藏东南色季拉山沟壑区土壤氮素空间分布特征

以西藏东南部色季拉山海拔3950—4350 m为研究区,采用30×50 m网格采样法,以地统计学半变异函数为工具,研究了色季拉山森林生态系统沟谷与坡面上土壤氮素空间变异特征及模型。结果表明:土壤全氮、硝态氮和铵态氮含量均表现为0—10 cm10—20 cm,两个层次上空间变异性表现为全氮和铵态氮0—10 cm10—20 cm,而硝态氮表现为10—20 cm0—10cm;不同海拔高度土壤氮含量表现为随着海拔高度的升高而增加,但这种海拔梯度效应并未达显著水平(P0.05);沟谷区土壤氮含量高于坡面,这可能与植被残体在沟谷区的堆积分解促进氮循环有关;土壤全氮、铵态氮和硝态氮均具有中等程度的空间依赖性,其中土壤全氮空间变异符合指数模型,块金值/基台值为50%;土壤铵态氮和硝态氮含量空间变异分布均符合高斯模型,块金值/基台值分别为70.91%和37.45%;该区域土壤全氮、铵态氮和硝态氮含量空间依赖性表现为:硝态氮全氮铵态氮,即土壤硝态氮更易受到空间结构因素的影响,而铵态氮含量空间变化则主要受随机因素的影响。     

华北山地典型天然次生林土壤氮素空间异质性对落叶松幼苗更新的影响

在华北山地典型天然次生林中选择研究样地,应用地统计学理论和格局分析方法,定量分析林分土壤氮素空间异质性特征,探测更新幼苗空间格局特征;依据协同变异函数理论模型参数,定量估计土壤氮素营养空间异质性与落叶松更新格局之间的空间关联性,探讨土壤氮素空间变异对落叶松幼苗更新格局的影响程度.研究结果表明:(1)无论是以华北落叶松为优势树种的寒温性针叶林,还是以白桦和山杨为优势树种的山地阔叶林,不同空间样点间土壤氮素总量及速效态氮素均存在很大差异.阔叶林中,硝态氮在整个研究样地尺度(＞70.71m)上表现出很强的空间自相关性(结构因素所占比重为81.5%).针叶林中,硝态氮则在相对小的尺度范围(47.90m)呈现更明显的空间自相关变异.且阔叶林中土壤氮含量显著地高于针叶林.(2)华北落叶松苗更新空间分布格局呈明显的集聚分布.更新的空间格局变异主要由空间自相关因素引起(针叶林为77.4%,阔叶林为85.2%),随机变异占的比例较低(分别为22.6%和14.8%).(3)阔叶林土壤氮含量相对高,更新与氮素的空间关联性不明显,与全氮的协同变异呈随机性(R2=0.078).针叶林土壤氮含量相对低,更新与氮素的空间关联性明显,与全氮的协同变异呈现明显的空间自相关性,氮素空间异质性对更新格局与过程具有更重要的影响.整个研究样地水平上,硝态氮与更新的协同变异呈现明显的空间自相关性(空间结构比为59.4%～77.7%).NO-3-N含量较高或铵、硝态氮的比例较低的土壤环境中,更新苗发生数量较多.     

祁连山中段土壤有机碳和氮素的剖面分布

以祁连山中段地区主要土壤类型(棕钙土、灰褐土、栗钙土、高山草甸土)为对象,研究了不同土壤剖面上有机碳、全氮、铵态氮和硝态氮含量的分布规律.结果表明:在祁连山中段地区,随剖面深度增加,不同土壤类型的有机碳、全氮、铵态氮和硝态氮含量均逐渐降低,且其有机碳、氮素的累积和分解存在差异.其中,有机碳含量的全剖面平均值在14.01～41.17g·kg-1,大小顺序为灰褐土＞高山草甸土＞栗钙土＞棕钙土;全氮含量在1.28～2.73 g·kg-1,为高山草甸土＞灰褐土＞栗钙土＞棕钙土;铵态氮含量在5.80～8.40 mg·kg-1,为棕钙土＞高山草甸土＞栗钙土＞灰褐土;硝态氮含量在6.57～15.11 mg·kg-1,为栗钙土＞高山草甸土＞棕钙土＞灰褐土;土壤C/N在11.33～19.22,为灰褐土＞栗钙土＞高山草甸土＞棕钙土;硝铵比在1.00～2.69,为灰褐土＞栗钙土＞高山草甸土＞棕钙土.在不同的气候、植被和地形(坡位、坡向等)条件下,同一土壤类型的有机碳和氮素含量有很大差别.土壤有机碳、全氮和铵态氮含量之间存在极显著正相关,而这三者与硝态氮之间相关性不显著.土壤速效钾含量与铵态氮、硝态氮呈极显著正相关,速效磷含量与土壤有机碳、全氮和铵态氮呈极显著、显著正相关,而pH值、全钾、全磷含量与有机碳和氮素之间无明显相关性.     

