| Title: | Mechanisms for the retention of inorganic N in acidic forest soils of southern China |
| Author(s): | Zhang JB; Cai ZC; Zhu TB; Yang WY; Muller C; |
| Address: | "School of Geography Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210047, China" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 2045-2322 (Electronic) 2045-2322 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "The mechanisms underlying the retention of inorganic N in acidic forest soils in southern China are not well understood. Here, we simultaneously quantified the gross N transformation rates of various subtropical acidic forest soils located in southern China (southern soil) and those of temperate forest soils located in northern China (northern soil). We found that acidic southern soils had significantly higher gross rates of N mineralization and significantly higher turnover rates but a much greater capacity for retaining inorganic N than northern soils. The rates of autotrophic nitrification and NH3 volatilization in acidic southern soils were significantly lower due to low soil pH. Meanwhile, the relatively higher rates of NO3(-) immobilization into organic N in southern soils can counteract the effects of leaching, runoff, and denitrification. Taken together, these processes are responsible for the N enrichment of the humid subtropical forest soils in southern China" |
| Keywords: | China Hydrogen-Ion Concentration Inorganic Chemicals/*chemistry Nitrogen Compounds/*chemistry Soil/*chemistry Trees/*chemistry; |
| Notes: | "MedlineZhang, Jin-bo Cai, Zu-cong Zhu, Tong-bin Yang, Wen-yan Muller, Christoph eng Comparative Study Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2013/08/03 Sci Rep. 2013; 3:2342. doi: 10.1038/srep02342" |
