草甸草原土壤与植物系统自然丰度氮稳定同位素的年际变化及其指示作用

氮是陆地生态系统生产力的首要限制性养分,利用自然丰度δ¹⁵N(¹⁵N/¹⁴N)可以有效指示生态系统氮循环过程。本试验研究了内蒙古草甸草原土壤与植物系统自然丰度δ¹⁵N、土壤净氮矿化潜势的年际变化。结果表明: 2017—2020年,土壤NO₃^--N含量(9.83～14.79 mg·kg^-1)均显著高于NH₄⁺-N含量(3.92～5.00 mg·kg^-1);土壤NH₄⁺的δ¹⁵N值(13.3‰～18.3‰)显著高于NO₃^-的δ¹⁵N值(3.76‰～6.14‰),土壤NO₃^-的δ¹⁵N值与土壤NO₃^-含量呈显著负相关;干旱年NH₄⁺的δ¹⁵N值相对较高,降水较高或较低年NO₃^-的δ¹⁵N值显著降低。干旱年土壤净氮矿化速率、净氨化速率显著高于湿润年,而土壤硝化速率与年降水量无显著相关性。植物δ¹⁵N值与土壤δ¹⁵N值无显著相关性,但与植物N含量呈显著负相关;豆科植物与非豆科植物δ¹⁵N值、N含量均呈显著正相关,在一定程度上表明豆科植物对非豆科植物的N吸收具有促进作用。研究结果可为草原土壤-植物系统氮循环过程及其对降水变化的响应提供数据支撑。     

利用15N示踪技术研究木荷与马尾松幼苗叶片对NO2的吸收与分配

大气氮氧化物(NO_x=NO+NO₂)随着干沉降进入森林生态系统时,会首先接触森林冠层。森林乔木能通过叶片吸收多少NO₂以及对吸收的NO₂是如何分配的,目前尚不清楚。该研究利用¹⁵N稳定同位素示踪技术,对中国南方常见乔木树种木荷(Schima superba)和马尾松(Pinus massoniana)幼苗在黑暗和光照两种条件下进行了¹⁵NO₂静态箱熏蒸实验,检测并分析了两种植物的¹⁵N回收率以及吸收的NO₂在植物各组织中的分配结果。结果显示:植物主要通过气孔吸收NO₂,木荷和马尾松在黑暗条件下整体分别能回收10.3%±5.9%和20.4%±7.0%¹⁵NO₂,在光照条件下整体分别能回收35.9%±5.4%和68.2%±7.6%¹⁵NO₂。两种植物各组织中的平均干质量¹⁵     

大气沉降氮在土壤-植物系统中的留存机制

大气沉降氮在土壤和植物中的留存特征，是陆地生态系统氮截获和持续供应的关键。采用稳定性氮同位素技术标记¹⁵NO₃^-和¹⁵NH₄⁺,可以量化两种形态沉降氮的归趋动态。国内外氮同位素示踪试验的主要特点是氮添加量小(多小于250 mg ¹⁵N·m^-2),运行时间短(少于48个月),¹⁵NO₃^-和¹⁵NH₄⁺归趋的对比研究少。大气沉降氮中NO₃^-和NH₄⁺在生态系统中的留存，会因植物吸收偏好、微生物-植物氮竞争状况和生物-非生物固定过程的差异而不同。已有的研究表明，持续周转的微生物生物量氮是外源氮转化和固持的主要场所之一，土壤微生物偏好吸收利用NH₄⁺,而非NO<...     

