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Margalef-Marti R, Thibault De Chanvalon A, Anschutz P, Amouroux D, Sebilo M. Synergies of chemodenitrification and denitrification in a saline inland lake. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 359:142292. [PMID: 38729442 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
The interconnection between biotic and abiotic pathways involving the nitrogen and iron biogeochemical cycles has recently gained interest. While lacustrine ecosystems are considered prone to the biotic nitrate reduction (denitrification), their potential for promoting the abiotic nitrite reduction (chemodenitrification) remains unclear. In the present study, batch incubations were performed to assess the potential for chemodenitrification and denitrification in the saline inland lake Gallocanta. Sulfidic conditions are found in top sediments of the system while below (5-9 cm), it presents low organic carbon and high sulfate and ferrous iron availability. Anoxic incubations of sediment (5-9 cm) and water from the lake with nitrite revealed potential for chemodenitrification, especially when external ferrous iron was added. The obtained isotopic fractionation values for nitrite (ɛ15NNO2) were -6.8 and -12.3 ‰ and therefore, fell in the range of those previously reported for the nitrite reduction. The more pronounced ɛ15NNO2 (-12.3 ‰) measured in the experiment containing additional ferrous iron was attributed to a higher contribution of the chemodenitrification over biotic denitrification. Incubations containing nitrate also confirmed the potential for denitrification under autotrophic conditions (low organic carbon, high ferrous iron). Higher reaction rate constants were found in the experiment containing 100 μM compared to 400 μM nitrate. The obtained ɛ15NNO3 values (-8.5 and -15.1 ‰) during nitrate consumption fell in the range of those expected for the denitrification. A more pronounced ɛ15NNO3 (-15.1 ‰) was determined in the experiment presenting a lower reaction rate constant (400 μM nitrate). Therefore, in Gallocanta lake, nitrite generated during nitrate reduction can be further reduced by both the abiotic and biotic pathways. These findings establish the significance of chemodenitrification in lacustrine systems and support further exploration in aquatic environments with different levels of C, N, S, and Fe. This might be especially useful in predicting nitrous oxide emissions in natural ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna Margalef-Marti
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux (IPREM), Pau, France; Grup MAiMA, MAGH, Departament de Mineralogia, Petrologia i Geologia Aplicada, Facultat de Ciències de La Terra, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Aubin Thibault De Chanvalon
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux (IPREM), Pau, France
| | - Pierre Anschutz
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600, Pessac, France
| | - David Amouroux
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux (IPREM), Pau, France
| | - Mathieu Sebilo
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux (IPREM), Pau, France; Sorbonne Université, CNRS, IEES, Paris, France
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Lv S, Zheng F, Wang Z, Hayat K, Veiga MC, Kennes C, Chen J. Unveiling novel pathways and key contributors in the nitrogen cycle: Validation of enrichment and taxonomic characterization of oxygenic denitrifying microorganisms in environmental samples. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168339. [PMID: 37931816 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Microorganisms play a crucial role in both the nitrogen cycle and greenhouse gas emissions. A recent discovery has unveiled a new denitrification pathway called oxygenic denitrification, entailing the enzymatic reduction of nitrite to nitric oxide (NO) by a putative nitric oxide dismutase (nod) enzyme. In this study, the presence of the nod gene was detected and subsequently enriched in anaerobic-activated sludge, farmland soil, and paddy soil samples. After 150 days, the enriched samples exhibited significant denitrification, and concomitant oxygen production. The removal efficiency of nitrite ranged from 64.6 % to 79.0 %, while the oxygen production rate was between 15.4 μL/min and 18.6 μL/min when exposed to a sole nitrogen source of 80 mg/L sodium nitrite. Additionally, batch experiments and kinetic analyses revealed the intricate pathways and underlying mechanisms governing the oxygenic denitrification reaction by using CARBOXY-PTIO, 18O-labelled water, and acetylene to unravel the intricacies of the reaction. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) results indicated a significant surge in the abundance of nod genes, escalating from 7.59 to 10.12-fold. Moreover, analysis of 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) amplicons revealed Proteobacteria as the dominant phylum and Thauera as the main genus, with the presumed affiliation. In this study, a new nitrogen conversion pathway, oxygenic denitrification, was discovered in environmental samples. This process provides the possibility for the control of nitrous oxide in the treatment of nitrogenous wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sini Lv
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Fengzhen Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Interdisciplinary Research Academy, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou 310015, China
| | - Zeyu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Interdisciplinary Research Academy, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou 310015, China
| | - Kashif Hayat
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Interdisciplinary Research Academy, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou 310015, China
| | - María C Veiga
- Chemical Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Interdisciplinary Centre of Chemistry and Biology - Centro Interdisciplinar de Química y Biología (CICA), BIOENGIN group, University of La Coruña (UDC), E-15008 La Coruña, Spain
| | - Christian Kennes
- Chemical Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Interdisciplinary Centre of Chemistry and Biology - Centro Interdisciplinar de Química y Biología (CICA), BIOENGIN group, University of La Coruña (UDC), E-15008 La Coruña, Spain
| | - Jun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Interdisciplinary Research Academy, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou 310015, China.
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Wu Y, Ju H, Jiang H, Zhang G, Qi P, Li Z. Identifying nitrate sources and transformations in an agricultural watershed in Northeast China: Insights from multiple isotopes. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 340:118023. [PMID: 37120999 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Accurate identification of riverine nitrate sources is required for preventing and controlling nitrogen contamination in agricultural watersheds. The water chemistry and multiple stable isotopes (δ15N-NO3, δ18O-NO3, δ2H-H2O, and δ18O-H2O) of the river water and groundwater in an agricultural watershed in China's northeast black soil region were analyzed to better understand the sources and transformations of riverine nitrogen. Results showed that nitrate is an important pollutant that affects water quality in this watershed. Affected by factors such as seasonal rainfall changes and spatial differences in land use, the nitrate concentrations in the river water showed obvious temporal and spatial variations. The riverine nitrate concentration was higher in the wet season than in the dry season, and higher downstream than upstream. The water chemistry and dual nitrate isotopes revealed that riverine nitrate came primarily from manure and sewage (M&S). Results from the SIAR model showed that it accounted for more than 40% of riverine nitrate in the dry season. The proportional contribution of M&S decreased during the wet season due to the increased contribution of chemical fertilizers and soil nitrogen induced by large amounts of rainfall. The δ2H-H2O and δ18O-H2O signatures implied that interactions occurred between the river water and groundwater. Considering the large accumulation of nitrates in the groundwater, restoring groundwater nitrate levels is essential for controlling riverine nitrate pollution. As a systematic study on the sources, migration, and transformations of nitrate/nitrogen in agricultural watersheds in black soil regions, this research can provide a scientific support for nitrate pollution management in the Xinlicheng Reservoir watershed and provide a reference for other watersheds in black soil regions in the world with similar conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Wu
- Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130102, China
| | - Hanyu Ju
- Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130102, China
| | - Hao Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Guangxin Zhang
- Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130102, China.
| | - Peng Qi
- Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130102, China.
