Impact of synthetic sheep urine on N and P in two pastures in the Scottish uplands

Synthetic sheep urine additions (59 g N m⁻²) were made to pastures on two soils, at Fasset, a semi-natural grassland, and Strathfinella, an improved pasture. Urine was applied to microplots in May and the soil, grass and soil solution analyzed 1, 2, 4, 5, 12 and 23 weeks after the addition. At Fasset, the grass was scorched by urine and the standing biomass decreased compared to the control, increasing only after 5 weeks. The absence of scorching at the Strathfinella site was attributed to a greater biomass of root mat to buffer the roots from exposure to NH₃and a greater rainfall immediately following treatment. Scorching reduced the uptake of N and it was not clear if the greater contents of NH₄ ⁺ and the increases in soil pH at Fasset compared with Strathfinella were the causes or symptoms of the scorch effect. Amounts of extractable organic N (DON) were similar in both soils and increased during the first 4 weeks and then decreased. Urine addition both increased and decreased DON at different times, but the overall mean values were unchanged. Urine application changed the distribution of P in the two soils, increasing the soil solution P at Fasset by 80 mg P m⁻² and raising the P content of herbage at Strathfinella by 600 mg P m⁻². In the soil solution, dissolved forms of molybdate reactive P, organic P and condensed P fractions were all increased by the urine addition. After 23 weeks, condensed P made the greatest contribution to soil solution P in both soils indicating that this fraction was the least available for plant uptake. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Comparison of initial wetting pattern,nutrient concentrations in soil solution and the fate of15N-labelled urine in sheep and cattle urine patch areas of pasture soil

Three field experiments were carried out to compare cattle and sheep urine patches in relation to (i) initial wetting pattern and volume of soil affected, (ii) soil solution ionic composition and (iii) the fate of¹⁵N-labelled urine in the soil over the winter period. The distribution of Br^– (used as a urine tracer) across the soil surface and down the profile was irregular in all the patches. The pasture area covered by Br^– in the sheep patches was 0.04–0.06 m² and Br^– was detected to a depth of 150 mm. Cattle patches were significantly larger covering a surface area of 0.38–0.42 m² and penetrating to a depth of 400 mm. The rapid downward movement of urine occurred through macropore flow but even so, over half of the applied Br^– was detected in the 0–50 mm soil layer in both sheep and cattle patches. Due to the larger volume of urine added to the cattle patches (2000 mL for cattle and 200 mL for sheep) the effective application rate was about 5 L m^–2 compared with 4 L m^–2 for sheep. Concentrations of extractable mineral N and ionic concentrations in soil solution were higher in cattle than sheep patches particularly near the soil surface. In both sheep and cattle patches, urea was rapidly hydrolysed to NH ₄ ⁺ and nitrification occurred between 14 and 29 days after urine application. Initially the major anions and cations in the soil solution were HCO ₃ ^– , SO ₄ ⁼ , Cl^–, NH ₄ ⁺ , Mg⁺⁺, K⁺ and Na⁺, which were derived from the urine application. Ionic concentrations in the soil solution decreased appreciably over time due to plant uptake and possibly some leaching. As nitrification proceeded, NO ₃ ^– became the dominant anion in soil solution and the major accompanying cation was Ca⁺⁺. The fate of¹⁵N-labelled urine-urea was followed during a 5 month period beginning in late autumn. Greater leaching losses of NO ₃ ^– occurred below cattle patches (equivalent to 60 kg N ha^–1 below 300 mm and 37 kg N ha^–1 below 600 mm) compared with sheep patches (10 kg N ha^–1 below 300 mm and 1 kg N ha^– below 600 mm). While 6% of the applied¹⁵N was leached the amount of N leached was equivalent to 11% of the applied urine-N in cattle patches. This suggests that there was significant immobilsation-mineralisation turnover in urine patch soil with the release of mineral N from native soil organic matter. In both sheep and cattle patches 60% of the¹⁵N was accounted for in plant uptake, remaining in the soil and leaching. About 40% of the applied N was therefore lost through gaseous emission.     

