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Microlysimeter for Measuring Nitrogen Mineralization and Microbial Respiration in Aerobic Soil Incubations
Author(s) -
Nadelhoffer Knute J.
Publication year - 1990
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/sssaj1990.03615995005400020019x
Subject(s) - mineralization (soil science) , respiration , soil respiration , incubation , nitrogen cycle , soil water , environmental chemistry , nitrogen , environmental science , chemistry , soil science , biology , botany , biochemistry , organic chemistry
The construction and operation of a microlysimeter for conducting aerobic soil incubations are described. This device is simple to construct, inexpensive, durable, and portable. These features allow for experimental designs with large numbers of treatment replicates. The microlysimeter permits repeated measures of both N mineralization and microbial respiration rates in samples subjected to long‐term incubation under controlled conditions. Short‐term respiration measurements made on incubated soils are reliable and linear. Reproducible measurements of N mineralization and microbial respiration allow monitoring changes in rates of both processes during the course of long‐term soil incubations.