硝酸盐供应水平对平邑甜茶幼苗生长、光合特性与15N吸收、利用的影响

以霍格兰营养液为培养基质,采用¹⁵N同位素示踪技术,研究不同浓度¹⁵NO₃^--N (0、2.5、5、10和20 mmol·L^-1,分别以N₀、N₁、N₂、N₃和N₄表示)对平邑甜茶幼苗生长、光合作用、¹⁵N吸收、利用及分配的影响.结果表明:与其他处理相比,N₂处理幼苗叶绿素含量、叶面积及各器官干质量最大.叶片净光合速率(P_n)随¹⁵NO₃^--N浓度的增加显著增大,但¹⁵NO₃^--N浓度超过N₂处理后P_n略有下降.处理20 d时,N₂处理幼苗根系活力最大,根系长度、根系总表面积和根尖数也显著高于其他处理.各处理间¹⁵N分配率差异显著,N₂处理幼苗各器官间¹⁵N分配率最均衡,¹⁵N利用率也较高;随¹⁵NO₃^--N浓度增加,各处理幼苗全氮量和¹⁵N吸收量呈先升高后降低的趋势,且在N₂处理时最大,分别为103.77和21.57 mg.处理12 d后,叶片硝酸还原酶(NR)活性以N₂处理最高,N₄处理最低,至第16天时,N₄处理较N₂处理降低了84.9%.因此,¹⁵NO₃^--N供应过低抑制幼苗光合作用及氮素吸收,¹⁵NO₃^--N供应过高则抑制幼苗体内硝态氮同化及根系生长,均不利于苹果幼苗生长及氮素营养吸收利用,适量供氮有利于苹果幼苗的生长、光合作用的提高,以及氮素的吸收、利用和分配.     

15N标记稻草中N、C在羊体内的转化和利用

应用¹⁵N标记稻草饲喂3只山羊,以探明羊对稻草N、C化合物的消化、吸收、排泄和转化规律.结果表明,已宰杀的2只羊消化、吸收、转化为羊机体的¹⁵N占试验日粮中¹⁵N富集总量的38.54和23.78%,平均为31.16%.3只羊从粪尿中排泄的¹⁵N各占饲料中¹⁵N的34.78、33.88和33.18%,平均为33.95±0.80%,已屠宰的2只羊对饲料¹⁵N总回收率为73.32和56.96%,损失率为26.68和43.04%.饲料¹⁵N的回收利用率与饲料中氨基酸的消化率(%)相吻合.1、2、3号羊对饲料碳水化合物的消化率分别为76.40、68.66和65.19%.其中饲喂2、3号羊的饲料中都含稻草50%左右,羊对碳水化合物的平均消化率为66.93%.     

东北森林两种典型阔叶树种子和幼苗对15N同位素的富集响应

以东北森林两种典型的阔叶树种风力传播种子——花曲柳和色木槭种子为研究对象,通过室内¹⁵N尿素浸泡试验和温室盆栽试验,设置4个浓度(0、0.05、0.1和0.2 g·L^-1)、3个浸泡时间(4、8和12 d)与4个叶期(2、4、6和8叶)处理,研究种子浸泡浓度、浸泡时间和幼苗叶期对种子和幼苗¹⁵N富集的影响.结果表明: 浸泡浓度和浸泡时间对两树种种子δ¹⁵N值均有显著的正反馈作用,高浓度和长时间(0.2 g·L^-1+12 d)更有利于种子¹⁵N总量的富集,花曲柳和色木槭种子¹⁵N同位素最大富集倍数的浸泡浓度和浸泡时间组合分别为0.1 g·L^-1+(4、8 d)和0.05 g·L^-1+(4、8 d);δ¹⁵N值稀释率随幼苗株高的增加先急剧减少(2~6叶)后趋于稳定,幼苗从8叶开始叶片¹⁵N总量降低,表明6叶幼苗更适合追踪幼苗的来源;幼苗叶片δ¹⁵N值与种子浸泡浓度、浸泡时间和种子的δ¹⁵N值呈显著正相关.花曲柳和色木槭种子及幼苗均能成功富集到¹⁵N信号,采用0.1 g·L^-1+8 d+6叶组合最适合追踪花曲柳和色木槭种子和幼苗.     