| | - Zan Li
- Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130102, China
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Karlowsky S, Buchen-Tschiskale C, Odasso L, Schwarz D, Well R. Sources of nitrous oxide emissions from hydroponic tomato cultivation: Evidence from stable isotope analyses. Front Microbiol 2023; 13:1080847. [PMID: 36687587 PMCID: PMC9845576 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1080847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hydroponic vegetable cultivation is characterized by high intensity and frequent nitrogen fertilizer application, which is related to greenhouse gas emissions, especially in the form of nitrous oxide (N2O). So far, there is little knowledge about the sources of N2O emissions from hydroponic systems, with the few studies indicating that denitrification could play a major role. Methods Here, we use evidence from an experiment with tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) grown in a hydroponic greenhouse setup to further shed light into the process of N2O production based on the N2O isotopocule method and the 15N tracing approach. Gas samples from the headspace of rock wool substrate were collected prior to and after 15N labeling at two occasions using the closed chamber method and analyzed by gas chromatography and stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Results The isotopocule analyses revealed that either heterotrophic bacterial denitrification (bD) or nitrifier denitrification (nD) was the major source of N2O emissions, when a typical nutrient solution with a low ammonium concentration (1-6 mg L-1) was applied. Furthermore, the isotopic shift in 15N site preference and in δ18O values indicated that approximately 80-90% of the N2O produced were already reduced to N2 by denitrifiers inside the rock wool substrate. Despite higher concentrations of ammonium present during the 15N labeling (30-60 mg L-1), results from the 15N tracing approach showed that N2O mainly originated from bD. Both, 15N label supplied in the form of ammonium and 15N label supplied in the form of nitrate, increased the 15N enrichment of N2O. This pointed to the contribution of other processes than bD. Nitrification activity was indicated by the conversion of small amounts of 15N-labeled ammonium into nitrate. Discussion/Conclusion Comparing the results from N2O isotopocule analyses and the 15N tracing approach, likely a combination of bD, nD, and coupled nitrification and denitrification (cND) was responsible for the vast part of N2O emissions observed in this study. Overall, our findings help to better understand the processes underlying N2O and N2 emissions from hydroponic tomato cultivation, and thereby facilitate the development of targeted N2O mitigation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Karlowsky
- Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ) e.V., Großbeeren, Germany,*Correspondence: Stefan Karlowsky, ✉
| | - Caroline Buchen-Tschiskale
- Thünen Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Luca Odasso
- Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ) e.V., Großbeeren, Germany
| | - Dietmar Schwarz
- Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ) e.V., Großbeeren, Germany,Operation Mercy, Amman, Jordan
| | - Reinhard Well
- Thünen Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries, Braunschweig, Germany
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Su X, Yang L, Yang K, Tang Y, Wen T, Wang Y, Rillig MC, Rohe L, Pan J, Li H, Zhu YG. Estuarine plastisphere as an overlooked source of N2O production. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3884. [PMID: 35794126 PMCID: PMC9259610 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31584-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
“Plastisphere”, microbial communities colonizing plastic debris, has sparked global concern for marine ecosystems. Microbiome inhabiting this novel human-made niche has been increasingly characterized; however, whether the plastisphere holds crucial roles in biogeochemical cycling remains largely unknown. Here we evaluate the potential of plastisphere in biotic and abiotic denitrification and nitrous oxide (N2O) production in estuaries. Biofilm formation provides anoxic conditions favoring denitrifiers. Comparing with surrounding bulk water, plastisphere exhibits a higher denitrifying activity and N2O production, suggesting an overlooked N2O source. Regardless of plastisphere and bulk water, bacterial and fungal denitrifications are the main regulators for N2O production instead of chemodenitrification. However, the contributions of bacteria and fungi in the plastisphere are different from those in bulk water, indicating a distinct N2O production pattern in the plastisphere. These findings pinpoint plastisphere as a N2O source, and provide insights into roles of the new biotope in biogeochemical cycling in the Anthropocene. The roles of marine plastisphere in global nitrogen cycling are largely unknown. Here, the authors indicate that the plastisphere could act as a potential source of N2O production, which is mainly regulated by the biotic denitrification
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Gruber W, Magyar PM, Mitrovic I, Zeyer K, Vogel M, von Känel L, Biolley L, Werner RA, Morgenroth E, Lehmann MF, Braun D, Joss A, Mohn J. Tracing N 2O formation in full-scale wastewater treatment with natural abundance isotopes indicates control by organic substrate and process settings. WATER RESEARCH X 2022; 15:100130. [PMID: 35287381 PMCID: PMC8917317 DOI: 10.1016/j.wroa.2022.100130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) dominates greenhouse gas emissions in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Formation of N2O occurs during biological nitrogen removal, involves multiple microbial pathways, and is typically very dynamic. Consequently, N2O mitigation strategies require an improved understanding of nitrogen transformation pathways and their modulating controls. Analyses of the nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O) isotopic composition of N2O and its substrates at natural abundance have been shown to provide valuable information on formation and reduction pathways in laboratory settings, but have rarely been applied to full-scale WWTPs. Here we show that N-species isotope ratio measurements at natural abundance level, combined with long-term N2O monitoring, allow identification of the N2O production pathways in a full-scale plug-flow WWTP (Hofen, Switzerland). Heterotrophic denitrification appears as the main N2O production pathway under all tested process conditions (0-2 mgO2/l, high and low loading conditions), while nitrifier denitrification was less important, and more variable. N2O production by hydroxylamine oxidation was not observed. Fractional N2O elimination by reduction to dinitrogen (N2) during anoxic conditions was clearly indicated by a concomitant increase in site preference, δ18O(N2O) and δ15N(N2O). N2O reduction increased with decreasing availability of dissolved inorganic N and organic substrates, which represents the link between diurnal N2O emission dynamics and organic substrate fluctuations. Consequently, dosing ammonium-rich reject water under low-organic-substrate conditions is unfavorable, as it is very likely to cause high net N2O emissions. Our results demonstrate that monitoring of the N2O isotopic composition holds a high potential to disentangle N2O formation mechanisms in engineered systems, such as full-scale WWTP. Our study serves as a starting point for advanced campaigns in the future combining isotopic technologies in WWTP with complementary approaches, such as mathematical modeling of N2O formation or microbial assays to develop efficient N2O mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzel Gruber
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Paul M Magyar
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Aquatic and Isotope Biogeochemistry, University of Basel, Basel 4056, Switzerland
| | - Ivan Mitrovic
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Kerstin Zeyer
- Laboratory for Air Pollution / Environmental Technology, Empa, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Michael Vogel
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH, Zürich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Luzia von Känel
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH, Zürich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Lucien Biolley
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH, Zürich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Roland A Werner
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH, Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Eberhard Morgenroth
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Moritz F Lehmann
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Aquatic and Isotope Biogeochemistry, University of Basel, Basel 4056, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Braun
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH, Zürich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Adriano Joss
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Joachim Mohn
- Laboratory for Air Pollution / Environmental Technology, Empa, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
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Ren L, Cheng L, Zhang S, Ding A, Zhu Y, Lu C, Li Y, Yang Q, Li J. Quantifying nitrate pollution sources of the drinking water source area using a Bayesian isotope mixing model in the northeastern suburbs of Beijing, China. ISOTOPES IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH STUDIES 2021; 57:350-367. [PMID: 34156896 DOI: 10.1080/10256016.2021.1937149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Nitrate pollution has become an environmental problem of global concern. One effective way for controlling the nitrate pollution of water is to identify the pollution source and reduce the input of nitrate. This study traces and quantifies the sources of nitrate contamination to groundwater and surface water in the northeastern suburbs of Beijing, where an emergency groundwater source zone is located. Nitrogen and oxygen stable isotope analysis, geospatial analysis techniques, principal component analysis, correlation analysis, and a Bayesian isotope mixing model were used to achieve our goals. The results show that the main sources of nitrate pollution in groundwater were manure and sewage (M&S) (42.6 %) > soil nitrogen (SN) (26.6 %) > NH4+ in fertilizer and rain (NHF&R) (24.5 %) > NO3- fertilizer (NOF) (5.0 %) > NO3- in atmospheric deposition (NAD) (1.3 %), and main sources of nitrate in surface water were M&S (28.8 %) > SN (20.4 %) > NAD (19.8%) > NOF (16.5%) > NHF&R (14.5 %). Due to the high permeability of the aquifer in the study area, there was a strong hydraulic connection between groundwater and surface water. The discharge of treated wastewater (reclaimed water) into the mostly dried river channel in the study area might aggravate nitrate pollution in the groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangsuo Ren
- Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education on Groundwater Pollution Control and Remediation, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Lirong Cheng
- Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education on Groundwater Pollution Control and Remediation, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shurong Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education on Groundwater Pollution Control and Remediation, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Aizhong Ding
- Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education on Groundwater Pollution Control and Remediation, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Zhu
- Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education on Groundwater Pollution Control and Remediation, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunlei Lu
- Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education on Groundwater Pollution Control and Remediation, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Li
- Beijing Bureau of Geological Mineral Resources Exploration, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Yang
- Beijing Institute of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Li
- Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education on Groundwater Pollution Control and Remediation, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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Masuda S, Sato T, Mishima I, Maruo C, Yamazaki H, Nishimura O. Impact of nitrogen compound variability of sewage treated water on N 2O production in riverbeds. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 290:112621. [PMID: 33901830 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O), a strong greenhouse and ozone depleting gas, is known to be generated in the river environment. However, the impact of sewage treated water on the production mechanism has not been clarified. In this study, N2O production in the upper reach of a river was evaluated by field survey and activity test. The results demonstrated that the N2O production activity of the river pebbles increased with the inflow of the sewage treated water, which was supported by field survey results, such as the dissolved N2O concentrations and water quality. The emission factors of N2O were determined to be 0.02-0.05% in nitrification and 0.01-0.025% in denitrification. Our study shows that combining a field survey and an activity test improves the reliability of the results and leads to the appropriate quantitative evaluation. From a perspective of controlling the N2O emissions from the sewage treatment plant, N2O generation inside the plant is critical. However, appropriate nitrogen removal in the treatment plant is connected to the reduction of N2O generation in the river environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhei Masuda
- Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, National Institute of Technology, Akita College, Bunkyo-cho 1-1, Iijima, Akita, Akita, Japan.
| | - Takemi Sato
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tohoku University, Aoba 6-6-06, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Iori Mishima
- Water Environment Group, Center for Environmental Science in Saitama, Kamitanadare 914, Kazo, Saitama, Japan; Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Shimo-Okubo 255, Sakura, Saitama, Saitama, Japan
| | - Chikako Maruo
- Technical Division, School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Aoba 6-6-06, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yamazaki
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Toyo University, Kujirai, 2100, Saitama, Japan
| | - Osamu Nishimura
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tohoku University, Aoba 6-6-06, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
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9
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Liu XL, Han G, Zeng J, Liu M, Li XQ, Boeckx P. Identifying the sources of nitrate contamination using a combined dual isotope, chemical and Bayesian model approach in a tropical agricultural river: Case study in the Mun River, Thailand. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 760:143938. [PMID: 33333400 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Environmental issues triggered by increasing nitrate in agricultural river has become global concern. Identifying nitrate sources and transformation are crucial for water sources protection and eliminating nitrate contamination in an agricultural watershed. In this study, chemical and dual isotopic compositions of nitrate were employed to trace the nitrate sources and transformation processes, and proportional contribution of NO3- source were estimated by SIAR based on Bayesian model. NH4+ concentrations in middle Mun and lower Mun in wet season were significantly higher than NO3-, suggesting enhanced runoff processes by flood promote agricultural fertilized NH4+ leaching into the river. Higher Cl- concentration and NO3-/Cl- indicated that manure and sewage was the dominate nitrate source in the Lam Takhong River and the upper Mun. The overall values of δ15N-NO3- and δ18O-NO3- ranged from -3.9‰ to +16.6‰ and from -5.2‰ to +40.0‰, respectively. The results of nitrate isotopes indicated that NO3- mainly originated from soil N nitrogen, chemical fertilizer, and manure and sewage wastes. Spatially, soil N and chemical fertilizer contributed the most nitrate in the mainstream of lower Mun, middle Mun, and the Lam Takhong River; whereas over 60% of nitrate was derived from manure and sewage in the upper Mun. The spatial variation of water discharge and rainfall, together with the nitrate concentration and isotopes inferred that the nitrate sources and transformations in rain-fed river in tropical zone were distinguished from other rivers. High water discharge driven by rainfall events accelerated the nitrate export and the contribution of atmospheric deposition in wet season, and enlarged the contribution of manure and sewage in dry season. This study provided an example for further researches and approaches to assess the effects of tropical climate and agriculture on nitrate accumulation in watershed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Long Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environment, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China.