华北落叶松林细根生物量对土壤水分、氮营养空间异质性改变的响应

在华北落叶松(Larix principis-rupprechtii)林选取采伐干扰样地和未采伐干扰样地进行对比研究, 分析采伐干扰造成林下土壤水分和氮营养空间异质性的改变对细根生物量空间变异的影响。采用空间格局分析的小支撑、多样点的设计原则, 对每个样点的土壤分3层取样(0-10 cm、10-20 cm、20-30 cm)。进行细根(≤1 mm和1-2 mm)生物量与土壤含水量、全氮、硝态氮、铵态氮和土壤pH的偏相关分析, 以及细根生物量变异函数值和土壤各因子变异函数值的线性回归分析。研究结果表明, 在不同样地, 细根生物量与土壤各因子均表现为正相关关系, 不同土层相关性强弱表现各异, 其中土壤含水量与细根生物量的相关性显著。受采伐干扰后, 细根生物量与土壤含水量、全氮、土壤硝态氮空间变异的关联性更趋于明显。多元线性回归分析结果表明, 采伐干扰样地细根生物量的空间变异更多地受到土壤多因子的综合影响, 而未采伐干扰样地的细根生物量受土壤水分、全氮和硝态氮单独效应的影响更大。     

枣粮间作养分利用与表观损失空间差异性

基于枣粮间作复合生态系统内部异质性,通过在系统内不同位置采样,分析了枣粮间作系统内间作作物产量、氮磷营养元素利用与表观损失方面的空间差异性,并对枣粮间作、枣树单作和农田3种生态系统进行了比较.结果表明:(1)枣粮间作系统内间作作物产量随着距枣树种植行距离的缩小而迅速降低,表现出明显的空间差异性.虽然与农田生态系统比较,间作小麦、玉米均表现减产,经济产量分别降低11.4%、39.9%,但整个枣粮间作系统提高了土地利用程度;(2)枣粮间作系统间作作物吸收氮磷量也呈现明显空间差异性,且与间作作物生物量有极显著相关性.3种生态系统相比,吸氮量为枣粮间作>枣树单作>农田;吸磷量为农田>枣粮间作>枣树单作;(3)枣粮间作系统内氮磷表观损失量有明显的空间差异性,距枣树种植行0.25m处表观损失量显著高于其它位置表观损失量,在距枣树种植行6.5m到2m范围内,随着与枣树种植行的接近,氮磷表观损失量有所降低.3种生态系统相比,氮、磷表观损失量均为枣树单作>农田>枣粮间作.     

间作对马铃薯种植土壤硝化作用和硝态氮供应的影响

土壤硝态氮供应对满足作物氮素需求至关重要,但间作如何影响土壤硝态氮供应及其作用机制尚不清楚。本研究基于4个氮水平(N₀, 0 kg·hm^-2; N₁, 62.5 kg·hm^-2; N₂, 125 kg·hm^-2; N₃, 187.5 kg·hm^-2)的马铃薯单作、马铃薯与玉米间作小区试验,分析土壤硝态氮含量与强度、硝化势和氨氧化功能基因丰度的差异,探讨间作影响土壤硝态氮供应和氮调控的机理。结果表明: 土壤硝态氮含量和强度随施氮量增加而升高,但同一施氮水平下间作均低于单作。施氮提高了土壤硝化势,且单作的响应高于间作。土壤中氨氧化细菌(AOB)的amoA基因丰度大于氨氧化古菌(AOA),二者在间作时均随施氮量增加呈现先增加后降低的趋势;相同施氮量下,间作的AOA和AOB基因丰度(除N₂外)均低于单作。相关分析、回归分析和主成分分析显示,马铃薯间作后,土壤AOB、AOA的amoA基因丰度下降,硝化势减弱,导致土壤硝态氮含量和强度降低。因此,间作导致土壤硝态氮供应降低与土壤氮转化的微生物过程有关,间作条件下的马铃薯种植应注意保障土壤氮素供应。     