The influence of synthetic sheep urine on ammonia oxidizing bacterial communities in grassland soil

In grazed, grassland soils, sheep urine generates heterogeneity in ammonia concentrations, with potential impact on ammonia oxidizer community structure and soil N cycling. The influence of different levels of synthetic sheep urine on ammonia oxidizers was studied in grassland soil microcosms. 'Total' and active ammonia oxidizers were distinguished by comparing denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiles following PCR and RT-PCR amplification of 16S rRNA gene fragments, targeting DNA and RNA, respectively. The RNA-based approach indicated earlier, more reproducible and finer scale qualitative shifts in ammonia oxidizing communities than DNA-based analysis, but led to amplification of a small number of nonammonia oxidizer sequences. Qualitative changes in RNA-derived DGGE profiles were related to changes in nitrate accumulation. Sequence analysis of excised DGGE bands revealed that ammonia oxidizing communities in synthetic sheep urine-treated soils consisted mainly of Nitrosospira clusters 2, 3 and 4. Nitrosospira cluster 2 increased in relative abundance in microcosms treated with all levels of synthetic sheep urine. Low levels additionally led to increased relative abundance of Nitrosospira cluster 4 and medium and high levels increased relative abundance of cluster 3. Synthetic sheep urine is therefore likely to influence the spatial distribution and composition of ammonia oxidizer communities, with consequent effects on nitrate accumulation.     

C, N, P concentrations and requirements of flowering Posidonia oceanica

The carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus contents in flowering and nonflowering shoots were compared after an important flowering event occurred in the Posidonia meadow of the Bay of Calvi. The flower formation caused a significant increase of C and a significant decrease of N concentrations in intermediate and adult leaves. Minimum daily requirements in mgshoot^-1day^-1 of 3.4 and 4.8 of C, 0.09 and 0.09 N, 0.01 and 0.02 of P respectively for nonflowering and flowering shoots were calculated. It shows that additional quantities of C and P are required for the inflorescence elaboration. The unchanged quantity of N required by the shoot for the inflorescence elaboration and the significant modification of N concentration in intermediate and adult leaves suggests that N is limited in the environment and that an efficient resorption of N occurs from leaves to ensure the inflorescence formation.     

Dynamics of C,N, P and S in grassland soils: a model

We have developed a model to simulate the dynamics of C, N, P, and S in cultivated and uncultivated grassland soils. The model uses a monthly time step and can simulate the dynamics of soil organic matter over long time periods (100 to 10,000 years). It was used to simulate the impact of cultivation (100 years) on soil organic matter dynamics, nutrient mineralization, and plant production and to simulate soil formation during a 10,000 year run. The model was validated by comparing the simulated impact of cultivation on soil organic matter C, N, P, and S dynamics with observed data from sites in the northern Great Plains. The model correctly predicted that N and P are the primary limiting nutrients for plant production and simulated the response of the system to inorganic N, P, and S fertilizer. Simulation results indicate that controlling the C:P and C:S ratios of soil organic matter fractions as functions of the labile P and S levels respectively, allows the model to correctly simulate the observed changes in C:P and C:S ratios in the soil and to simulate the impact of varying the labile P and S levels on soil P and S net mineralization rates.     

Variability of C,N and P content of a tropical semiarid soil as affected by soil genesis,erosion and land clearing

Several transects of topsoil samples were taken immediately after land clearing and one year later from a savannah soil in the semiarid NE of Brazil. Natural spatial variability of key fertility indicators (C, N, P) was large with coefficients of variation >50%. This variability was related to heterogeneity of the soil parent material, and to relative slope position which affected deposition and removal of erodible materials. The distribution of gravel and different particle size fractions was an indicator of the variability as related to soil formation and erosional resorting. One year after the site was cleared and planted to trees, the decrease in C, N and resin-extractable P was in the same range as the initial spatial variability. Treatment effects were therefore difficult to observe but became more obvious when regression analysis on soil textural components was used to reduce data variability.     