放牧对内蒙古典型草原生态系统植物及土壤δ15N的影响

植物和土壤中的¹⁵N自然丰度值(δ¹⁵N)是评价生态系统N循环的一个重要指标, 而放牧是草原生态系统的主要土地利用方式, 对草原生态系统的N循环过程的改变起着重要作用。该研究测定了内蒙古锡林河流域放牧和围封条件下草原群落主要优势植物和土壤的δ¹⁵N值, 探讨放牧对草原N循环的影响。研究中所测定的8种植物叶片δ¹⁵N变化很大(-4.04‰-4.34‰), 但与植物功能型有一定的相关性。放牧显著降低了大针茅(Stipa grandis)、杂类草和小半灌木木地肤(Kochia prostrata)的δ¹⁵N值。具有潜在共生固氮能力的豆科植物δ¹⁵N偏低负值(-4.04‰ - -1.90‰), 但在放牧和围封条件下无显著差异; 而被认为具有联合固氮能力的羊草(Leymus chinensis), 放牧后δ¹⁵N显著增加, 一定程度上表明了豆科植物和羊草生物固氮能力的存在。所有植物中, 除无菌根侵染的木地肤外, 其他有丛枝菌根真菌侵染记录的物种δ¹⁵N值较低, 通常接近0或为负值, 说明在N限制的内蒙古草原, 菌根转运N可能也是一种重要的N源途径。放牧显著降低了0-20 cm土壤δ¹⁵N值, 这也与过去的研究结果不同。δ¹⁵N的测定为生态系统提供了一个整合时空N循环过程的综合指标, 反映出放牧改变了草原生态系统的N循环。     

供氮水平对矮化苹果15N-尿素吸收、利用、损失及产量和品质的影响

以7年生烟富3/M26/平邑甜茶为试材,采用¹⁵N同位素示踪技术,研究不同供氮水平[低氮(100 kg N·hm^-2,N₁₀₀)、中氮(200 kg N·hm^-2,N₂₀₀)和高氮(300 kg N·hm^-2,N₃₀₀)]对烟富3/M26/平邑甜茶¹⁵N-尿素吸收、利用、损失及产量和品质的影响.结果表明: 不同供氮水平植株的生长状况及氮素吸收、利用和损失特性差异显著.N₂₀₀处理植株叶绿素含量(SPAD)、光合速率(P_n)、叶片全氮含量和生物量显著高于N₁₀₀和N₃₀₀处理,植株根冠比也显著增加.不同供氮水平下植株各器官对氮的吸收能力(Ndff值)存在显著差异,各测定时期果实(花)、叶片、一年生枝、多年生枝和中心干的Ndff值均为N₁₀₀>N₂₀₀＞N₃₀₀;而根的Ndff值在盛花期和春梢缓长期为N₁₀₀ >N₂₀₀＞N₃₀₀,在秋梢生长期、果实膨大期和果实成熟期为N₂₀₀ >N₁₀₀＞N₃₀₀.在果实成熟期,N₂₀₀处理¹⁵N肥料利用率为23.6%,显著高于N₁₀₀(16.3%)和N₃₀₀处理(14.4%),而¹⁵N损失率为56.4%,显著低于N₁₀₀(60.6%)和N₃₀₀处理(66.1%).不同供氮水平植株的平均单果质量、单株产量、可溶性固形物、硬度、可溶性糖、可滴定酸、糖酸比均存在显著差异,且均以N₂₀₀处理最高,其次是N₃₀₀处理,N₁₀₀处理最低.     

硝酸盐供应水平对平邑甜茶幼苗生长、光合特性与15N吸收、利用的影响

以霍格兰营养液为培养基质,采用¹⁵N同位素示踪技术,研究不同浓度¹⁵NO₃^--N (0、2.5、5、10和20 mmol·L^-1,分别以N₀、N₁、N₂、N₃和N₄表示)对平邑甜茶幼苗生长、光合作用、¹⁵N吸收、利用及分配的影响.结果表明:与其他处理相比,N₂处理幼苗叶绿素含量、叶面积及各器官干质量最大.叶片净光合速率(P_n)随¹⁵NO₃^--N浓度的增加显著增大,但¹⁵NO₃^--N浓度超过N₂处理后P_n略有下降.处理20 d时,N₂处理幼苗根系活力最大,根系长度、根系总表面积和根尖数也显著高于其他处理.各处理间¹⁵N分配率差异显著,N₂处理幼苗各器官间¹⁵N分配率最均衡,¹⁵N利用率也较高;随¹⁵NO₃^--N浓度增加,各处理幼苗全氮量和¹⁵N吸收量呈先升高后降低的趋势,且在N₂处理时最大,分别为103.77和21.57 mg.处理12 d后,叶片硝酸还原酶(NR)活性以N₂处理最高,N₄处理最低,至第16天时,N₄处理较N₂处理降低了84.9%.因此,¹⁵NO₃^--N供应过低抑制幼苗光合作用及氮素吸收,¹⁵NO₃^--N供应过高则抑制幼苗体内硝态氮同化及根系生长,均不利于苹果幼苗生长及氮素营养吸收利用,适量供氮有利于苹果幼苗的生长、光合作用的提高,以及氮素的吸收、利用和分配.     