盐渍区农田氮肥施用量对土壤硝态氮动态变化的影响

土壤硝态氮动态变化和残留与农田硝态氮淋溶以及地下水硝态氮污染密切相关。为了促进海河低平原盐渍区农田氮肥合理利用以及农业可持续发展,试验在盐化潮土条件下,通过设计不同施氮量（0,70,140,210kg N hm^-2）处理,重点研究了该区农田氮肥施用量对土壤硝态氮动态、残留以及土壤氮损失的影响。结果表明：（1）0～100cm土壤剖面硝态氮总量随施氮量显著增加,施用氮肥没有改变剖面硝态氮总量随玉米生育进程波状变化趋势,但明显增强了其变化幅度;（2）施氮改变了硝态氮土壤剖面空间分布状态,表现出施氮后上部土层（0～40cm）硝态氮比例显著增加而后迅速降低的趋势;（3）硝态氮残留与氮素损失随施氮量增加而增加,且N210和N140处理下氮素损失量显著高于N70和N0。     

氮素形态对小白菜生长和碳氮积累的影响

水培条件下,研究不同氮素形态(硝态氮、铵态氮、甘氨酸、谷氨酰胺、丙氨酸、牛血清蛋白,以及甘氨酸与硝态氮、牛血清蛋白与硝态氮的混合氮源)对小白菜生长和碳氮积累的影响.结果表明:不同氮素形态对小白菜质量、碳氮积累量、可溶性蛋白质含量、可溶性糖含量和游离氨基酸含量的影响不同;硝态氮处理下小白菜地上部分和根的干质量与鲜质量均最大;甘氨酸对小白菜根系的生长及碳氮积累具有明显的促进作用;在3种氨基酸中,谷氨酰胺更有利于小白菜地上部分的生长和氮积累.聚类分析表明,9种氮素形态处理按营养效应大小分为:硝态氮、谷氨酰胺＞甘氨酸与硝态氮混合氮源、牛血清蛋白与硝态氮混合氮源、甘氨酸、铵态氮＞丙氨酸、牛血清蛋白、对照.有机氮源可以作为小白菜生长的氮源,不同的氮素形态对植物产生的生理效应不同.     

不同管理方式下橡胶林土壤氮动态特征

对西双版纳割胶、未割胶条件下橡胶林种植带土壤及其保护带土壤氮素动态变化特征进行了研究,并比较了不同保护带种植方式(距瓣豆绿肥覆盖与野生杂草覆盖)对土壤氮素动态的影响。结果表明,橡胶林种植带土壤全氮、碱解氮和硝态氮含量低于保护带。橡胶林土壤全氮、碱解氮、铵态氮、硝态氮均呈现明显的动态变化,种植距瓣豆绿肥覆盖与野生杂草生长覆盖的橡胶林土壤氮变化趋势一致。土壤全氮随时间逐渐下降,碱解氮含量先升后降,铵态氮和硝态氮含量变化幅度较大。橡胶林土壤全氮和碱解氮含量呈现表层(0～20cm)>中层(20～40cm)>底层(40～60cm)的趋势,且未割胶处理全氮和碱解氮含量>割胶处理,而保护带为距瓣豆绿肥覆盖的割胶橡胶林>杂草生长覆盖的橡胶林。距瓣豆绿肥覆盖的保护带土壤硝态氮含量高于杂草生长覆盖。碱解氮与铵态氮含量呈显著的负相关、与硝态氮呈显著正相关。割胶橡胶林土壤氮养分含量最低。橡胶林土壤种植豆科距瓣豆绿肥能够改善土壤氮素肥力。     

冬小麦生育期农田尺度下土壤硝态氮淋失动态的数值模拟

在北京通州区永乐店田间试验的基础上 ,假设土壤由一系列不发生相互作用的一维土柱组成 ,根据实测的土壤有机质含量 ,假定土壤有机氮的矿化作用速率常数 (零级动力学 )和有机质含量成正比 ,运用 HYDRUS- 1D软件 ,分别就考虑和不考虑土壤有机氮的矿化速率的空间变异性这两种方案 ,对 2 0 0 0～ 2 0 0 1年冬小麦生长条件下农田尺度土壤氮素转化和硝态氮淋失规律进行了数值分析。两种方案的模拟结果表明 :考虑和不考虑土壤有机氮矿化速率的空间变异性对剖面 2 5 0 cm埋深处硝态氮淋失量的影响很小 ,其差异主要在于前者对土壤氮素的矿化量、固持及反硝化量、作物吸氮量的影响更大 ,其空间变异性高于不考虑矿化速率时的结果。剖面 2 5 0 cm埋深处平均的土壤水渗透量和累积硝态氮淋失量分别为 2 .2 5 mm、0 .0 0 984 m g/cm2 ,变异系数大于 1.4 6 ,属于强变异性。对模拟结果进行地统计学分析 ,结果表明 :剖面 2 5 0 cm埋深处的土壤水渗透量和硝态氮淋失量的半方差函数为纯块金形式 ,在空间上表现为相互独立。考虑有机氮矿化速率空间变异性时的土壤氮素净转化量、吸氮量均可用球状模型描述 ,其变程与土壤有机质含量的变程接近 ,约为 4 .7m;而不考虑有机氮矿化速率空间变异性时的土壤氮素净转化量用线性无基台值     

