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METHODS FOR MEASURING DENITRIFICATION: DIVERSE APPROACHES TO A DIFFICULT PROBLEM
Author(s) -
Groffman Peter M.,
Altabet Mark A.,
Böhlke J. K.,
Butterbach-Bahl Klaus,
David Mark B.,
Firestone Mary K.,
Giblin Anne E.,
Kana Todd M.,
Nielsen Lars Peter,
Voytek Mary A.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
ecological applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.864
H-Index - 213
eISSN - 1939-5582
pISSN - 1051-0761
DOI - 10.1890/1051-0761(2006)016[2091:mfmdda]2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - denitrification , environmental science , aquatic ecosystem , nitrate , ecosystem , reactive nitrogen , nitrogen cycle , ecology , environmental chemistry , biochemical engineering , nitrogen , chemistry , engineering , biology , organic chemistry
Denitrification, the reduction of the nitrogen (N) oxides, nitrate (NO 3 − ) and nitrite (NO 2 − ), to the gases nitric oxide (NO), nitrous oxide (N 2 O), and dinitrogen (N 2 ), is important to primary production, water quality, and the chemistry and physics of the atmosphere at ecosystem, landscape, regional, and global scales. Unfortunately, this process is very difficult to measure, and existing methods are problematic for different reasons in different places at different times. In this paper, we review the major approaches that have been taken to measure denitrification in terrestrial and aquatic environments and discuss the strengths, weaknesses, and future prospects for the different methods. Methodological approaches covered include (1) acetylene‐based methods, (2) 15 N tracers, (3) direct N 2 quantification, (4) N 2 :Ar ratio quantification, (5) mass balance approaches, (6) stoichiometric approaches, (7) methods based on stable isotopes, (8) in situ gradients with atmospheric environmental tracers, and (9) molecular approaches. Our review makes it clear that the prospects for improved quantification of denitrification vary greatly in different environments and at different scales. While current methodology allows for the production of accurate estimates of denitrification at scales relevant to water and air quality and ecosystem fertility questions in some systems (e.g., aquatic sediments, well‐defined aquifers), methodology for other systems, especially upland terrestrial areas, still needs development. Comparison of mass balance and stoichiometric approaches that constrain estimates of denitrification at large scales with point measurements (made using multiple methods), in multiple systems, is likely to propel more improvement in denitrification methods over the next few years.