土壤剖面碳氮稳定同位素自然丰度的垂直分布模式及其影响机制

土壤碳、氮稳定同位素自然丰度(δ¹³C和δ¹⁵N)随土壤深度变化的研究,对揭示碳、氮元素生物地球化学循环机制具有重要意义。本文在概述土壤剖面δ¹³C和δ¹⁵N垂直分布特征的基础上,重点介绍了土壤δ¹³C和δ¹⁵N垂直分布模式的影响机制。土壤剖面δ¹³C垂直分布模式的影响机制主要有3种: 1)植被δ¹³C值的历史变化;2)植物群落C3-C4植物优势度变化;3)分解过程中¹³C富集的微生物源碳的积累。此外,讨论了¹³C休斯效应对土壤剖面δ¹³C垂直分布模式的影响。土壤剖面δ¹⁵N垂直分布模式的影响机制主要有4种: 1)反硝化过程产生的¹⁵N贫化气体的损失;2)分解过程中¹⁵N富集的微生物源氮的积累;3)菌根将¹⁵N贫化的含氮化合物转移到植物而在深层土壤积累¹⁵N富集的菌根真菌残留物;4)土壤有机质-矿物相互作用。最后提出了未来土壤剖面碳、氮稳定同位素自然丰度的垂直分布模式研究应该关注的重点。     

Alpine plants show species-level differences in the uptake of organic and inorganic nitrogen

As an estimate of species-level differences in the capacity to take up different forms of N, we measured plant uptake of ¹⁵N-NH₄ ⁺, ¹⁵N-NO₃ ^– and ¹⁵N, [1]-¹³C glycine within a set of herbaceous species collected from three alpine community types. Plants grown from cuttings in the greenhouse showed similar growth responses to the three forms of N but varied in the capacity to take up NH₄ ⁺, NO₃ ^– and glycine. Glycine uptake ranged from approximately 42% to greater than 100% of NH₄ ⁺ uptake; however, four out of nine species showed significantly greater uptake of either NH₄ ⁺ or NO₃ ^– than of glycine. Relative concentrations of exchangeable N at the sites of plant collection did not correspond with patterns of N uptake among species; instead, species from the same community varied widely in the capacity to take up NH₄ ⁺, NO₃ ^–, and glycine, suggesting the potential for differentiation among species in resource (N) use.     

Preferences for 15N-ammonium, 15N-nitrate,and 15N-glycine differ among dominant exotic and subordinate native grasses from a California oak woodland

Following an invasion of exotic annual grasses into California oak woodlands, grass species dominance shifted from native perennials to exotic annuals. In combination with other ecosystem and species characteristics, species-specific N preferences may influence species coexistence and dominance. If species N preferences follow dominance patterns in California oak woodlands, then the more dominant exotic grasses should prefer the most abundant inorganic soil N form (NH₄⁺), while the subordinate native grasses should prefer the less available inorganic (NO₃^?) or organic (glycine) soil N forms. To investigate this prediction, we applied ¹⁵N-labeled NH₄⁺, NO₃^?, and glycine to soil and measured % ¹⁵N recovery by two dominant annual grasses (Bromus diandrus and Bromus hordeaceus) and two subordinate perennial grasses (Elymus glaucus and Nassella pulchra). As expected, shoots of B. diandrus recovered more ¹⁵N-NH₄⁺ (74%) than either ¹⁵N-NO₃^? (51%) or ¹⁵N-glycine (39%). B. diandrus also captured at least 3.2 times more ¹⁵N-NH₄⁺ than subordinate grasses. Dominant B. hordeaceus, however, demonstrated no N form preferences. As hypothesized, shoots of subordinate E. glaucus and N. pulchra recovered 2.1–2.3 times more ¹⁵N-NO₃^? than ¹⁵N-NH₄⁺ and increased %N by 4.8–5.7% in response to the application of ¹⁵N-NO₃^?. Both subordinate grasses did not prefer ¹⁵N-glycine over ¹⁵N-NH₄⁺, suggesting that the importance of this N form in structuring species coexistence in California oak woodlands is minimal. These results support our theory that species N preferences follow dominance patterns in California oak woodlands. To further understand the role of these species-specific N preferences in structuring dominance, the importance of N form versus such characteristics as rooting distribution and species phenologies needs to be explored in the presence of interspecific competition.     