Nutrient metabolism (C,N, P,and Si) in the trophogenic zone of a meromictic lake

The dynamics of seston and dissolved elements in a meromictic lake with high concentrations of manganese and iron in the monimolimnion were studied through an annual cycle. This publication presents results for assimilation, sedimentation and recovery of nutrients (C, N, P, and Si) in the trophogenic zone. Phosphorus deficiency kept the productivity of the diatom dominated phytoplankton at an oligotrophic level. High concentrations of iron in influent streams and redistribution followed by precipitation of iron during periods of partial turnover removed phosphorus from the water. High concentrations of manganese and sulfate did not have the anticipated fertilizing effect, and recovery of nutrients from the depth of the lake was negligible. Mass balance calculations indicate that liberation of phosphorus from the sediments in the trophogenic zone was most important for the maintenance of primary production. 75% of carbon, 80% of nitrogen and 25% of phosphorus assimilated by the phytoplankton was mineralized in the trophogenic zone. Silica was effectively regenerated from the littoral zone during the decline of diatom blooms. Nitrogen and silica retention was 45% of the external load compared to 66% for phosphorus.Dept. of Limnology University of Oslo     

Influence of synthetic sheep urine on the microbial biomass,activity and community structure in two pastures in the Scottish uplands

The impact of urine on the microbial biomass, activity and community structure was compared in the soil beneath two pastures in the Scottish uplands; Fasset, a natural Agrostis capillaris–Festuca ovina–Galium saxatile grassland and Strathfinella, a semi-natural grassland, improved with fertiliser addition. Community level physiological profiles (CLPP) were used to characterise the microbial communities. The utilisation of sugars, oligosaccharides, alcohols, carboxylic acids, long chain aliphatic acids, acidic, basic and neutral amino acids, amide N, phenolic acids and long chain aliphatic acids was used to compare the soils and the impact of synthetic urine addition. In the untreated soils, the utilisation of all the substrates decreased from the first week in May through to October. Averaged over all times and urine treatment, the potential utilisation of all substrates except for phenolic acids, long chain aliphatic acids and carboxylic acids was greater in the improved and more intensively grazed Strathfinella site. When averaged over all sample times, urine increased the utilisation of sugars, oligosaccharides, basic amino acids and amide N and the increases were greater in the unimproved, less intensively grazed, Fasset soil than that at Strathfinella. The effect of urine tended to be greatest during the period between 2 and 5 weeks after urine addition when utilisation of alcohols, acidic and neutral amino acids was also increased. Microbial biomass C in the control soils was 155.9 and 112.7 g C m⁻² at Fasset and Strathfinella, respectively. Values did not change significantly with time and were unchanged by the addition of urine. However, urine addition significantly increased basal respiration rates at Fasset and decreased them at Strathfinella. Urine also increased bacterial numbers in both soils, but had no consistent effect on fungi or yeasts. The significance of these findings for studies of soil microbial community structure and activity in grazed upland grasslands is discussed. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Shrub expansion stimulates soil C and N storage along a coastal soil chronosequence

Expansion of woody vegetation in grasslands is a worldwide phenomenon with implications for C and N cycling at local, regional and global scales. Although woody encroachment is often accompanied by increased annual net primary production (ANPP) and increased inputs of litter, mesic ecosystems may become sources for C after woody encroachment because stimulation of soil CO₂ efflux releases stored soil carbon. Our objective was to determine if young, sandy soils on a barrier island became a sink for C after encroachment of the nitrogen‐fixing shrub Morella cerifera, or if associated stimulation of soil CO₂ efflux mitigated increased litterfall. We monitored variations in litterfall in shrub thickets across a chronosequence of shrub expansion and compared those data to previous measurements of ANPP in adjacent grasslands. In the final year, we quantified standing litter C and N pools in shrub thickets and soil organic matter (SOM), soil organic carbon (SOC), soil total nitrogen (TN) and soil CO₂ efflux in shrub thickets and adjacent grasslands. Heavy litterfall resulted in a dense litter layer storing an average of 809 g C m^?2 and 36 g N m^?2. Although soil CO₂ efflux was stimulated by shrub encroachment in younger soils, soil CO₂ efflux did not vary between shrub thickets and grasslands in the oldest soils and increases in CO₂ efflux in shrub thickets did not offset contributions of increased litterfall to SOC. SOC was 3.6–9.8 times higher beneath shrub thickets than in grassland soils and soil TN was 2.5–7.7 times higher under shrub thickets. Accumulation rates of soil and litter C were highest in the youngest thicket at 101 g m^?2 yr^?1 and declined with increasing thicket age. Expansion of shrubs on barrier islands, which have low levels of soil carbon and high potential for ANPP, has the potential to significantly increase ecosystem C sequestration.     

