Nitrogen deposition and its contribution to nitrogen cycling and associated soil processes

Abstract

Human activity has greatly perturbed the nitrogen cycle through increased fixation by legumes, by energy and fertilizer production, and by the mobilization of N from long-term storage pools. This extra reactive N is readily transported through the environment, and there is increasing evidence that it is changing ecosystems through eutrophication and acidification. Rothamsted Experimental Station, UK has been involved in research on N cycling in ecosystems since its inception in 1843. Measurements of precipitation composition at Rothamsted, made since 1853, show an increase of nitrate and ammonium N in precipitation from 1 and 3 kg N ha −" yr −" , respectively, in 1855 to a maximum of 8 and 10 kg N ha −" yr −" in 1980, decreasing to 4 and 5 kg N ha −" yr −" today. Nitrogen inputs via dry deposition do, however, remain high. Recent measurements with diffusion tubes and filter packs show large concentrations of nitrogen dioxide of c. 20 µg m −$ in winter and c. 10 µg m −$ in summer ; the difference is linked to the use of central heating, and with variations in wind direction and pollutant source. Concentrations of nitric acid and particulate N exhibit maxima of 1n5 and 2 µg m −$ in summer and winter, respectively. Concentrations of ammonia are small, barely rising above 1 µg m −$ .Taking deposition velocities from the literature gives a total deposition of all measured N species to winter cereals of 43n3 kg N ha −" yr −" , 84 % as oxidized species, 79 % dry deposited. The fate of this N deposited to the very long-term Broadbalk Continuous Wheat Experiment at Rothamsted has been simulated using the SUNDIAL N-cycling model : at equilibrium, after 154 yr of the experiment and with N deposition increasing from c. 10 kg ha −" yr −" in 1843 to 45 kg ha −" yr −" today, c. 5 % is leached, 12 % is denitrified, 30 % immobilized in the soil organic matter and 53 % taken off in the crop. The ' efficiency of use ' of the deposited N decreases, and losses and immobilization increase as the amount of fertilizer N increases. The deposited N itself, and the acidification that is associated with it (from the nitric acid, ammonia and ammonium), has reduced the number of plant species on the 140-yr-old Park Grass hay meadow. It has also reduced methane oxidation rates in soil by c. 15 % under arable land and 30 % under woodland, and has caused N saturation of local woodland ecosystems : nitrous oxide emission rates of up to 1n4 kg ha −" yr −" are equivalent to those from arable land receiving 200 kg N ha −" yr −" , and in proportion to the excess N deposited ; measurements of N cycling processes and pools using "&N pool dilution techniques show a large nitrate pool and enhanced rates of nitrification relative to immobilization. Ratios of gross nitrification : gross immobilization might prove to be good indices of N saturation.

Effects of nitrogen deposition and fertilization on N transformations in forest soils: a review

“…It is predicted that in the coming decades, global atmospheric deposition rates of reactive N over land may increase by a factor of 2.5 (Lamarque et al 2005). Continual reactive N deposition has induced many negative effects, such as N saturation, eutrophication, and acidification, posing a threat to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems (Aber et al 1989;Goulding et al 1998). Among various types of ecosystems, forest ecosystems have received much more attention.…”

Ecological issues related to N deposition to natural ecosystems: research needs

“…Fertilization with N often leads to large increases in nitrous oxide production (Field et al, 1992). Although the effects of elevated N deposition on denitrification rates have not been well quantified in most natural ecosystems, a stimulation of nitrous oxide production might be expected (Goulding et al, 1998). Fertilization with N can also result in volatilization of ammonia, urea and other forms of N. Gaseous losses have not been quantified for many natural systems, nor have natural (background) rates of loss been established for most ecosystems.…”

Greening of the Earth and its drivers

“…However, this result is uncertain, because only two models in the ensemble specifically performed factorial simulations with and without nitrogen deposition. A slightly negative trend in nitrogen deposition effect was observed in North America and Europe, where nitrogen deposition rates have stabilized, or even declined, during the past three decades 24,25 .…”