| | - Guilin Han
- School of Scientific Research, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Jie Zeng
- School of Scientific Research, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Man Liu
- School of Scientific Research, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Xiao-Qiang Li
- School of Scientific Research, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Pascal Boeckx
- Isotope Bioscience Laboratory-ISOFYS, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Gent 9000, Belgium
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Marzaioli F, Di Rienzo B, Stellato L, Di Fusco E, Rubino M, D'Onofrio A, Terrasi F. Characterization of the analytical performance of δ 15 N and δ 18 O measurements by the silver nitrate method in the framework of nitrate source apportioning. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2021; 35:e9009. [PMID: 33217062 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.9009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Nitrate pollution represents one of the most important issues for ground and surface water quality and source identification is essential for developing effective mitigation practices. Nitrate isotopic fingerprinting can be utilized to identify the sources of nitrate pollution in aquifers. However, it is crucial to assess the performances (precision and accuracy) of the analytical procedure applied to measure the δ15 N and δ18 O values of nitrates from field samples to correctly apply this tool. METHODS Nitrates were extracted from a large number of KNO3 samples using the AgNO3 method, and the δ15 N and δ18 O values of these nitrate extracts were measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The availability of this dataset, comprising 693 unprocessed quality control (QC) KNO3 samples and 618 processed samples, allowed us to rigorously quantify the performance of the procedures employed. A salt doping experiment was also performed from which the effects of contaminants on the performance of the method could be ascertained. RESULTS The overall instrumental reproducibility for the analysis of unprocessed QC samples was 0.5‰ and 2‰ for δ15 N and δ18 O values, respectively, and a strict dependence on signal amplitude was observed. No isotope fractionation was reported for reference samples that were processed according to the "identical treatment" principle (ITP) but normalized by unprocessed reference materials. A significant increase in the standard deviation (SD) was, however, observed compared with that for unprocessed samples. The SD of the processed QC samples allowed us to quantify the reproducibility of the entire procedure as 0.6‰ and 1.0‰ for δ15 N and δ18 O values, respectively. This was comparable with the system reproducibility when normalization using processed reference materials was applied according to the ITP. CONCLUSIONS Normalization with processed standards is essential to achieve high-precision measurements of the δ15 N and δ18 O values of nitrates extracted from unknown samples. This procedure allowed good accuracy to be guaranteed, and precision levels comparable with the observed instrumental performance to be achieved. A salt doping experiment showed a significant influence of the SO4 2- content on the δ15 N values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Marzaioli
- Università degli studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica, Viale Lincoln 5, Caserta, 81100, Italy
| | - Brunella Di Rienzo
- Università degli studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica, Viale Lincoln 5, Caserta, 81100, Italy
| | - Luisa Stellato
- Università degli studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica, Viale Lincoln 5, Caserta, 81100, Italy
| | - Egidio Di Fusco
- Università degli studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica, Viale Lincoln 5, Caserta, 81100, Italy
| | - Mauro Rubino
- Università degli studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica, Viale Lincoln 5, Caserta, 81100, Italy
| | - Antonio D'Onofrio
- Università degli studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica, Viale Lincoln 5, Caserta, 81100, Italy
| | - Filippo Terrasi
- Università degli studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica, Viale Lincoln 5, Caserta, 81100, Italy
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11
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Mishima I, Masuda S, Kakimoto T, Ikeda K, Watanabe K, Maruo C, Nishimura O. Assessment of nitrous oxide production in eutrophicated rivers with inflow of treated wastewater based on investigation and statistical analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2021; 193:93. [PMID: 33507415 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-021-08855-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Accurate estimation and control of greenhouse gas emissions have been recognized as imperative in recent years. Therefore, frequent investigations under uniform environmental conditions are required to better understand this concept. Thus, six sampling sites with characteristic concentrations of nitrogen and other water quality parameters were selected to investigate the behavior of water quality parameters throughout the year and to statistically examine the correlations among the parameters. Dissolved nitrous oxide (D-N2O) showed the highest positive correlation coefficient with NO2-N among nitrogen species. The results of the principal component analysis suggested that river water quality could be broadly classified based on photosynthesis and contamination from treated wastewater. Photosynthesis caused an increase in pH, with concomitant decrease in D-N2O concentration. Using the results of multiple regression analysis, D-N2O was accurately estimated based on nitrogen concentration, pH, and concentration of organic matter in various situations. The results of a detailed survey suggested that D-N2O was produced in the river from nitrogen sources released from the wastewater treatment plant. The main roles of the wastewater treatment plant for D-N2O behavior in the river were the supply of the nitrogen source that was the precursor of D-N2O, the supply of the nutrients that induced the photosynthesis, and the direct supply of D-N2O at a low water temperature. The models based on multiple regression analysis could efficiently predict the D-N2O concentration produced in rivers at sites downstream of the wastewater treatment plant, except for the direct supply of D-N2O as an effluent at low water temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iori Mishima
- Water Environment Group, Center for Environmental Science in Saitama, 914 Kamitanadare, Kazo, 347-0115, Japan.
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-Okubo, Sakura, Saitama, 338-8570, Japan.
| | - Shuhei Masuda
- Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, National Institute of Technology, Akita College, 1-1 Iijima-Bunkyo-cho, Akita, 011-8511, Japan
| | - Takashi Kakimoto
- Water Environment Group, Center for Environmental Science in Saitama, 914 Kamitanadare, Kazo, 347-0115, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Ikeda
- Water Environment Group, Center for Environmental Science in Saitama, 914 Kamitanadare, Kazo, 347-0115, Japan
| | - Keiji Watanabe
- Water Environment Group, Center for Environmental Science in Saitama, 914 Kamitanadare, Kazo, 347-0115, Japan
| | - Chikako Maruo
- Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-06 Aoba, Sendai, 980-8579, Japan
| | - Osamu Nishimura
- Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-06 Aoba, Sendai, 980-8579, Japan
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12
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Yu L, Harris E, Lewicka-Szczebak D, Barthel M, Blomberg MRA, Harris SJ, Johnson MS, Lehmann MF, Liisberg J, Müller C, Ostrom NE, Six J, Toyoda S, Yoshida N, Mohn J. What can we learn from N 2 O isotope data? - Analytics, processes and modelling. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2020; 34:e8858. [PMID: 32548934 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.8858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The isotopic composition of nitrous oxide (N2 O) provides useful information for evaluating N2 O sources and budgets. Due to the co-occurrence of multiple N2 O transformation pathways, it is, however, challenging to use isotopic information to quantify the contribution of distinct processes across variable spatiotemporal scales. Here, we present an overview of recent progress in N2 O isotopic studies and provide suggestions for future research, mainly focusing on: analytical techniques; production and consumption processes; and interpretation and modelling approaches. Comparing isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) with laser absorption spectroscopy (LAS), we conclude that IRMS is a precise technique for laboratory analysis of N2 O isotopes, while LAS is more suitable for in situ/inline studies and offers advantages for site-specific analyses. When reviewing the link between the N2 O isotopic composition and underlying mechanisms/processes, we find that, at the molecular scale, the specific enzymes and mechanisms involved determine isotopic fractionation effects. In contrast, at plot-to-global scales, mixing of N2 O derived from different processes and their isotopic variability must be considered. We also find that dual isotope plots are effective for semi-quantitative attribution of co-occurring N2 O production and reduction processes. More recently, process-based N2 O isotopic models have been developed for natural abundance and 15 N-tracing studies, and have been shown to be effective, particularly for data with adequate temporal resolution. Despite the significant progress made over the last decade, there is still great need and potential for future work, including development of analytical techniques, reference materials and inter-laboratory comparisons, further exploration of N2 O formation and destruction mechanisms, more observations across scales, and design and validation of interpretation and modelling approaches. Synthesizing all these efforts, we are confident that the N2 O isotope community will continue to advance our understanding of N2 O transformation processes in all spheres of the Earth, and in turn to gain improved constraints on regional and global budgets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longfei Yu
- Laboratory for Air Pollution & Environmental Technology, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 129, Dübendorf, CH-8600, Switzerland
- Institute of Groundwater and Earth Sciences, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Eliza Harris
- Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse 15, Innsbruck, A-6020, Austria
| | - Dominika Lewicka-Szczebak
- Centre for Stable Isotope Research and Analysis (KOSI), Büsgen Institute, Georg-August University of Göttingen, Germany
| | - Matti Barthel
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Margareta R A Blomberg
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Arrhenius Laboratory, Stockholm University, Stockholm, SE-10691, Sweden
| | - Stephen J Harris
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Matthew S Johnson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, Copenhagen Ø, DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Moritz F Lehmann
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jesper Liisberg
- Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christoph Müller
- Institute of Plant Ecology (IFZ), Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, Giessen, 35392, Germany
- School of Biology and Environmental Science and Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Nathaniel E Ostrom
- Department of Integrative Biology and DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Johan Six
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Sakae Toyoda
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8502, Japan
| | - Naohiro Yoshida
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8502, Japan
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, 152-8550, Japan
| | - Joachim Mohn
- Laboratory for Air Pollution & Environmental Technology, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 129, Dübendorf, CH-8600, Switzerland
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13
