Effect of iron oxide on nitrification in two agricultural soils with different pH
Iron (Fe) affects soil nitrogen (N) cycling processes both in anoxic and oxic environments. The role of Fe in soil N transformations including nitrification, mineralization, and immobilization, is influenced by redox activity, which is regulated by soil pH. The effect of Fe minerals, particularly ox...
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doaj-83100261f441401ca9cef4fc5ab6f50e2020-11-24T20:54:58ZengCopernicus PublicationsBiogeosciences1726-41701726-41892016-10-0113195609561710.5194/bg-13-5609-2016Effect of iron oxide on nitrification in two agricultural soils with different pHX. Huang0X. Zhu-Barker1W. R. Horwath2S. J. Faeflen3H. Luo4X. Xin5X. Jiang6College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, 2 Tiansheng Road, Beibei, 400715 Chongqing, ChinaBiogeochemistry and Nutrient Cycling Laboratory, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California Davis, CA 95616, USABiogeochemistry and Nutrient Cycling Laboratory, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California Davis, CA 95616, USACollege of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, 2 Tiansheng Road, Beibei, 400715 Chongqing, ChinaCollege of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, 2 Tiansheng Road, Beibei, 400715 Chongqing, ChinaCollege of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, 2 Tiansheng Road, Beibei, 400715 Chongqing, ChinaCollege of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, 2 Tiansheng Road, Beibei, 400715 Chongqing, ChinaIron (Fe) affects soil nitrogen (N) cycling processes both in anoxic and oxic environments. The role of Fe in soil N transformations including nitrification, mineralization, and immobilization, is influenced by redox activity, which is regulated by soil pH. The effect of Fe minerals, particularly oxides, on soil N transformation processes depends on soil pH, with Fe oxide often stimulating nitrification activity in the soil with low pH. We conducted lab incubations to investigate the effect of Fe oxide on N transformation rates in two subtropical agricultural soils with low pH (pH 5.1) and high pH (pH 7.8). <sup>15</sup>N-labeled ammonium and nitrate were used separately to determine N transformation rates combined with Fe oxide (ferrihydrite) addition. Iron oxide stimulated net nitrification in low-pH soil (pH 5.1), while the opposite occurred in high-pH soil (pH 7.8). Compared to the control, Fe oxide decreased microbial immobilization of inorganic N by 50 % in low-pH soil but increased it by 45 % in high-pH soil. A likely explanation for the effects at low pH is that Fe oxide increased NH<sub>3</sub>-N availability by stimulating N mineralization and inhibiting N immobilization. These results indicate that Fe oxide plays an important role in soil N transformation processes and the magnitude of the effect of Fe oxide is dependent significantly on soil pH.http://www.biogeosciences.net/13/5609/2016/bg-13-5609-2016.pdf |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
X. Huang X. Zhu-Barker W. R. Horwath S. J. Faeflen H. Luo X. Xin X. Jiang |
spellingShingle |
X. Huang X. Zhu-Barker W. R. Horwath S. J. Faeflen H. Luo X. Xin X. Jiang Effect of iron oxide on nitrification in two agricultural soils with different pH Biogeosciences |
author_facet |
X. Huang X. Zhu-Barker W. R. Horwath S. J. Faeflen H. Luo X. Xin X. Jiang |
author_sort |
X. Huang |
title |
Effect of iron oxide on nitrification in two agricultural soils with
different pH |
title_short |
Effect of iron oxide on nitrification in two agricultural soils with
different pH |
title_full |
Effect of iron oxide on nitrification in two agricultural soils with
different pH |
title_fullStr |
Effect of iron oxide on nitrification in two agricultural soils with
different pH |
title_full_unstemmed |
Effect of iron oxide on nitrification in two agricultural soils with
different pH |
title_sort |
effect of iron oxide on nitrification in two agricultural soils with
different ph |
publisher |
Copernicus Publications |
series |
Biogeosciences |
issn |
1726-4170 1726-4189 |
publishDate |
2016-10-01 |
description |
Iron (Fe) affects soil nitrogen (N) cycling processes both in anoxic and
oxic environments. The role of Fe in soil N transformations including
nitrification, mineralization, and immobilization, is influenced by redox
activity, which is regulated by soil pH. The effect of Fe minerals,
particularly oxides, on soil N transformation processes depends on soil pH,
with Fe oxide often stimulating nitrification activity in the soil with low
pH. We conducted lab incubations to investigate the effect of Fe oxide on N
transformation rates in two subtropical agricultural soils with low pH (pH 5.1)
and high pH (pH 7.8). <sup>15</sup>N-labeled ammonium and nitrate were used
separately to determine N transformation rates combined with Fe oxide
(ferrihydrite) addition. Iron oxide stimulated net nitrification in low-pH
soil (pH 5.1), while the opposite occurred in high-pH soil (pH 7.8).
Compared to the control, Fe oxide decreased microbial immobilization of
inorganic N by 50 % in low-pH soil but increased it by 45 % in high-pH
soil. A likely explanation for the effects at low pH is that Fe oxide
increased NH<sub>3</sub>-N availability by stimulating N mineralization and
inhibiting N immobilization. These results indicate that Fe oxide plays an
important role in soil N transformation processes and the magnitude of the
effect of Fe oxide is dependent significantly on soil pH. |
url |
http://www.biogeosciences.net/13/5609/2016/bg-13-5609-2016.pdf |
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1716793145397608448 |