『Abstract
　We found exceptionally high nitrate levels (up to 12,750 kg ha^-1) at shallow depths (≦1 m) in soils mantled by desert pavement, a common land-surface feature in arid regions. nearby soils without desert pavement had nitrate contents that were one to two orders of magnitude lower. The soil conditions coincident with desert pavement (i.e., stability, antiquity, and virtually no leaching) favor the retention and accumulation of nitrate delivered by atmospheric deposition or in situ fixation. The nitrate stored in soils under desert pavement is a previously unrecognized pool of nitrogen that has the potential to increase the global nitrogen inventory for near-surface desert soils to five times previous estimates. Its near-surface occurrence makes this labile nitrogen pool particularly susceptible to mobilization by climate change or human disturbance, risking contamination of surface and groundwaters.

Keywords: desert pavement; soil; nitrogen; nitrate』

Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
　Desert pavement hydrology
　Soil nitrate inventory
　Sources of nitrate
　Implications for ecosystems and environmental quality
Acknowledgments
References cited