Seasonal variation in nitrogen uptake and turnover in two high-elevation soils: mineralization responses are site-dependent

In arctic and alpine ecosystems, soil nitrogen (N) dynamics can differ markedly between winter and summer months, and nitrogen losses can be measurable during the spring and fall transitions. To explore the effect of seasonality on biogeochemical processes in a temperate alpine environment, we used a combination of field incubations (year-round) and ¹⁵N tracer additions (late fall, early spring, summer) to characterize soil N dynamics in a wet and dry meadow in the Sierra Nevada, California. The snowmelt to early summer season marked a period of high ¹⁵N uptake and turnover in the two soils, coincident with the increase in microbial N pools at the start of snowmelt (wet and dry meadow); an increase in net N mineralization and net nitrification as snowmelt progressed (wet meadow only); and measureable net production of ¹⁵N-NH₄ ⁺ in mid-summer (wet and dry meadow). Whereas fluctuations in microbial biomass were generally synchronous between the wet and dry meadow soils, only wet meadow soils appeared to mineralize N in response to declines in the microbial N pool. Net N mineralization and net nitrification rates in the dry meadow soil were negligible on all but one sampling date, in spite of periodic decreases in biomass of up to 60%. Across both sites, high ¹⁵N recoveries in microbial biomass N, rapid ¹⁵N-NH₄ ⁺ turnover, and low or negative net ¹⁵N-NH₄ ⁺ fluxes suggested tight cycling of N, particularly in the late fall and early spring.     

Variation in nitrogen-15 natural abundance and nitrogen uptake traits among co-occurring alpine species: do species partition by nitrogen form?

In the N-limited alpine tundra, plants may utilize a diversity of N sources (organic and inorganic N) in order to meet their nutritional requirements. To characterize species-level differences in traits related to N acquisition, we analyzed foliar '¹⁵N, nitrate reductase activity (NRA) and mycorrhizal infection in co-occurring alpine species during the first half of the growing season and compared these traits to patterns of N uptake using a ¹⁵N (¹⁵N-NH₄⁺, ¹⁵N-NO₃^-) or ¹³C,¹⁵N ([1]-¹³C-¹⁵N-glycine) tracer addition in the greenhouse. ¹³C enrichment in belowground tissue indicated that all species were capable of taking up labeled glycine, although only one species showed uptake of glycine potentially exceeding that of inorganic N. Species showing the most depleted foliar '¹⁵N and elevated NRA in the field also tended to show relatively high rates of NO₃^- uptake in the greenhouse. Likewise, species showing the most enriched foliar '¹⁵N also showed high rates of NH₄⁺ uptake. The ratio of NO₃^-:NH₄⁺ uptake rates and growth rate explained 64% and 72% of the variance in foliar '¹⁵N, respectively, suggesting that species differ in the ability to take up NO₃^- and NH₄⁺ in the field and that such differences may enable species to partition soil N on the basis of N form.     