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Lin W, Ding J, Xu C, Zheng Q, Zhuang S, Mao L, Li Q, Liu X, Li Y. Evaluation of N 2O sources after fertilizers application in vegetable soil by dual isotopocule plots approach. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 188:109818. [PMID: 32599391 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) fertilizer is the major deriver of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in agricultural soil. In the vegetable fields in China both inorganic and organic fertilizers are largely applied as basic sources of nitrogen. Identifying the effects of fertilizer type on soil microbial activities involved in N2O emissions would be of great help for future development of N2O reduction strategies. N2O isotopocule deltas, including δ15Nbulk, δ18O and SP (the 15N site preference in N2O), have been used to analyze microbial pathways of N2O production under different treatments, including bio-organic fertilizer treatment, half bio-organic fertilizer and half urea (mixed fertilizer) treatment, urea treatment and no fertilizer treatment. We measured environmental factors, N2O fluxes and N2O isotopocule deltas to evaluate the dynamics of N2O emissions and constructed the dual isotopocule plots (δ15Nbulk vs. SP and δ18O vs. SP) of the main N2O emission phases to assess contribution of the involved microbial processes (bacterial nitrification, bacterial denitrification, nitrifier denitrification and fungal denitrification). According to the results of the main N2O emission phases, we found that bio-organic fertilizer and mix fertilizer treatments had significantly lower N2O emissions compared to urea treatment, with average N2O fluxes of 1477 ± 204, 1243 ± 187 and 1941 ± 164 μg m-3 h-1, respectively, but there were no significant effects on mineral N and cabbage yield. In addition, the urea treatment and the mixed fertilizer treatment had close and higher nitrogen use efficiency. Furthermore, the δ18O vs. SP plot was useful for providing insight into microbial processes, showing that fungal denitrification/bacterial nitrification was the dominant microbial pathway and bio-organic fertilizer and mix fertilizer treatments had higher denitrification and N2O reduction compared to urea treatment. Those findings demonstrated that the partial replacement of urea with bio-organic fertilizer was a better choice, by means of enhancing denitrification to reduce N2O emissions and also guaranteeing the nitrogen use efficiency and the cabbage yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Lin
- Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, 610213, China; Environmental Stable Isotope Lab., Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Junjun Ding
- Key Laboratory of Dryland Agriculture Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Chunying Xu
- Key Laboratory of Dryland Agriculture Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Qian Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Dryland Agriculture Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Shan Zhuang
- Key Laboratory of Dryland Agriculture Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Lili Mao
- Key Laboratory of Dryland Agriculture Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Qiaozhen Li
- Key Laboratory of Dryland Agriculture Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xiaoying Liu
- Key Laboratory of Dryland Agriculture Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yuzhong Li
- Key Laboratory of Dryland Agriculture Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China; Environmental Stable Isotope Lab., Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
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14
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Wu D, Well R, Cárdenas LM, Fuß R, Lewicka-Szczebak D, Köster JR, Brüggemann N, Bol R. Quantifying N 2O reduction to N 2 during denitrification in soils via isotopic mapping approach: Model evaluation and uncertainty analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 179:108806. [PMID: 31627026 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The last step of denitrification, i.e. the reduction of N2O to N2, has been intensively studied in the laboratory to understand the denitrification process, predict nitrogen fertiliser losses, and to establish mitigation strategies for N2O. However, assessing N2 production via denitrification at large spatial scales is still not possible due to lack of reliable quantitative approaches. Here, we present a novel numerical "mapping approach" model using the δ15Nsp/δ18O slope that has been proposed to potentially be used to indirectly quantify N2O reduction to N2 at field or larger spatial scales. We evaluate the model using data obtained from seven independent soil incubation studies conducted under a He-O2 atmosphere. Furthermore, we analyse the contribution of different parameters to the uncertainty of the model. The model performance strongly differed between studies and incubation conditions. Re-evaluation of the previous data set demonstrated that using soils-specific instead of default endmember values could largely improve model performance. Since the uncertainty of modelled N2O reduction was relatively high, further improvements to estimate model parameters to obtain more precise estimations remain an on-going matter, e.g. by determination of soil-specific isotope fractionation factors and isotopocule endmember values of N2O production processes using controlled laboratory incubations. The applicability of the mapping approach model is promising with an increasing availability of real-time and field based analysis of N2O isotope signatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Organic Farming, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China; Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Agrosphere (IBG-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany.
| | - Reinhard Well
- Thünen Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture, Bundesallee 65, 38116, Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | - Roland Fuß
- Thünen Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture, Bundesallee 65, 38116, Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | - Jan Reent Köster
- Thünen Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture, Bundesallee 65, 38116, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Nicolas Brüggemann
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Agrosphere (IBG-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Roland Bol
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Agrosphere (IBG-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
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15
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Margalef-Marti R, Carrey R, Viladés M, Jubany I, Vilanova E, Grau R, Soler A, Otero N. Use of nitrogen and oxygen isotopes of dissolved nitrate to trace field-scale induced denitrification efficiency throughout an in-situ groundwater remediation strategy. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 686:709-718. [PMID: 31195279 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In the framework of the Life+ InSiTrate project, a pilot-plant was established to demonstrate the viability of inducing in-situ heterotrophic denitrification to remediate nitrate (NO3-)-polluted groundwater. Two injection wells supplied acetic acid by pulses to an alluvial aquifer for 22months. The monitoring was performed by regular sampling at three piezometers and two wells located downstream. In the present work, the pilot-plant monitoring samples were used to test the usefulness of the isotopic tools to evaluate the efficiency of the treatment. The laboratory microcosm experiments determined an isotopic fractionation (ε) for N-NO3- of -12.6‰ and for O-NO3- of -13.3‰. These ε15NNO3/N2 and ε18ONO3/N2 values were modelled by using a Rayleigh distillation equation to estimate the percentage of the induced denitrification at the pilot-plant while avoiding a possible interference from dilution due to non-polluted water inputs. In some of the field samples, the induced NO3- reduction was higher than 50% with respect to the background concentration. The field samples showed a reduced slope between δ18O-NO3- and δ15N-NO3- (0.7) compared to the laboratory experiments (1.1). This finding was attributed to the reoxidation of NO2- to NO3- during the treatment. The NO3- isotopic characterization also permitted the recognition of a mixture between the denitrified and partially or non-denitrified groundwater in one of the sampling points. Therefore, the isotopic tools demonstrated usefulness in assessing the implementation of the field-scale induced denitrification strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna Margalef-Marti
- Grup MAiMA, SGR Mineralogia Aplicada, Geoquímica i Geomicrobiologia, Departament de Mineralogia, Petrologia i Geologia Aplicada, Facultat de Ciències de la Terra, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Raúl Carrey
- Grup MAiMA, SGR Mineralogia Aplicada, Geoquímica i Geomicrobiologia, Departament de Mineralogia, Petrologia i Geologia Aplicada, Facultat de Ciències de la Terra, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Viladés
- Sustainability Department, Fundació CTM Centre Tecnològic, Spain
| | - Irene Jubany
- Sustainability Area, Eurecat, Centre Tecnològic de Catalunya, Spain
| | | | | | - Albert Soler
- Grup MAiMA, SGR Mineralogia Aplicada, Geoquímica i Geomicrobiologia, Departament de Mineralogia, Petrologia i Geologia Aplicada, Facultat de Ciències de la Terra, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Neus Otero
- Grup MAiMA, SGR Mineralogia Aplicada, Geoquímica i Geomicrobiologia, Departament de Mineralogia, Petrologia i Geologia Aplicada, Facultat de Ciències de la Terra, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain; Serra Húnter Fellow, Generalitat de Catalunya, Spain
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16
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Clagnan E, Thornton SF, Rolfe SA, Wells NS, Knoeller K, Murphy J, Tuohy P, Daly K, Healy MG, Ezzati G, von Chamier J, Fenton O. An integrated assessment of nitrogen source, transformation and fate within an intensive dairy system to inform management change. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219479. [PMID: 31335897 PMCID: PMC6650055 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
From an environmental perspective optimised dairy systems, which follow current regulations, still have low nitrogen (N) use efficiency, high N surplus (kg N ha-1) and enable ad-hoc delivery of direct and indirect reactive N losses to water and the atmosphere. The objective of the present study was to divide an intensive dairy farm into N attenuation capacity areas based on this ad-hoc delivery. Historical and current spatial and temporal multi-level datasets (stable isotope and dissolved gas) were combined and interpreted. Results showed that the farm had four distinct attenuation areas: high N attenuation: characterised by ammonium-N (NH4+-N) below 0.23 mg NH4+-N l-1 and nitrate (NO3--N) below 5.65 mg NO3--N l-1 in surface, drainage and groundwater, located on imperfectly to moderately-well drained soils with high denitrification potential and low nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions (av. 0.0032 mg N2O-N l-1); moderate N attenuation: characterised by low NO3--N concentration in drainage water but high N2O production (0.0317 mg N2O-N l-1) and denitrification potential lower than group 1 (av. δ15N-NO3-: 16.4‰, av. δ18O-NO3-: 9.2‰), on well to moderately drained soils; low N attenuation-area 1: characterised by high NO3--N (av. 6.90 mg NO3--N l-1) in drainage water from well to moderately-well drained soils, with low denitrification potential (av. δ15N-NO3-: 9.5‰, av. δ18O-NO3-: 5.9‰) and high N2O emissions (0.0319 mg N2O l-1); and low N attenuation-area 2: characterised by high NH4+-N (av. 3.93 mg NH4+-N l-1 and high N2O emissions (av. 0.0521 mg N2O l-1) from well to imperfectly drained soil. N loads on site should be moved away from low attenuation areas and emissions to air and water should be assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Clagnan
- Environmental Research Centre, Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford, Ireland
