Nitrogen mineralization and water-table height in oligotrophic deep peat

Williams, B. L.; Wheatley, Rebecca

doi:10.1007/bf00257664

Cited by 54 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 23 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This finding is not exclusive to our study, and other studies have found that nutrient mineralization rates are higher at sites that have lower soil moisture and water level positions (Williams and Wheatly, 1988;Holden et al, 2004). However, this is in contrast to extractable TIN pools, which appeared to be greater at wetter sites.…”

Section: Nitrogen and Phosphorus Content In Wbp Peatlandscontrasting

confidence: 85%

Spatial variation in nutrient dynamics among five different peatland types in the Alberta oil sands region

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Wetlands are found extensively throughout the Western Boreal Plain, a region under pressure because of disturbance by the oil and gas industries. To understand how wetland systems may respond to disturbance and set targets for reclamation efforts, it is necessary to understand natural variability in nutrient dynamics in the landscape. The purpose of this study was to characterize spatial variability in peatland nutrient (nitrogen, N, and phosphorus, P) dynamics in the Athabasca Oil Sands (AOS) region. N and P availability and net mineralization rates in the upper 10 cm layer of peat were examined during the peak growing season in five peatlands that fell along an apparent moisture gradient. N and P dynamics within and among the sites were related to water table position, peat moisture content and temperature. Phosphorus supply rates and total inorganic N pools and supply rates were generally elevated under wetter conditions, whereas nitrate (NO 3 À ) pools and supply rates and P pools did not vary along a moisture gradient. In general, net immobilization was observed at the wetter sites where nutrient pools were elevated and net mineralization was observed at drier sites where nutrient pools were lower. Nutrient transformation rates were most strongly driven by warmer temperatures. Nutrient availability and immobilization rates were anomalously high at one peatland (a disturbed fen with a semi-permanent road and decommissioned well pads). We suggest that reclamation and management practices should focus on regulating peatland hydrologic conditions, optimizing these for the most desirable nutrient levels for vegetation growth.

show abstract

Section: Nitrogen and Phosphorus Content In Wbp Peatlandscontrasting

confidence: 85%

Spatial variation in nutrient dynamics among five different peatland types in the Alberta oil sands region

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The less-decomposed ESE peat had a greater amount of NH 4 -N than the more-decomposed LSE peat excavated from the lower bog layers (Table 4). This was in agreement with the findings of Williams and Wheatley (1988), who reported that the amount of NH 4 -N decreased with depth in oligotrophic peat (very low nutrient peat blankets where plant growth is inhibited). The LSE peat also had lower levels of other nutrients such as P and K (Table 1) and was drier (Table 3) than the ESE peat, all of which could have potentially contributed to a reduction of bacterial activity and N mineralization.…”

Section: Chemical Propertiessupporting

confidence: 93%

“…This in turn could also have contributed to the greater pH observed in the LSE peat. The higher pH of the LSE peat excavated from the lower layers of the Alberta bog was in agreement with the findings of a study carried out by Williams and Wheatley (1988), who reported that the pH in peat bogs increased with depth.…”

Section: Chemical Propertiessupporting

confidence: 91%

Effects of peat source and length of storage time in bales on selected properties of Sphagnum peat

Mofidpoor¹,

Kržić²,

Principe³

2009

Can. J. Soil. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Mofidpoor, M., Krzic, M. and Principe, L. 2009. Effects of peat source and length of storage time in bales on selected properties of Sphagnum peat. Can. J. Soil Sci. 89: 635Á644. Peat is a common ingredient of growing media used in the horticultural industry in North America and Europe, yet Canada does not have formal standards for peat quality assessment. This study evaluated selected properties of baled peat as affected by peat source and length of storage time under conditions typically occurring at a commercial growing media firm. Nine bales of peat (dominated by fibric white peat) from the upper, less-decomposed layers of a Sphagnum bog in Manitoba in the early stage of exploitation (ESE) and nine bales of peat (dominated by hemic brown peat) from the lower, more-decomposed layers of a Sphagnum bog in Alberta in the late stage of exploitation (LSE), were sampled after 1, 3, and 10 mo of storage. The ESE peat had a larger particle size (determined by both dry and wet sieving), and a higher content of total elements (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Mo, Al, As, Cd, Co, Na, Ni, Pb, and Si), water content, and NH 4 -N than the LSE peat. The LSE peat had higher pH and NO 3 -N content. Plant-available water, air-filled porosity, and the number of germinated weeds were similar in ESE and LSE peat. In both sources of peat, organic particle size (determined by wet sieving) was lower after 10 mo of storage relative to 1 and 3 mo of storage. Similarly, the NH 4 -N content decreased from 120 mg kg(1 after 1 mo of storage to 90 mg kg (1 after 10 mo of storage. Hence, the growing media industry should monitor particle size distribution and available N at the time when peat is incorporated into growing mixes.

show abstract

“…anaerobic and relatively acidic, Hemond 1983), although low nitrate concentations severely limit the extent to which the process can proceed. Thus, since no exogenous nitrate was added to our systems, it seems likely that the increased aeration brought about by the simulated drought caused mineralisation (and nitrification) of some of the organic-N within the peat matrix (Williams & Wheatley 1988), thus providing the substrates for denitrification either in the lower anaerobic zone or else within anaerobic microsites (Sexton et al 1985) within the upper, predominantly aerobic layer. In addition, the aerobic processes of nitrification are a potential nitrous oxide source (Bremmer & Blackmer 1978).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fluxes of CO2, CH4 and N2O from a Welsh peatland following simulation of water table draw-down: Potential feedback to climatic change

1993

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. A potential effect of climatic change was simulated by manipulating the water table height within intact peat monoliths. The treatment decreased methane fhrx (maximum -80%) and increased both carbon dioxide flux (maximum 146%) and nitrous oxide flux (maximum 936%). Returning the water table height to its original level caused both nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide flux to rapidly return to control levels. However, methane flux remained at its experimentally induced low levels.

show abstract

Nitrogen mineralization and water-table height in oligotrophic deep peat

Cited by 54 publications

References 23 publications

Spatial variation in nutrient dynamics among five different peatland types in the Alberta oil sands region

Spatial variation in nutrient dynamics among five different peatland types in the Alberta oil sands region

Effects of peat source and length of storage time in bales on selected properties of Sphagnum peat

Fluxes of CO2, CH4 and N2O from a Welsh peatland following simulation of water table draw-down: Potential feedback to climatic change

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About