Successive soil treatment with captan or oxytetracycline affects non-target microorganisms

Changes in microbial biomass and activity were determined in a sandy-loam soil treated with successive dosages of oxytetracycline (a bactericide) or captan (a fungicide) throughout 98 days of incubation under laboratory conditions. The numbers of culturable bacteria and fungi, total bacterial and fungal biomass (as amounts of phospholipid fatty acids, PLFA), the fungal/bacterial ratio, activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases and urease as well as concentrations of N-NH₄ ⁺ and N-NO₃ ⁻ were assessed. Both oxytetracycline and captan significantly decreased numbers of culturable bacteria whereas total bacterial biomass (bactPLFA) was not affected. Oxytetracycline did not effect on the fungal biomass, however their numbers were reduced after the first and second time of soil amendment with the bactericide. Conversely, fungal numbers and biomass (PLFA 18:2ω6,9) significantly decreased in response to soil treatment with the fungicide. Compared to oxytetracycline, captan significantly decreased activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases. For urease activity, the decreased activity was only observed in the soil after the third dosage of captan. Both biocides significantly increased concentrations of N-NH₄ ⁺ and decreased concentrations of N-NO₃ ⁻ after the soil treatments. The results of this study indicate that successive soil treatment with oxytetracycline or captan dosages may negatively affect non-target soil microorganisms and their activities.     

Growth and toxin production of tropical <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alexandrium minutum</Emphasis> Halim (Dinophyceae) under various nitrogen to phosphorus ratios

Effects of nitrogen to phosphorous (N/P) ratios of two nitrogen sources (nitrate and ammonium) on growth and toxin production of a tropical estuarine dinoflagellate, Alexandrium minutum Halim, were examined using a strain isolated from a bloom at Tumpat Estuary, Malaysia in September 2001. Experiments were carried out in batch cultures, using either nitrate (N-NO₃) or ammonium (N-NH₄) as the nitrogen source at a constant amount, and with initial N/P ratios ranging from 5 to 500. Cell density, residual N and P in the medium, cellular toxin quota (Q _t), and toxin composition were analyzed throughout the growths. Our results showed that cell densities and growth rates of A. minutum were severely suppressed under high N/P ratios (>100) in both N-NO₃ and N-NH₄ treatments. Cells tended to be larger at lower growth rate and P-limited cultures. Toxin profile was relatively constant throughout the experiments, with GTX4/GTX1 as the dominant toxin congeners. Cellular toxin quota (Q _t) increased with elevated N/P ratios in both N-NO₃ and N-NH₄ treatments. Toxin production rate, R _tox, however was enhanced in N-NH₄-grown cultures when P was limited, but showed no difference between N-NO₃- and N-NH₄-grown cultures when P was replete. Our results clearly showed that N/P ratios as well as the nitrogen compounds not only affected the growth of A. minutum, but also the cellular toxin quota and its toxin production rate.     

Which root traits determine nitrogen uptake by alpine plant species on the Tibetan Plateau?

Background and aims

Nitrogen (N) is one of the most important limiting factors influencing plant growth and reproduction in alpine and tundra ecosystems. However, in situ observations of the effects of root traits on N absorption by alpine plant species are still lacking.

Methods

We investigated the rates of N uptake and the effect of root characteristics in ten common herbaceous alpine plant species using a ¹⁵N isotope tracer technique and the root systems of plants growing in a semi-arid steppe environment on the Tibetan Plateau. Our objective was to determine the root traits (root biomass, volume, surface area, average diameter, length, specific root length and specific root area) that make the largest contribution to the total uptake of N (¹⁵N–NO₃ ^?, ¹⁵N–NH₄ ⁺ or ¹⁵N–glycine) by alpine plant species.

Results

Monocotyledonous species had higher absorption rates for ¹⁵N–NH₄ ⁺, ¹⁵N–NO₃ ^?, ¹⁵N–glycine and total ¹⁵N than dicotyledonous species (P < 0.05). The root biomass, volume, surface area and average diameter were negatively correlated with the absorption capacity for ¹⁵N–NH₄ ⁺, ¹⁵N–NO₃ ^? and total ¹⁵N across the ten alpine plant species. However, the specific root length and the specific root area had significantly positive effects on the uptake of N.

