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The Effect of Soil Redox Potential and pH on the Reduction and Production of Nitrous Oxide
Author(s) -
Smith C. J.,
Wright M. F.,
Patrick W. H.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1983.00472425001200020007x
Subject(s) - redox , chemistry , anoxic waters , nitrous oxide , reduction potential , inorganic chemistry , sink (geography) , environmental chemistry , organic chemistry , cartography , geography
Experiments were conducted in controlled redox systems to assess the effects of pH and E h on N 2 O reduction and production. Soil/water suspensions (ratio 1:3) were incubated at pH 5, 6, 7 and 8.5, and the redox potential (E h ) was controlled at selected potentials between −200 and +350 mV. Maximum N 2 O reduction was measured at pH 6 and 7. The critical E h for N 2 O reduction and production occurred at +250 mV for pH 6, 7, and 8.5, and +300 mV for pH 5. Although N 2 O reduction began at a higher potential at pH 5, the rate of reduction was slightly lower under anoxic conditions at this pH. Alkaline conditions did not change the critical redox potential, but the rate of N 2 O reduction was lower. The data also demonstrate that soil can act as a sink for N 2 O under anoxic conditions.