Nitrate increases in soil water following conversion of chaparral to grass

An Arizona watershed converted from chaparral to grass, released high concentrations of nitrate to stream water. The nitrate originated from the rooting zone of the decomposing shrubs. High nitrate concentrations (44–373 ppm) were found in soil solutions from 1.5-, 3.0-, and 4.6-m depths on the converted watershed as compared with low nitrate concentrations (0.2–6.2 ppm) found in an adjacent undisturbed area. Soil solution nitrate concentrations at the 0.3-m depth were generally low, especially in the untreated area. High nitrate concentrations were balanced mainly by relative decreases in bicarbonate anions in the soil solutions and in the stream water. Multiple stepwise regression analyses showed improvement in the regression of bicarbonate on nitrate when chloride and sulfate anions were entered as variables.     

The effect of a single application of cow urine on annual N2 fixation under varying simulated grazing intensity, as measured by four 15N isotope techniques

The effects of dairy cow urine and defoliation severity on biological nitrogen fixation and pasture production of a mixed ryegrass-white clover sward were investigated over 12 months using mowing for defoliation. A single application of urine (equivalent to 746 kg N ha^–1), was applied in late spring to plots immediately after light and moderately-severe defoliation (35 mm and 85 mm cutting heights, respectively) treatments were imposed. Estimates of percentage clover N derived from N₂ fixation (%Ndfa) were compared by labelling the soil with ¹⁵N either by applying a low rate of ¹⁵N-labelled ammonium sulphate, immobilising ¹⁵N in soil organic matter, adding ¹⁵N to applied urine, or by utilising the small differences in natural abundance of ¹⁵N in soil. Urine application increased annual grass production by 85%, but had little effect on annual clover production. However, urine caused a marked decline in %Ndfa (using an average of all ¹⁵N methods) from 84% to a low of 22% by 108 days, with recovery to control levels taking almost a year. As a result, total N fixed (in above ground clover herbage) was reduced from 232 to 145 kg N ha^–1 yr^–1. Moderately–severe defoliation had no immediate effect on N₂ fixation, but after 108 days the %Ndfa was consistently higher than light defoliation during summer and autumn, and increased by up to 18%, coinciding with an increase in growth of weeds and summer-grass species. Annual N₂ fixation was 218 kg N ha^–1 yr^–1 under moderately-severe defoliation compared to 160 kg N ha^–1 yr^–1 under light defoliation. Estimates of %Ndfa were generally similar when ¹⁵N-labelled or immobilised ¹⁵N were used to label soil regardless of urine and defoliation severity. The natural abundance technique gave highly variable estimates of %Ndfa (–56 to 24%) during the first 23 days after urine application but, thereafter, estimates of %Ndfa were similar to those using ¹⁵N-labelling methods. In contrast, in urine treated plots the use of ¹⁵N-labelled urine gave estimates of %Ndfa that were 20–30% below values calculated using conventional ¹⁵N-labelling during the first 161 days. These differences were probably due to differences in the rooting depth between ryegrass and white clover in conjunction with treatment differences in ¹⁵N distribution with depth. This study shows that urine has a prolonged effect on reducing N₂ fixation in pasture. In addition, defoliation severity is a potential pasture management tool for strategically enhancing N₂ fixation.     

Decomposability of C3 and C4 grass litter sampled under different concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide at a natural CO2 spring

Elevated concentrations of atmospheric CO₂ can influence the relative proportions, biomass and chemical composition of plant species in an ecosystem and, thereby, the input of litter nutrients to soil. Plant growth under elevated CO₂ appears to have no consistent effect on rates of litter decomposition; decomposition can, however, differ in C3 and C4 plant material from the same CO₂ environment. We here describe the decomposability of leaf litter of two grass species – the C3 Holcus lanatus L. (Yorkshire fog) and C4 Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst. (kikuyu) - from an unfertilized, ungrazed grassland at a cold CO₂ spring in Northland, New Zealand. Decomposability was measured by net CO₂–C production from litter incubated for 56 days at 25 °C in a gley soil from the site; net mineral-N production from litter was also determined. Both litter and soils were sampled under `low' and `high' concentrations of atmospheric CO₂. Decomposition of H. lanatus litter was greater than that of P. clandestinum litter throughout the 56-day incubation. Decomposition tended to be greater in `high-CO<sub>2</sub>' than in `low-CO₂' H. lanatus litter, but lower in `high-CO<sub>2</sub>' than `low-CO₂' P. clandestinum litter; differences were, however, non-significant after 28 days. Overall, litter decomposition was greater in the `low-CO<sub>2</sub>' than `high-CO₂' soil. Differences in decomposition rates were related negatively to litter N concentrations and positively to C:N ratios, but were not predictable from lignin:total N ratios. Net mineral-N production from litter decomposition did not differ significantly in `high-CO<sub>2</sub>' and `low-CO₂' samples incubated in `low-CO<sub>2</sub>' soil; in `high-CO₂' soil some net immobilization was observed. Overall, results indicate the likely complexity of litter decomposition in the field but, nevertheless, strongly suggest that rates of decomposition will not necessarily decline in a `high-CO₂' environment.     