The nitrogen status of Austrian forest ecosystems as influenced by atmospheric deposition,biomass harvesting and lateral organomass exchange

Measurements of the deposition rates of atmospheric trace constituents to forest ecosystems in Austria have shown that the deposition of plant utilizable nitrogen compounds is in the range from 12 kg N to more than 30 kg N ha^-1 a^-1. Locally, even higher deposition rates are encountered as a consequence of point sources or special deposition mechanisms such as fog interception, hoar frost formation, and accumulation in snow drifts. In order to place these values into perspective, they are compared with the nitrogen demand of past and present forest land use and with natural processes of nitrogen depletion and accumulation in forest ecosystems. During wind erosion of forest litter, woody material with a wide C/N-ratio remains on the windward side of ridges, while nutrient-rich material with a narrow C/N-ratio is deposited on the leeward side. As a result, total nitrogen storage in the forest soil as well as overall C/N-ratios change dramatically along a transect over a ridge, thus indicating a strong influence of litter C/N ratio on nitrogen retention in the forest soil. A study of nitrogen stores in the soil of beech ecosystems of the same yield class in the Vienna Woods showed a significant correlation of total N-content with base saturation. These results suggest that nitrogen storage capacity of forest soils may be managed by liming and tree species selection. As knowledge is still meagre, a special study on factors which determine nitrogen storage in forest soils is proposed within the FERN-programme.     

Nitrogen yields from undisturbed watersheds in the Americas

Yields of total fixed nitrogen and nitrogen fractions are summarized for thirty-one watersheds in which anthropogenic disturbance of the nitrogen cycle, either through land use or atmospheric deposition, is negligible or slight. These yields are taken as representative of background conditions over a broad range of watershed areas, elevations, and vegetation types. The data set focuses on watersheds of the American tropics, but also includes information on the Gambia River (Africa) and some small watersheds in the Sierra Nevada of California. For the tropical watersheds, total nitrogen yield averages 5.1 kg ha^–1 y^–1. On average, 30% of the total is particulate and 70% is dissolved. Of the dissolved fraction, an average of 50% is organic and 50% is inorganic, of which 20% is ammonium and 80% is nitrate. Yields are substantially lower than previously estimated for background conditions. Yields of all nitrogen fractions are strongly related to runoff, which also explains a large percentage of variance in yield of total nitrogen (r²=0.85). For total nitrogen and nitrogen fractions, yield increases at about two-thirds the rate of runoff; concentration decreases as runoff increases. There is a secondary but significant positive relationship between elevation and yield of DIN. Ratios DON/TDN and PN/TN both are related to watershed area rather than runoff; DON/TDN decreases and PN/TN increases toward higher stream orders. The analysis suggests for tropical watersheds the existence of mechanisms promoting strong homeostasis in the yield of N and its fractions for a given moisture regime, as well as predictable downstream change in proportionate representation N fractions. Yields and concentrations for small tropical watersheds are much larger than for the few temperate ones with which comparisons are possible.     

Time course of N2 fixation in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted to assess the nitrogen fixation rates of four cultivars of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) at different growth stages. The ¹⁵N isotope dilution technique was used to quantify biological nitrogen fixation. In the greenhouse, cultivars M4403 and Kallmet accumulated 301 and 189 mg N plant^–1, respectively, up to 63 days after planting (DAP) of which 57 and 43% was derived from atmosphere. Under field conditions, cultivars Bayocel and Flor de Mayo RMC accumulated in 77 DAP, 147 and 135 kg N ha^–1, respectively, of which approximately one-half was derived from the atmosphere. The rates of N₂ fixation determined at different growth stages increased as the plants developed, and reached a maximum during the reproductive stage both under field and greenhouse conditions. Differences in translocation of N were observed between the cultivars tested, particularly under field conditions. Thus, the fixed N harvest index was 93 and 60 for cultivars Flor de Mayo and Bayocel, respectively. In early stages of growth, the total content of ureides in the plants correlated with the N fixation rates. The findings reported in the present paper can be used to build a strategy for enhancing biological N₂ fixation in common bean.     

