『Abstract
Ombrotrophic (rain-fed) Sphagnum-mires do not significantly
contribute to gaseous nitrogen (N) emissions to the atmosphere.
However, increasing levels of N deposition reduce Sphagnum
growth and moss cover. As a consequence, higher amounts of mineral
N reach the underlying peat beneath the moss layer. The aim of
our work was to determine the effects of supplementary N inputs
to peat beneath Sphagnum magellanicum carpets. Peat cores
were incubated in controlled laboratory conditions of temperature
and humidity, and the impact of increasing N input was evaluated
on denitrification rates, basal respiration and methane emissions.
Rates of denitrification were quickly stimulated by addition of
1 g N m-2 but rates were not significantly elevated
in the short-term (9 days) by further additions of up to 10 g
N m-2. Over a longer term period (up to 45 days), denitrification
rates followed an exponential (10 g N m-2 addition)
or a gamma (1 g N m-2) function. Findings from this
study support the hypothesis that mineral-N addition in atmospheric
deposition will have a negative effect on peat biogeochemistry,
by modifying its N sink capacity via denitrification leading to
a potential increase in N2O emissions.
Keywords: Nitrogen deposition; Sphagnum-mire; Peat; Denitrification;
Nitrate; Ammonium; Microbial biomass; N cycling
Abbreviations
Introduction
Materials and methods
Sphagnum magellanicum peat
Experimental set-up
Denitrification, CO2 and CH4
measurements and gas analysis
Microbial biomass C and nutrient analyses
Statistical analyses and modeling procedures
Results
Denitrification over time under aerated vs. anaerobic conditions
Denitrification rates vs. control factors
N inputs and peat C
Discussion
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
References