Leaching losses of inorganic N and DOC following repeated drying and wetting of a spruce forest soil

Forest soils are frequently subjected to dry–wet cycles, but little is known about the effects of repeated drying and wetting and wetting intensity on fluxes of , and DOC. Here, undisturbed soil columns consisting of organic horizons (O columns) and organic horizons plus mineral soil (O + M columns) from a mature Norway spruce stand at the Fichtelgebirge; Germany, were repeatedly desiccated and subsequently wetted by applying different amounts of water (8, 20 and 50 mm day⁻¹) during the initial wetting phase. The constantly moist controls were not desiccated and received 4 mm day⁻¹ during the entire wetting periods. Cumulative inorganic N fluxes of the control were 12.4 g N m⁻² (O columns) and 11.4 g N m⁻² (O + M columns) over 225 days. Repeated drying and wetting reduced cumulative and fluxes of the O columns by 47–60 and 76–85%, respectively. Increasing (0.6–1.1 g N m⁻²) and decreasing fluxes (7.6–9.6 g N m⁻²) indicate a reduction in net nitrification in the O + M columns. The negative effect of dry–wet cycles was attributed to reduced net N mineralisation during both the desiccation and wetting periods. The soils subjected to dry–wet cycles were considerably drier at the final wetting period, suggesting that hydrophobicity of soil organic matter may persist for weeks or even months. Based on results from this study and from the literature we hypothesise that N mineralisation is mostly constrained by hydrophobicity in spruce forests during the growing season. Wetting intensity did mostly not alter N and DOC concentrations and fluxes. Mean DOC concentrations increased by the treatment from 45 mg l⁻¹ to 61–77 mg l⁻¹ in the O tlsbba columns and from 12 mg l⁻¹ to 21–25 mg l⁻¹ in the O + M columns. Spectroscopic properties of DOC from the O columns markedly differed within each wetting period, pointing to enhanced release of rather easily decomposable substrates in the initial wetting phases and the release of more hardly decomposable substrates in the final wetting phases. Our results suggest a small additional DOC input from organic horizons to the mineral soil owing to drying and wetting.     

Temporal variations in some plant and soil P pools in two pasture soils of widely different P fertility status

Temporal variations in plant production, plant P and some soil P (and N) pools were followed over 21 months in two New Zealand pasture soils of widely different P fertility status. Plant growth rates, and herbage composition at the high-fertility site, were closely linked to soil water use, with growth rates falling when soil water deficits exceeded 60 mm. Herbage P concentrations reflected P fertility, and varied with season, being generally higher in winter and lower in summer. A similar temporal pattern was also observed for labile organic P (NaHCO₃-extractable P₀) in both soils. In the low-fertility soil in spring, net mineralization was especially strong, but from early winter net immobilization occurred. Surprisingly, Olsen P also changed temporally in the high-fertility soil. The microbial biomass remained fairly constant throughout the year, whereas the P content of the biomass varied seasonally. Although microbial biomass was not a useful index of soil fertility, highest microbial P₀ contents coincided with periods of maximum labile P₀ mineralization, when herbage production was also at a peak. Net N-mineralization in the low-fertility soil, in contrast to the high-fertility soil, was low but varied seasonally, under standardised incubation conditions. Soil P and N dynamics were apparently synchronised in the low-fertility soil through soil microbial processes, with mineral N being negatively correlated with microbial P₀ in samples collected two months later. The results of this investigation suggest that the demands of rapid and sustained pasture growth in spring and early summer can best be met by maximising the build-up of organic matter during the preceding autumn and winter. This practice could help to alleviate the common problem of feed shortage in North Island hill country pastures in late winter-early spring.     

