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Nonmicrobial Nitrite‐to‐Nitrate Transformation in Soils
Author(s) -
Bartlett Richmond J.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1981.03615995004500060009x
Subject(s) - nitrite , nitrate , chemistry , soil water , inorganic chemistry , nitrobacter , environmental chemistry , organic chemistry , soil science , geology
Nitrate formation in soils equilibrated with nitrite at 0.5° C was directly related to soil level of reactive managanese (Mn) oxides. It was demonstrated that synthetic Mn oxides can oxidize nitrite to nitrate and become reduced in the process. Nitrite oxidation, nitrate formation, and MnO 2 reduction were stoichiometrically related reactions in the presence or absence of atmospheric O 2 . Nitrite reduced Mn(IV) to either Mn(II) or Mn(III), but when MnO 2 /nitrite ratios were high, reduction to Mn(III) appeared to predominate. This mechanism of nonmicrobial conversion of nitrite to nitrate may explain why nitrite seldom accumulates in soils, even when Nitrobacter numbers are low and conditions for their growth are unfavorable.