嫁接与施氮对甜瓜产量和氮素吸收、利用的影响

通过裂区设计田间试验,主区为2种栽培方式(嫁接栽培和自根栽培),副区为4个施氮水平(0、120、240、360 kg N·hm^-2),研究了栽培方式和施氮量对甜瓜产量和品质、氮素运移和分配,以及氮素利用率的影响.结果表明: 嫁接栽培的甜瓜商品瓜产量较自根甜瓜提高了7.3%,可溶性固形物含量降低了0.16%～3.28%;生长前期嫁接栽培甜瓜氮素累积量较自根栽培低,结果后嫁接栽培氮素累积量显著升高,收获时植株氮素累积量较自根栽培增加了5.2%,果实中的氮素累积量提高了10.3%;嫁接栽培植株氮素向果实的转移量较自根栽培提高了20.9%,嫁接栽培果实中的氮素分配率在80%以上,自根栽培的分配率在80%以下;在同一施氮水平下,嫁接栽培的甜瓜氮素吸收利用率较自根栽培提高了1.3%～4.2%,氮素农学效率提高了2.73～5.56 kg·kg^-1,氮素生理利用率提高了7.39～16.18 kg·kg^-1;从商品瓜产量、氮素吸收量和氮素利用率综合考虑,施氮量240 kg·hm^-2为本区域嫁接甜瓜较适宜的氮素用量.     

Nitrogen outputs from fecal and urine deposition of small mammals: implications for nitrogen cycling

The contribution of small mammals to nitrogen cycling could have repercussions for the producer community in the maintaining or perhaps magnifying of nitrogen availability. Our objective was to model nitrogen outputs (deposition of feces and urine) of small mammals in an old-field ecosystem and estimate the amount of fecal and urinary nitrogen deposited annually. To address this objective, we used models from laboratory studies and combined these with data from field studies to estimate dietary nitrogen and monthly and annual nitrogen outputs from fecal and urine deposition of five rodent species. The models accounted for monthly fluctuations in density and biomass of small-mammal populations. We estimated that the minimal amount of nitrogen deposited by rodents was 1.0 (0.9–1.1) and 2.7 (2.6–2.9) kg Nha⁻¹ year⁻¹ from feces and urine, respectively, for a total contribution of 3.7 (3.5–4.0) kg Nha⁻¹ year⁻¹. Hispid cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) accounted for >75% of the total nitrogen output by small mammals. Our estimates of annual fecal and urinary nitrogen deposited by rodents were comparable to nitrogen deposits by larger herbivores and other nitrogen fluxes in grassland ecosystems and should be considered when assessing the potential effects of herbivory on terrestrial nitrogen cycles.     

Yield of nitrogen from minimally disturbed watersheds of the United States

Watersheds of the US Geological Survey's Hydrologic Benchmark Network program were used in estimating annual yield of total nitrogen and nitrogen fractions (ammonium, nitrate, dissolved organic N, particulate N) in relation to amount of runoff, elevation, and watershed area. Only watersheds minimally disturbed with respect to the nitrogen cycle were used in the analysis (mostly natural vegetation cover, no point sources of N, atmospheric deposition of inorganic N < 10 kg ha^–1 y^–1). Statistical analysis of the yields of total nitrogen and nitrogen fractions showed that elevation and watershed area bear no significant relationship to nitrogen yield for these watersheds. The yields of total nitrogen and nitrogen fractions are, however, strongly related to runoff (r ² = 0.91 for total N). Annual yield increases as runoff increases, but at a rate lower than runoff; annual discharge-weighted mean concentrations decline as annual runoff increases. Yields of total nitrogen and most nitrogen fractions bear a relationship to runoff that is nearly indistinguishable from a relationship that was documented previously for minimally disturbed watersheds of the American tropics. Overall, the results suggest strong interlatitudinal convergence of yields and percent fractionation for nitrogen in relation to runoff.     