Effects of soil freezing disturbance on soil solution nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon chemistry in a northern hardwood ecosystem

Reductions in snow cover undera warmer climate may cause soil freezing eventsto become more common in northern temperateecosystems. In this experiment, snow cover wasmanipulated to simulate the late development ofsnowpack and to induce soil freezing. Thismanipulation was used to examine the effects ofsoil freezing disturbance on soil solutionnitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and carbon (C)chemistry in four experimental stands (twosugar maple and two yellow birch) at theHubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF) in theWhite Mountains of New Hampshire. Soilfreezing enhanced soil solution Nconcentrations and transport from the forestfloor. Nitrate (NO₃ ^–) was thedominant N species mobilized in the forestfloor of sugar maple stands after soilfreezing, while ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) anddissolved organic nitrogen (DON) were thedominant forms of N leaching from the forestfloor of treated yellow birch stands. Rates ofN leaching at stands subjected to soil freezingranged from 490 to 4,600 mol ha^–1yr^–1, significant in comparison to wet Ndeposition (530 mol ha^–1 yr^–1) andstream NO₃ ^– export (25 mol ha^–1yr^–1) in this northern forest ecosystem. Soil solution fluxes of P_i from the forestfloor of sugar maple stands after soil freezingranged from 15 to 32 mol ha^–1 yr^–1;this elevated mobilization of P_i coincidedwith heightened NO₃ ^– leaching. Elevated leaching of P_i from the forestfloor was coupled with enhanced retention ofP_i in the mineral soil Bs horizon. Thequantities of P_i mobilized from the forestfloor were significant relative to theavailable P pool (22 mol ha^–1) as well asnet P mineralization rates in the forest floor(180 mol ha^–1 yr^–1). Increased fineroot mortality was likely an important sourceof mobile N and P_i from the forest floor,but other factors (decreased N and P uptake byroots and increased physical disruption of soilaggregates) may also have contributed to theenhanced leaching of nutrients. Microbialmortality did not contribute to the acceleratedN and P leaching after soil freezing. Resultssuggest that soil freezing events may increaserates of N and P loss, with potential effectson soil N and P availability, ecosystemproductivity, as well as surface wateracidification and eutrophication.     

Regulation of soil phosphatase and chitinase activityby N and P availability

Soil microorganisms and plants produce enzymes thatmineralize organically bound nutrients. When nutrientavailability is low, the biota may be able to increase production ofthese enzymes to enhance the supply of inorganicnitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Regulation of enzyme productionmay be a point where N and P cyclesinteract. We measured acid phosphatase and chitinase(N-acetyl ß-D-glucosaminide) activity in soilacross a chronosequence in Hawaii where N and Pavailability varies substantially among sites and longterm fertilizer plots had been maintained for over 4years.Phosphatase activity was high at all sites. Chitinaseactivity decreased significantly as age and Navailability increased across the chronosequence.Phosphorus addition suppressed phosphatase activity atall sites, while N addition increased phosphataseactivity at the young, N-limited site. In contrast,N addition repressed chitinase activity only at the Nlimited young site, and P additions had no effect onchitinase activity. These results suggest that theregulatory relationship between nutrient supply andnutrient mineralization are asymmetric for N and P,and that the differences could help to explaindifferences observed in patterns of N and Pavailability.     

Seasonal variation in N2O emissions from urine patches: Effects of urine concentration, soil compaction and dung