- Groundwater Protection and Restoration Group, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Free University of Bolzano, Faculty of Science and Technology, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Steven F. Thornton
- Groundwater Protection and Restoration Group, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen A. Rolfe
- Department of Animal and Plant Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Naomi S. Wells
- Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, Australia
- Department of Catchment Hydrology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Kay Knoeller
- Department of Catchment Hydrology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - John Murphy
- Environmental Research Centre, Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford, Ireland
| | - Patrick Tuohy
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - Karen Daly
- Environmental Research Centre, Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford, Ireland
| | - Mark G. Healy
- Civil Engineering, National University of Ireland, Galway, Co. Galway, Ireland
| | - Golnaz Ezzati
- Environmental Research Centre, Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford, Ireland
| | - Julia von Chamier
- Department of Catchment Hydrology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Owen Fenton
- Environmental Research Centre, Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford, Ireland
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17
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Sebestyen SD, Ross DS, Shanley JB, Elliott EM, Kendall C, Campbell JL, Dail DB, Fernandez IJ, Goodale CL, Lawrence GB, Lovett GM, McHale PJ, Mitchell MJ, Nelson SJ, Shattuck MD, Wickman TR, Barnes RT, Bostic JT, Buda AR, Burns DA, Eshleman KN, Finlay JC, Nelson DM, Ohte N, Pardo LH, Rose LA, Sabo RD, Schiff SL, Spoelstra J, Williard KWJ. Unprocessed Atmospheric Nitrate in Waters of the Northern Forest Region in the U.S. and Canada. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:3620-3633. [PMID: 30830765 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b01276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about the regional extent and variability of nitrate from atmospheric deposition that is transported to streams without biological processing in forests. We measured water chemistry and isotopic tracers (δ18O and δ15N) of nitrate sources across the Northern Forest Region of the U.S. and Canada and reanalyzed data from other studies to determine when, where, and how unprocessed atmospheric nitrate was transported in catchments. These inputs were more widespread and numerous than commonly recognized, but with high spatial and temporal variability. Only 6 of 32 streams had high fractions (>20%) of unprocessed atmospheric nitrate during baseflow. Seventeen had high fractions during stormflow or snowmelt, which corresponded to large fractions in near-surface soil waters or groundwaters, but not deep groundwater. The remaining 10 streams occasionally had some (<20%) unprocessed atmospheric nitrate during stormflow or baseflow. Large, sporadic events may continue to be cryptic due to atmospheric deposition variation among storms and a near complete lack of monitoring for these events. A general lack of observance may bias perceptions of occurrence; sustained monitoring of chronic nitrogen pollution effects on forests with nitrate source apportionments may offer insights needed to advance the science as well as assess regulatory and management schemes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen D Sebestyen
- USDA Forest Service , Northern Research Station , 1831 Highway 169 E , Grand Rapids , Minnesota 55744-3399 , United States
| | - Donald S Ross
- University of Vermont , Dept. of Plant and Soil Science , Burlington , Vermont 05405-1737 , United States
| | - James B Shanley
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) , New England Water Science Center , Montpelier , Vermont 05602 , United States
| | - Emily M Elliott
- University of Pittsburgh , Dept. of Geology and Environmental Science , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15260-3332 , United States
| | - Carol Kendall
- USGS , Menlo Park , California 94025 , United States
| | - John L Campbell
- USDA Forest Service , Northern Research Station , Durham , New Hampshire 03824 , United States
| | - D Bryan Dail
- University of Maine , Department of Plant, Soil, and Environmental Science , Orono , Maine 04469 , United States
| | - Ivan J Fernandez
- University of Maine , School of Forest Resources , Orono , Maine 04469 , United States
| | - Christine L Goodale
- Cornell University , Ecology and Evolutionary Biology , Ithaca , New York 14850 , United States
| | | | - Gary M Lovett
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies , Millbrook , New York 12545 , United States
| | - Patrick J McHale
- State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry , Department of Environmental and Forest Biology , Syracuse , New York 13210 , United States
| | - Myron J Mitchell
- State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry , Department of Environmental and Forest Biology , Syracuse , New York 13210 , United States
| | - Sarah J Nelson
- University of Maine , School of Forest Resources , Orono , Maine 04469 , United States
| | - Michelle D Shattuck
- University of New Hampshire , Dept. of Natural Resources and the Environment , Durham , New Hampshire 03824 , United States
| | - Trent R Wickman
- USDA Forest Service , National Forest System - Eastern Region , Duluth , Minnesota 55808 , United States
| | - Rebecca T Barnes
- Colorado College , Environmental Program , Colorado Springs , Colorado 80903 , United States
| | - Joel T Bostic
- University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science , Appalachian Laboratory , Frostburg , Maryland 21532 , United States
| | - Anthony R Buda
- USDA Agricultural Research Service , Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit , University Park , Pennsylvania 16802-3702 , United States
| | - Douglas A Burns
- USGS , NY Water Science Center , Troy , New York 12180 , United States
| | - Keith N Eshleman
- University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science , Appalachian Laboratory , Frostburg , Maryland 21532 , United States
| | - Jacques C Finlay
- University of Minnesota , Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior , St. Paul , Minnesota 55108 , United States
| | - David M Nelson
- University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science , Appalachian Laboratory , Frostburg , Maryland 21532 , United States
| | - Nobuhito Ohte
- Kyoto University , Department of Social Informatics , Kyoto , Kyoto Prefecture 6068501 , Japan
| | - Linda H Pardo
- USDA Forest Service , Northern Research Station , Burlington , Vermont 05405 , United States
| | - Lucy A Rose
- University of Minnesota , Department of Forest Resources , St. Paul , Minnesota 55108 , United States
| | - Robert D Sabo
- USDA Forest Service , Northern Research Station , Burlington , Vermont 05405 , United States
| | - Sherry L Schiff
- University of Waterloo , Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences , Waterloo , Ontario N2L 3G1 , Canada
| | - John Spoelstra
- Environment and Climate Change Canada , Canada Center for Inland Waters , Burlington , Ontario L7S 1A1 , Canada
| | - Karl W J Williard
- Southern Illinois University , Forestry Center for Ecology , Carbondale , Illinois 62901 , United States
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18
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Biddau R, Cidu R, Da Pelo S, Carletti A, Ghiglieri G, Pittalis D. Source and fate of nitrate in contaminated groundwater systems: Assessing spatial and temporal variations by hydrogeochemistry and multiple stable isotope tools. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 647:1121-1136. [PMID: 30180321 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Revised: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Intensive farming usually imply a degradation of groundwater resources worldwide. In particular, nitrate concentrations exceeding the 50 mg L-1 limit established for drinking water pose the human health at risk. Therefore, assessing the impact of farming on groundwater, in terms of space and time, is of fundamental importance for policy decision makers and land managers. This study was aimed at assessing the nitrate source and fate in groundwater by combining hydrogeochemical and isotopic tools. The study area is located in the coastal plain of Arborea (Italy), a nitrate vulnerable zone (NVZ) due to intensive farming and animal husbandry (28,000 bovine livestock units). This area represents Mediterranean environments where groundwater resources are of relevant importance. In order to assess the present level of groundwater contamination and evaluate temporal variations, 6 hydrogeochemical surveys were carried out bimonthly at 13 sampling sites located in an area of 6 km2. Additional samples were collected in specific surveys (82 water samples in total). The physical-chemical parameters, nitrogen species concentrations, major and minor components were determined, together with the boron, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur isotopic delta values. Results showed that groundwater samples were of meteoric origin, as indicated by the δ2H and δ18OH2O values. The groundwater showed near-neutral pH (6.8-7.9) and different values of redox potential (0.2 ÷ 0.5 V), dissolved oxygen (2 ÷ 6 mg L-1), electrical conductivity (0.8 ÷ 2.1 mS cm-1) and chemical composition (sodium-chloride ÷ calcium-bicarbonate). Nitrate was not homogeneously distributed in groundwater, being observed a large range of concentrations, from <1 up to 162 mg L-1. The above differences reflected the variability of groundwater circulation at small scale, which in turn controlled the interaction of water with different sediments (sands and/or clays). The shallow wells (about 5 m depth), screened in groundwater interacting mainly with sands, showed marked variations under the monitoring period, with nitrate peaks reflecting high leaching of nitrate in correspondence of fertilization and irrigation periods. The deeper wells (15-37 m depth) showed high to moderate nitrate when screened in sandy aquifer, whereas they had very low nitrate and relatively high ammonium (up to 1.8 mg L-1) when clay layers were intercepted. Trends of δ15N and δ18ONO3 values in the nitrate of shallow groundwater were related to the nitrate concentration observed over the monitored period. This dual isotope systematic showed a likely source of nitrate in groundwater from either manure or sewage. The δ11B signature coupled to δ15N values clearly identified the manure as the predominant source of nitrate in the shallow and deep groundwater at Arborea. Relative enrichments in heavy nitrogen coupled to high concentrations of nitrate in groundwater were mainly attributed to volatilization processes occurring during the storage of animal wastes prior to application on the soil. Mixing of groundwater with seawater was not recognized, whereas mixing between shallow and deep groundwater may have occurred locally. Natural attenuation of nitrate contamination was observed in the deep groundwater interacting with lagoon clays rich in organic matter. Heterotrophic denitrification processes were highlighted by relatively high δ15N, δ18ONO3, δ34S and δ18OSO4 values in association with low SO42-/Cl- and high HCO3-/SO42- molar ratios observed in the groundwater with low concentration of nitrate. Results of this study showed that site-specific investigations are required for designing the best practices aimed at preserving groundwater resources under Mediterranean conditions. The spreading of animal waste on soils affects groundwater systems and likely extends over long time, strongly depending on the time lag of nutrient transport from source areas to receptor wells. Therefore, adequate monitoring of groundwater quality is required in areas of intensive farming.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Biddau
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Cagliari, Via Trentino 51, 09127 Cagliari, Italy
| | - R Cidu
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Cagliari, Via Trentino 51, 09127 Cagliari, Italy.