The impact of humans on the nitrogen cycle,with focus on temperate arable agriculture

The 6 billion people alive today consume about 25 million tonnes of protein nitrogen each year, a requirement that could well increase to 40–45 million tonnes by 2050. Most of them ultimately depend on the Haber-Bosch process to fix the atmospheric N₂ needed to grow at least part of their protein and, over the earth as a whole, this dependency is likely to increase. Humans now fix some 160 million tonnes of nitrogen per year, of which 98 are fixed industrially by the Haber-Bosch process (83 for use as agricultural fertilizer, 15 for industry), 22 during combustion and the rest is fixed during the cultivation of leguminous crops and fodders. These 160 million tonnes have markedly increased the burden of combined nitrogen entering rivers, lakes and shallow seas, as well as increasing the input of NH₃, N₂O, NO and NO₂ to the atmosphere. Nitrogen fertilizers give large economic gains in modern farming systems and under favourable conditions can be used very efficiently. Losses of nitrogen occur from all systems of agriculture, with organic manures being particularly difficult to use efficiently. Although nitrate leaching has received much attention as an economic loss, a cause of eutrophication and a health hazard, gaseous emissions may eventually prove to be the most serious environmentally. Scientists working on the use and fate of nitrogen fertilizers must be careful, clear headed and vigilant in looking for unexpected side effects.     

Nitrogen inputs to a marine embayment: the importance of groundwater

We examined the importance of nitrogen inputs from groundwater and runoff in a small coastal marine cove on Cape Cod, MA, USA. We evaluated groundwater inputs by three different methods: a water budget, assuming discharge equals recharge; direct measurements of discharge using bell jars; and a budget of water and salt at the mouth of the Cove over several tidal cycles. The lowest estimates were obtained by using a water budget and the highest estimates were obtained using a budget of water and salt at the Cove mouth. Overall there was more than a five fold difference in the freshwater inputs calculated by using these methods. Nitrogen in groundwater appears to be largely derived from on site septic systems. Average nitrate concentrations were highest in the region where building density was greatest. Nitrate in groundwater appeared to behave conservatively in sandy sediments where groundwater flow rates were high (> 11/m²/h), indicating that denitrification was not substantially reducing external nitrogen loading to the Cove. Nitrogen inputs from groundwater were approximately 300 mmol-N/m³/y of Cove water. Road runoff contributed an additional 60 mmol/m³/y. Total nitrogen inputs from groundwater and road runoff to this cove were similar in magnitude to river dominated estuaries in urbanized areas in the United States.     

Available soil nitrogen in relation to fractions of soil nitrogen and other soil properties

The available N of 27 soils from England and Wales was assessed from the amounts of N taken up over a 6-month period by perennial ryegrass grown in pots under uniform environmental conditions. Relationships between availability and the distribution of soil N amongst various fractions were then examined using multiple regression. The relationship: available soil N (mg kg^–1 dry soil)=(N_min×0.672)+(N_inc×0.840)+(N_mom×0.227)–5.12 was found to account for 91% of the variance in available soil N, where N_min=mineral N, N_inc=N mineralized on incubation and N_mom=N in macro-organic matter. The N mineralized on incubation appeared to be derived largely from sources other than the macro-organic matter because these two fractions were poorly correlated. When availability was expressed in terms of available organic N as % of soil organic N (N_ao) the closest relationship with other soil characteristics was: N_ao=[N_inc×(1.395–0.0347×CN_mom]+[N_mom×0.1416], where CN_mom=CN ratio of the macro-organic matter. This relationship accounted for 81% of the variance in the availability of the soil organic N.The conclusion that the macro-organic matter may contribute substantially to the available N was confirmed by a subsidiary experiment in which the macro-organic fraction was separated from about 20 kg of a grassland soil. The uptake of N by ryegrass was then assessed on two subsamples of this soil, one without the macro-organic matter and the other with this fraction returned: uptake was appreciably increased by the macro-organic matter.     

The cycling of organic nitrogen through the atmosphere

Atmospheric organic nitrogen (ON) appears to be a ubiquitous but poorly understood component of the atmospheric nitrogen deposition flux. Here, we focus on the ON components that dominate deposition and do not consider reactive atmospheric gases containing ON such as peroxyacyl nitrates that are important in atmospheric nitrogen transport, but are probably not particularly important in deposition. We first review the approaches to the analysis and characterization of atmospheric ON. We then briefly summarize the available data on the concentrations of ON in both aerosols and rainwater from around the world, and the limited information available on its chemical characterization. This evidence clearly shows that atmospheric aerosol and rainwater ON is a complex mixture of material from multiple sources. This synthesis of available information is then used to try and identify some of the important sources of this material, in particular, if it is of predominantly natural or anthropogenic origin. Finally, we suggest that the flux of ON is about 25 per cent of the total nitrogen deposition flux.