Urine patches in pastures rank among the highest sources of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N₂O) from animal production systems. Previous laboratory studies indicate that N₂O emissions for urine-N in pastures may increase with a factor five or eight in combination with soil compaction and dung, respectively. These combinations of urine, compaction and dung occur regularly in pastures, especially in so-called camping areas. The aims of this study were (i) to experimentally quantify the effect of compaction and dung on emission factors of N₂O from urine patches under field conditions; (ii) to detect any seasonal changes in emission from urine patches; and (iii) to quantify possible effects of urine concentration and -volume. A series of experiments on the effects of compaction, dung, urine-N concentration and urine volume was set up at a pasture on a sandy soil (typic Endoaquoll) in Wageningen, the Netherlands. Artificial urine was applied 8 times in the period August 2000–November 2001, and N₂O emissions were monitored for a minimum of 1 month after each application. The average emission factor for urine-only treatments was 1.55%. Over the whole period, only soil compaction had a clear significant effect, raising the average N₂O emissions from urine patches from 1.30% to 2.92% of the applied N. Dung had no consistent effect; although it increased the average emissions from 1.60% to 2.82%, this was clearly significant (P< 0.01) for only one application date and marginally significant (P=0.054) for the whole experiment. Both compaction and dung increased water-filled pore space (WFPS) of the topsoil for a more prolonged time than high urine volumes. No effect of amount of urine-N or urine volume on N₂O emissions relative to added N was detected for the whole experiment. There were clear differences between application dates, with highest emissions for urine-only treatments of 4.25% in October, 2000, and lowest of –0.11% in June, 2001. Emissions peaked at 60–70% WFPS, and decreased rapidly with both higher and lower WFPS. We conclude that compaction leads to a considerable increase in the N₂O emissions under field conditions, mainly through higher WFPS. Dung addition may have the same effect, although this was not consistent throughout our experiment. Seasonal variations seemed mainly driven by differences in WFPS. Based on this study, mitigation strategies should focus on minimizing the grazing period with wet conditions leading to WFPS > 50%, avoiding camping areas in pastures, and on avoiding grazing under moist soil conditions. Greenhouse gas budgets for grazing conditions should include the effects of soil compaction and dung to represent actual emissions.     

Effects of phytoplankton on the elemental composition (C,N, P) of suspended particulate material in the lower river Rhine

The spatial and temporal distribution of element concentrations were monitored together with chlorophyll a as an indicator of algal density to assess the effect of phytoplankton on the elemental composition (C, N, P) of suspended materials in the lower Rhine. The high concentrations of particulate C, N and P in the river were found to decrease in the delta and to increase again in the estuarine turbidity zone. Phytoplankton blooms increased the concentrations of particulate C, N, and P significantly in the upstream part of the river. In summer 1989, 15–65% of the particulate C and 20–75% of the particulate N were attributable to phytoplankton. Together with published data these observations indicate that in eutrophic rivers, the input of organic materials from the catchment is strongly modified and supplemented by in situ growth of phytoplankton. During seaward transport the phytoplankton and the particulate elements disappeared from the river water concomitantly with the suspended matter, indicating an increased retention of these elements due to sedimentation. In contrast, soluble ammonia, nitrite and phosphate increased in the tidal reaches of the river because of local input in the harbour and city of Rotterdam and because of mineralization. Therefore the total nutrient load of the Rhine estimated at the German/Dutch border does not reflect the actual input into the sea.     

Large losses of soil C and N from soil profiles under pasture in New Zealand during the past 20 years

The conversion of two‐thirds of New Zealand's native forests and grasslands to agriculture has followed trends in other developed nations, except that pastoral grazing rather than cropping dominates agriculture. The initial conversion of land to pasture decreased soil acidity and elevated N and P stocks, but caused little change in soil organic C stocks. However, less is known about C and nutrient stock changes during the last two decades under long‐term pastoral management. We resampled 31 whole soil profiles in pastures spanning seven soil orders with a latitudinal range of 36–46°S, which had originally been sampled 17–30 years ago. We measured total C, total N, and bulk density for each horizon (generally to 1 m) and also reanalyzed archived soil samples of the same horizons for C and N. On average, profiles had lost significant amounts of C (− 2.1 kg C m⁻²) and N (− 0.18 kg N m⁻²) since initial sampling. Assuming a continuous linear decline in organic matter between sampling dates, significant losses averaged 106 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹ (P=0.01) and 9.1 g N m⁻² yr⁻¹ (P=0.002). Removal of C through leaching and erosion appears too small to explain these losses, suggesting losses from respiration exceed the inputs of photosynthate in the soil profile. These results emphasize that resampling soil profiles provide a robust method for detecting soil C changes, and add credence to the suggestion that soil C losses may be occurring in some temperate soil profiles. Further work is required to determine whether these losses are continuing and how losses might be extrapolated across landscapes to determine the implications for New Zealand's national CO₂ emissions and the sustainability of the implied rates of soil N loss.