| | - S Da Pelo
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Cagliari, Via Trentino 51, 09127 Cagliari, Italy
| | - A Carletti
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Cagliari, Via Trentino 51, 09127 Cagliari, Italy; Desertification Research Centre, University of Sassari, Viale Italia, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - G Ghiglieri
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Cagliari, Via Trentino 51, 09127 Cagliari, Italy; Desertification Research Centre, University of Sassari, Viale Italia, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - D Pittalis
- Mineralogia Aplicada i Geoquímica de Fluids (MAG-UB) research group, Dept. De Cristallografia, Mineralogia i Dipòsits Minerals, Facultat de Geologia, Universitat de Barcelona, C/Martí i Franques s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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19
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Qin Y, Zhang D, Wang F. Using nitrogen and oxygen isotopes to access sources and transformations of nitrogen in the Qinhe Basin, North China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:738-748. [PMID: 30414029 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-3660-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Nitrate pollution in water is a common environmental problem worldwide. The Qinhe Basin (QHB) faces with the risk of eutrophication. To clarify nitrate pollution of river water, water chemical data, water isotope values (δD and δ18O-H2O), and dual nitrate isotope values (δ15N-NO3- and δ18O-NO3-) were used to discern sources and transformation mechanisms of nitrogen in the QHB. The nitrate concentrations of river water ranged from 0.71 to 20.81 mg L-1. The δD and δ18O-H2O values of river water varied from - 74 to -52‰ and from - 10.8 to - 7.2‰, with an average value of - 60‰ and - 8.2‰, respectively. The δ15N-NO3- and δ18O-NO3- values of nitrate ranged from - 6.7 to + 14.8‰ and from - 6.0 to + 5.6‰, with a mean value of + 4.6‰ and - 0.6‰, respectively. Assimilation by algae and the mixing of soil nitrogen, chemical fertilizer, sewage, and industrial wastewater could account for increasing δ15N-NO3- values. There was neither significantly positive nor negative correlation between δ15N-NO3- and δ18O-NO3- in river water, indicating that no obvious denitrification shifted isotopic values of nitrate in the QHB. Based on the dual isotopic values of nitrate and land use change in the watershed, it could be concluded that intensive nitrification dominated in the QHB, and dissolved nitrate was mainly derived from nitrification of ammonium in fertilizer, soil nitrogen, and domestic sewage. As the primary nitrate sources identified in the QHB, effective fertilization and afforestation can be taken to protect water resource from nitrate pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Qin
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, No.99, Shangda Road, Baoshan District, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Dong Zhang
- School of Resources & Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, No.2001, Shiji Road, Jiaozuo, 454000, Henan, China.
| | - Fushun Wang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, No.99, Shangda Road, Baoshan District, Shanghai, 200444, China
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20
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Masuda S, Otomo S, Maruo C, Nishimura O. Contribution of dissolved N 2O in total N 2O emission from sewage treatment plant. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 212:821-827. [PMID: 30193230 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.08.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The characteristics of nitrous oxide, N2O, from a sewage treatment plant, which conducts nitrogen removal, and the river that receives its effluent water, were investigated by intensive daily surveys in summer and winter. N2O production in the sewage treatment plant was promoted in winter when nitrite accumulated in the reaction tank. The dissolved N2O concentration in the effluent water was also high in winter, which caused the dissolved N2O concentration to increase in the river downstream. In contrast, the N2O production inside the plant and the dissolved N2O emission through the effluent water, the dissolved N2O discharge, was controlled in summer when the nitrogen removal was more complete and there was no-nitrite accumulation. The dissolved N2O in the effluent water was rapidly lost after leaving the plant by as much as 26% in summer and 59% in winter. Additionally, the amount of the dissolved N2O discharge in winter was almost equal to that of the indirect N2O emission. When the nitrogen removal proceeded successfully, the amount of dissolved N2O discharge was small. In contrast, when the nitrogen removal was insufficient, the dissolved N2O discharge became an important N2O source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhei Masuda
- Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, National Institute of Technology, Akita College, Bunkyo-cho 1-1, Iijima, Akita, Akita, Japan.
| | - Shohei Otomo
- Technology Education Support Center, National Institute of Technology, Akita College, Bunkyo-cho 1-1, Iijima, Akita, Akita, Japan
| | - Chikako Maruo
- Technical Division, School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Aoba 6-6-06, Aobayama, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Osamu Nishimura
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tohoku University, Aoba 6-6-06, Aobayama, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
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21
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Guo L, Wang X, Diao T, Ju X, Zheng L, Zhang X, Han X. N 2O emission contributions by different pathways and associated microbial community dynamics in a typical calcareous vegetable soil. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 242:2005-2013. [PMID: 30061078 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2018] [Revised: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide, one of the powerful long-lived greenhouse gases, is emitted mainly through biological processes, especially from fertilized soil. It is critical to partition the contribution of different pathways to N2O emissions and the relevant characteristics of microbial communities to identify the key N2O processes. An microcosm was conducted to partition the N2O emissions from different pathways, and the changes in soil mineral nitrogen and various nitrifiers (amoA bacteria and amoA archaea) and denitrifiers (nirS, nirK, and nosZ) were also determined using qPCR and high-throughput sequencing methods. Different gas inhibitor combinations (i.e., 0.06% acetylene, pure oxygen, 0.06% acetylene in pure oxygen, and pure helium) were used to partition the N2O pathways. A 5% oxygen treatment, with and without acetylene, was also included so that the N2O emissions could be measured under lower oxygen partial pressure. Results showed that ammonia-oxidation (AO) and successive nitrifier denitrification (NiD) were the main pathways contributing to N2O emissions at the earlier period after ammonium sulfate application with the cumulative N2O emissions accounting for 30.9% and 59.2% of the total N2O emissions, respectively. The higher NiD N2O contributions occurred when the soil nitrite concentration appeared higher, especially under the lower oxygen conditions. Higher N2O emissions from AO and NiD were associated with the compositional proportion of some dominant AOB species. Denitrification contributed more N2O (63.6%-69.3%) in the later period during incubation, coinciding with the following characteristics for denitrifiers: a) lower nosZ/(nirS + nirK) ratio, b) more diversity in nirS, and c) different proportions of some dominant species in nirK. Our results demonstrated that higher AO and successive NiD were the main N2O emission pathways, suggesting that controlling the ammonium content and weakening the AO are critical in decreasing N2O emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Guo
- Key Lab for Agro-Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Xuedong Wang
- College of Resource Environment and Tourism, Capital Normal University, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Tiantian Diao
- Key Lab for Agro-Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xiaotang Ju
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Key Lab of Plant-Soil Interaction of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Lei Zheng
- Key Lab for Agro-Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China; College of Resource Environment and Tourism, Capital Normal University, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- Key Lab for Agro-Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xue Han
- Key Lab for Agro-Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
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22
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Meghdadi A, Javar N. Quantification of spatial and seasonal variations in the proportional contribution of nitrate sources using a multi-isotope approach and Bayesian isotope mixing model. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 235:207-222. [PMID: 29289831 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.12.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Revised: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Spatial and seasonal variations in nitrate contamination are a globally concern. While numerous studies have used δ15N-NO3 and δ18O-NO3 to elucidate the dominant sources of nitrate in groundwater, this approach has significant limitations due to the overlap of nitrate isotopic ranges and the occurrence of nitrate isotopic fractionation. This study quantitatively assessed the spatial and seasonal variations in the proportional contributions of nitrate sources from different land uses in the Tarom watershed in North-West Iran. To achieve this aim, orthogonal projection of the hydrochemical and isotopic dataset of the principal component analysis (PCA) as well as correlation coefficient matrix (Corr-PCA) were evaluated to reduce the dimensionality of the inter-correlated dataset. Next, a nitrate isotopic biplot accompanied with a Bayesian isotope mixing model (SIAR) were applied to specify the spatial and seasonal trends in the proportional contribution of three dominant sources of nitrate (fertilizers, animal manure and residential waste) in the watershed. Finally, in order to provide a sensitive framework for nitrate source appointment and overcome the associated limitations of dual nitrate isotope application, the integration of boron isotope (δ11B) and strontium isotopic ratio (87Sr/86Sr) was introduced. The results revealed that the mean contribution of residential sewage increased (17%-27.5%), while the mean contribution of fertilizers decreased (28.3%-19%), from late spring to early autumn. Also, fertilizer was the highest contributor (42.1% ± 3.2) during late spring, especially in regions with more than 75% agricultural land. Meanwhile, the mean contribution of sewage was highest in early autumn (32.1% ± 2.8) in the areas with more than 20% residential land. These results were confirmed by coupled application of δ11B and 87Sr/86Sr. This study provides a useful insight for environmental managers to verify groundwater pollution contributors and to better apply remedial solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aminreza Meghdadi
- School of Earth Environmental and Biological Science, Queensland University of Technology, 4000, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - Narmin Javar
- Biological and Environmental Research Centre, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan Branch, Zanjan, Iran.
