chemistry , geography
Recent articles concerning the potential effect of nitrous oxide (N 2 O) on stratospheric ozone have emphasized the need for research to identify sources and sinks of atmospheric N 2 O. Work reported shows that soils have a significant capacity for uptake of N 2 O and may represent an important natural sink for atmospheric N 2 O. Uptake of N 2 O by soils is a microbial process involving reduction of N 2 O to N 2 . It is promoted by anaerobic conditions and by organic substances that promote growth of soil microorganisms, and it is retarded by nitrate. Studies with nine Iowa surface soils showed that their capacity for uptake of N 2 O under conditions favorable for denitrification of nitrate was much greater than their capacity for release of this gas.