Conclusions

In contrast with traditional views on the uptake of N, the N uptake rate was not improved by a larger root volume or root surface area for these alpine plant species in a high-altitude ecosystem. Root morphological traits had greater impacts on N absorption than traits related to the root system size in alpine herbaceous plants.

     

Nitrifying activity monitoring and kinetic parameters determination in a biofilm airlift reactor by respirometry

The applicability of batch respirometry, as a simple technique for monitoring off-line nitrifying activity and kinetic parameters, was evaluated using two sets of ammonia and nitrite concentrations. The O₂ uptake rate (OUR) profiles obtained from the assays were adjusted to a substrate inhibition model. The maximum specific ammonia-oxidizing biomass activity (r_Smax) was 0.079 g N-NH₄ ⁺ g VSS^–1 d^–1 with a half saturation coefficient (K_S) of 11 mg N-NH₄ ⁺ l^–1 and an inhibition coefficient (K_i) of 3300 mg N-NH₄ ⁺ l^–1. Besides, the maximum specific value of nitrite-oxidizing activity was 0.082 g N-NO₂ ^– g VSS^–1 d^–1 with a K_S of 4.1 mg N-NO₂ ^– l^–1 and K_i of 1400 mg N-NO₂ ^– l^–1.     

Resting Stages of Skeletonema marinoi Assimilate Nitrogen From the Ambient Environment Under Dark,Anoxic Conditions

The planktonic marine diatom Skeletonema marinoi forms resting stages, which can survive for decades buried in aphotic, anoxic sediments and resume growth when re-exposed to light, oxygen, and nutrients. The mechanisms by which they maintain cell viability during dormancy are poorly known. Here, we investigated cell-specific nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) assimilation and survival rate in resting stages of three S. marinoi strains. Resting stages were incubated with stable isotopes of dissolved inorganic N (DIN), in the form of ¹⁵N-ammonium (NH₄⁺) or -nitrate (NO₃⁻) and dissolved inorganic C (DIC) as ¹³C-bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) under dark and anoxic conditions for 2 months. Particulate C and N concentration remained close to the Redfield ratio (6.6) during the experiment, indicating viable diatoms. However, survival varied between <0.1% and 47.6% among the three different S. marinoi strains, and overall survival was higher when NO₃⁻ was available. One strain did not survive in the NH₄⁺ treatment. Using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), we quantified assimilation of labeled DIC and DIN from the ambient environment within the resting stages. Dark fixation of DIC was insignificant across all strains. Significant assimilation of ¹⁵N-NO₃⁻ and ¹⁵N-NH₄⁺ occurred in all S. marinoi strains at rates that would double the nitrogenous biomass over 77–380 years depending on strain and treatment. Hence, resting stages of S. marinoi assimilate N from the ambient environment at slow rates during darkness and anoxia. This activity may explain their well-documented long survival and swift resumption of vegetative growth after dormancy in dark and anoxic sediments.     

天山林区不同类型群落土壤氮素对冻融过程的动态响应

季节性冻融过程对北方温带森林土壤氮素的转化与流失具有重要影响,但不同类型群落对冻融过程响应的差异尚不明确。通过在林地、草地、灌丛上设置系列监测样地,采用原位培养的方法,利用林冠遮挡形成的自然雪被厚度差异,监测分析了冻融期天山林区不同群落表层土壤(0—15 cm)的氮素动态及净氮矿化速率间的差异。结果表明:(1)不同类型群落土壤的铵态氮(NH+4-N)含量、微生物量氮(MBN)含量基本与土壤(5 cm)温度呈正相关,深冻期林地土壤铵态氮含量低于其他群落类型而硝态氮含量高于其他群落类型;(2)硝态氮(NO-3-N)为天山林区季节性冻融期间土壤矿质氮的主体,占比达78.4%。灌丛土壤硝态氮流失风险较大,融化末期较融化初期灌丛土壤硝态氮含量下降了64.6%;(3)冻融时期对整体氮素矿化速率影响显著,群落类型对氨化速率影响显著;(4)天山林区土壤氮素在冻结期主要以氮固持为主。通过揭示不同类型群落土壤氮素对冻融格局的响应,能够助益于对北方林区冬季土壤氮素循环的认识。