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23
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Masuda S, Sano I, Hojo T, Li YY, Nishimura O. The comparison of greenhouse gas emissions in sewage treatment plants with different treatment processes. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 193:581-590. [PMID: 29169134 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/04/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Greenhouse gas emissions from different sewage treatment plants: oxidation ditch process, double-circulated anoxic-oxic process and anoxic-oxic process were evaluated based on the survey. The methane and nitrous oxide characteristics were discussed based on the gaseous and dissolved gas profiles. As a result, it was found that methane was produced in the sewer pipes and the primary sedimentation tank. Additionally, a ventilation system would promote the gasification of dissolved methane in the first treatment units. Nitrous oxide was produced and emitted in oxic tanks with nitrite accumulation inside the sewage treatment plant. A certain amount of nitrous oxide was also discharged as dissolved gas through the effluent water. If the amount of dissolved nitrous oxide discharge is not included, 7-14% of total nitrous oxide emission would be overlooked. Based on the greenhouse gas calculation, electrical consumption and the N2O emission from incineration process were major sources in all the plants. For greenhouse gas reduction, oxidation ditch process has an advantage over the other advanced systems due to lower energy consumption, sludge production, and nitrogen removal without gas stripping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhei Masuda
- Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, National Institute of Technology, Akita College, Bunkyocho 1-1, Iijima, Akita, Japan.
| | - Itsumi Sano
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tohoku University, Aoba 6-6-06, Aobayama, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan
| | - Toshimasa Hojo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tohoku University, Aoba 6-6-06, Aobayama, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yu-You Li
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tohoku University, Aoba 6-6-06, Aobayama, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan
| | - Osamu Nishimura
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tohoku University, Aoba 6-6-06, Aobayama, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan
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24
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Duan H, Ye L, Erler D, Ni BJ, Yuan Z. Quantifying nitrous oxide production pathways in wastewater treatment systems using isotope technology - A critical review. WATER RESEARCH 2017; 122:96-113. [PMID: 28595125 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.05.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) is an important greenhouse gas and an ozone-depleting substance which can be emitted from wastewater treatment systems (WWTS) causing significant environmental impacts. Understanding the N2O production pathways and their contribution to total emissions is the key to effective mitigation. Isotope technology is a promising method that has been applied to WWTS for quantifying the N2O production pathways. Within the scope of WWTS, this article reviews the current status of different isotope approaches, including both natural abundance and labelled isotope approaches, to N2O production pathways quantification. It identifies the limitations and potential problems with these approaches, as well as improvement opportunities. We conclude that, while the capabilities of isotope technology have been largely recognized, the quantification of N2O production pathways with isotope technology in WWTS require further improvement, particularly in relation to its accuracy and reliability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoran Duan
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Liu Ye
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Dirk Erler
- Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480 Australia
| | - Bing-Jie Ni
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Zhiguo Yuan
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
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25
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Rohe L, Well R, Lewicka-Szczebak D. Use of oxygen isotopes to differentiate between nitrous oxide produced by fungi or bacteria during denitrification. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2017; 31:1297-1312. [PMID: 28556299 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.7909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Fungal denitrifiers can contribute substantially to N2 O emissions from arable soil and show a distinct site preference for N2 O (SP(N2 O)). This study sought to identify another process-specific isotopic tool to improve precise identification of N2 O of fungal origin by mass spectrometric analysis of the N2 O produced. METHODS Three pure bacterial and three fungal species were incubated under denitrifying conditions in treatments with natural abundance and stable isotope labelling to analyse the N2 O produced. Combining different applications of isotope ratio mass spectrometry enabled us to estimate the oxygen (O) exchange accelerated by denitrifying enzymes and the ongoing microbial pathway in parallel. This experimental set-up allowed the determination of δ18 O(N2 O) values and isotopic fractionation of O, as well as SP(N2 O) values, as a perspective to differentiate between microbial denitrifiers. RESULTS Oxygen exchange during N2 O production was lower for bacteria than for fungi, differed between species, and depended also on incubation time. Apparent O isotopic fractionation during denitrification was in a similar range for bacteria and fungi, but application of the fractionation model indicated that different enzymes in bacteria and fungi were responsible for O exchange. This difference was associated with different isotopic fractionation for bacteria and fungi. CONCLUSIONS δ18 O(N2 O) values depend on isotopic fractionation and isotopic fractionation may differ between processes and organism groups. By comparing SP(N2 O) values, O exchange and the isotopic signature of precursors, we propose here a novel tool for differentiating between different sources of N2 O.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Rohe
- Thünen Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Reinhard Well
- Thünen Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture, Braunschweig, Germany
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26
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Wei J, Zhou M, Vereecken H, Brüggemann N. Large variability in CO 2 and N 2 O emissions and in 15 N site preference of N 2 O from reactions of nitrite with lignin and its derivatives at different pH. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2017; 31:1333-1343. [PMID: 28557104 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.7912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2017] [Revised: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Chemodenitrification is an important N2 O source in soil; however, knowledge about the production of CO2 and N2 O from abiotic nitrite-SOM reactions, especially the N2 O isotopic signatures (intramolecular 15 N site preference (SP), and δ15 Nbulk and δ18 O values), is quite limited at present. METHODS N2 O and CO2 emissions from chemical reactions of nitrite with lignin products were determined with gas chromatography, and their response surfaces as a function of pH from 3 to 6 and nitrite concentration from 0.1 to 0.5 mM were explored with polynomial regression. The intramolecular 15 N distribution of N2 O, as well as δ15 Nbulk and δ18 O values, were measured with an isotope ratio mass spectrometer coupled to an online pre-concentration unit. The variability in N2 O SP values was tested from pH 3 to 5, and for nitrite concentrations from 0.3 to 0.5 mM. RESULTS Both CO2 and N2 O emissions varied largely with pH and the structure of lignin products. The highest N2 O emission occurred at pH 4-5 in 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde and 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzoic acid treatments, and at pH 3 in the treatments with lignin, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid. A wide range of N2 O SP values (11.9-37.4‰), which was pH dependent and not distinguishable from microbial pathways, was observed at pH 3-5. The δ15 Nbulk and δ18 O values of N2 O were both in a similar range to that reported for fungal denitrification and bacterial denitrification. CONCLUSIONS These results present the first characterization of the isotopic composition of N2 O from chemodenitrification in pure chemical assays. Chemical reactions of nitrite with lignin are pH-dependent and associated with substantial CO2 and N2 O emissions. The SP values of N2 O derived from chemodenitrification were neither distinguishable from the biotic pathways nor remained stable with varying pH. Therefore, the use of N2 O isotopic signatures for source partitioning is restricted when chemodenitrification is contributing significantly to N2 O emission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wei
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Agrosphere (IBG-3), Jülich, 52428, Germany
| | - Minghua Zhou
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Agrosphere (IBG-3), Jülich, 52428, Germany
| | - Harry Vereecken
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Agrosphere (IBG-3), Jülich, 52428, Germany
| | - Nicolas Brüggemann
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Agrosphere (IBG-3), Jülich, 52428, Germany
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27
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Isotopic overprinting of nitrification on denitrification as a ubiquitous and unifying feature of environmental nitrogen cycling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:E6391-E6400. [PMID: 27702902 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1601383113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural abundance nitrogen and oxygen isotopes of nitrate (δ15NNO3 and δ18ONO3) provide an important tool for evaluating sources and transformations of natural and contaminant nitrate (NO3-) in the environment. Nevertheless, conventional interpretations of NO3- isotope distributions appear at odds with patterns emerging from studies of nitrifying and denitrifying bacterial cultures. To resolve this conundrum, we present results from a numerical model of NO3- isotope dynamics, demonstrating that deviations in δ18ONO3 vs. δ15NNO3 from a trajectory of 1 expected for denitrification are explained by isotopic over-printing from coincident NO3- production by nitrification and/or anammox. The analysis highlights two driving parameters: (i) the δ18O of ambient water and (ii) the relative flux of NO3- production under net denitrifying conditions, whether catalyzed aerobically or anaerobically. In agreement with existing analyses, dual isotopic trajectories >1, characteristic of marine denitrifying systems, arise predominantly under elevated rates of NO2- reoxidation relative to NO3- reduction (>50%) and in association with the elevated δ18O of seawater. This result specifically implicates aerobic nitrification as the dominant NO3- producing term in marine denitrifying systems, as stoichiometric constraints indicate anammox-based NO3- production cannot account for trajectories >1. In contrast, trajectories <1 comprise the majority of model solutions, with those representative of aquifer conditions requiring lower NO2- reoxidation fluxes (<15%) and the influence of the lower δ18O of freshwater. Accordingly, we suggest that widely observed δ18ONO3 vs. δ15NNO3 trends in freshwater systems (<1) must result from concurrent NO3- production by anammox in anoxic aquifers, a process that has been largely overlooked.
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Isotope signatures of N2O emitted from vegetable soil: Ammonia oxidation drives N2O production in NH4(+)-fertilized soil of North China. Sci Rep 2016; 6:29257. [PMID: 27387280 PMCID: PMC4937382 DOI: 10.1038/srep29257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas. In North China, vegetable fields are amended with high levels of N fertilizer and irrigation water, which causes massive N2O flux. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of microbial processes to N2O production and characterize isotopic signature effects on N2O source partitioning. We conducted a microcosm study that combined naturally abundant isotopologues and gas inhibitor techniques to analyze N2O flux and its isotopomer signatures [δ15Nbulk, δ18O, and SP (intramolecular 15N site preference)] that emitted from vegetable soil after the addition of NH4+ fertilizers. The results show that ammonia oxidation is the predominant process under high water content (70% water-filled pore space), and nitrifier denitrification contribution increases with increasing N content. δ15Nbulk and δ18O of N2O may not provide information about microbial processes due to great shifts in precursor signatures and atom exchange, especially for soil treated with NH4+ fertilizer. SP and associated two end-member mixing model are useful to distinguish N2O source and contribution. Further work is needed to explore isotopomer signature stability to improve N2O microbial process identification.
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Harris E, Joss A, Emmenegger L, Kipf M, Wolf B, Mohn J, Wunderlin P. Isotopic evidence for nitrous oxide production pathways in a partial nitritation-anammox reactor. WATER RESEARCH 2015; 83:258-270. [PMID: 26164660 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2015.06.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2014] [Revised: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 06/25/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) production pathways in a single stage, continuously fed partial nitritation-anammox reactor were investigated using online isotopic analysis of offgas N2O with quantum cascade laser absorption spectroscopy (QCLAS). N2O emissions increased when reactor operating conditions were not optimal, for example, high dissolved oxygen concentration. SP measurements indicated that the increase in N2O was due to enhanced nitrifier denitrification, generally related to nitrite build-up in the reactor. The results of this study confirm that process control via online N2O monitoring is an ideal method to detect imbalances in reactor operation and regulate aeration, to ensure optimal reactor conditions and minimise N2O emissions. Under normal operating conditions, the N2O isotopic site preference (SP) was much higher than expected - up to 40‰ - which could not be explained within the current understanding of N2O production pathways. Various targeted experiments were conducted to investigate the characteristics of N2O formation in the reactor. The high SP measurements during both normal operating and experimental conditions could potentially be explained by a number of hypotheses: i) unexpectedly strong heterotrophic N2O reduction, ii) unknown inorganic or anammox-associated N2O production pathway, iii) previous underestimation of SP fractionation during N2O production from NH2OH, or strong variations in SP from this pathway depending on reactor conditions. The second hypothesis - an unknown or incompletely characterised production pathway - was most consistent with results, however the other possibilities cannot be discounted. Further experiments are needed to distinguish between these hypotheses and fully resolve N2O production pathways in PN-anammox systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliza Harris
- Laboratory for Air Pollution and Environmental Technology, Empa, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.
| | - Adriano Joss
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 133, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Lukas Emmenegger
- Laboratory for Air Pollution and Environmental Technology, Empa, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Marco Kipf
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 133, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Wolf
- Laboratory for Air Pollution and Environmental Technology, Empa, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research (IMK-IFU), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Kreuzeckbahnstrasse 19, 82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
| | - Joachim Mohn
- Laboratory for Air Pollution and Environmental Technology, Empa, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Wunderlin
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 133, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
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Zou Y, Hirono Y, Yanai Y, Hattori S, Toyoda S, Yoshida N. Rainwater, soil water, and soil nitrate effects on oxygen isotope ratios of nitrous oxide produced in a green tea (Camellia sinensis) field in Japan. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2015; 29:891-900. [PMID: 26377018 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.7176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2014] [Revised: 02/14/2015] [Accepted: 02/20/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The oxygen exchange fraction between soil H(2)O and N(2)O precursors differs in soils depending on the responsible N(2)O-producing process: nitrification or denitrification. This study investigated the O-exchange between soil H(2)O and N(2)O precursors in a green tea field with high N(2)O emissions. METHODS The rainwater δ(18)O value was measured using cavity ring-down spectrometry (CRDS) and compared with that of soil water collected under the tea plant canopy and between tea plant rows. The intramolecular (15)N site preference in (β) N(α) NO (SP = δ(15)N(α) - δ(15)N(β)) was determined after measuring the δ(15)N(α) and δ(15)N(bulk) values using gas chromatography/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/IRMS), and the δ(18) O values of N(2)O and NO(3)(-) were also measured using GC/IRMS. RESULTS The range of δ(18)O values of rainwater (-11.15‰ to -4.91‰) was wider than that of soil water (-7.94‰ to -5.64‰). The δ(18)O value of soil water at 50 cm depth was not immediately affected by rainwater. At 10 cm and 20 cm depths of soil between tea plant rows, linear regression analyses of δ(18)O-N(2)O (relative to δ(18)O-NO(3)(-)) versus δ(18) O-H(2)O (relative to δ(18)O-NO(3)(-)) yielded slopes of 0.76-0.80 and intercepts of 31-35‰. CONCLUSIONS In soil between tea plant rows, the fraction of O-exchange between H(2)O and N(2)O precursors was approximately 80%. Assuming that denitrification dominated N(2)O production, the net (18)O-isotope effect for denitrification (NO(3)(-) reduction to N(2)O) was approximately 31-35‰, reflecting the upland condition of the tea field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Zou
- Dept. of Environmental Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology G1-17, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8502, Japan
| | - Yuhei Hirono
- NARO Institute of Vegetable and Tea Science, 2769, Kanaya-Shishidoi, Shimada, Shizuoka, 428-8501, Japan
| | - Yosuke Yanai
- NARO Institute of Vegetable and Tea Science, 3-1-1 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8666, Japan
| | - Shohei Hattori
- Dept. of Environmental Chemistry and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology G1-17, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8502, Japan
| | - Sakae Toyoda
- Dept. of Environmental Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology G1-26, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8502, Japan
| | - Naohiro Yoshida
- Dept. of Environmental Chemistry and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology G1-17, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8502, Japan
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Meguro, Tokyo, 152-8551, Japan
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Schmidt HL, Robins RJ, Werner RA. Multi-factorial in vivo stable isotope fractionation: causes, correlations, consequences and applications. ISOTOPES IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH STUDIES 2015; 51:155-199. [PMID: 25894429 DOI: 10.1080/10256016.2015.1014355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Many physical and chemical processes in living systems are accompanied by isotope fractionation on H, C, N, O and S. Although kinetic or thermodynamic isotope effects are always the basis, their in vivo manifestation is often modulated by secondary influences. These include metabolic branching events or metabolite channeling, metabolite pool sizes, reaction mechanisms, anatomical properties and compartmentation of plants and animals, and climatological or environmental conditions. In the present contribution, the fundamentals of isotope effects and their manifestation under in vivo conditions are outlined. The knowledge about and the understanding of these interferences provide a potent tool for the reconstruction of physiological events in plants and animals, their geographical origin, the history of bulk biomass and the biosynthesis of defined representatives. It allows the use of isotope characteristics of biomass for the elucidation of biochemical pathways and reaction mechanisms and for the reconstruction of climatic, physiological, ecological and environmental conditions during biosynthesis. Thus, it can be used for the origin and authenticity control of food, the study of ecosystems and animal physiology, the reconstruction of present and prehistoric nutrition chains and paleaoclimatological conditions. This is demonstrated by the outline of fundamental and application-orientated examples for all bio-elements. The aim of the review is to inform (advanced) students from various disciplines about the whole potential and the scope of stable isotope characteristics and fractionations and to provide them with a comprehensive introduction to the literature on fundamental aspects and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanns-Ludwig Schmidt
- a Lehrstuhl für Biologische Chemie , Technische Universität München , Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
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Yang H, Gandhi H, Ostrom NE, Hegg EL. Isotopic fractionation by a fungal P450 nitric oxide reductase during the production of N2O. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:10707-10715. [PMID: 25121461 DOI: 10.1021/es501912d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas with a 100-year global warming potential approximately 300 times that of CO2. Because microbes account for over 75% of the N2O released in the U.S., understanding the biochemical processes by which N2O is produced is critical to our efforts to mitigate climate change. In the current study, we used gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-IRMS) to measure the δ(15)N, δ(18)O, δ(15)N(α), and δ(15)N(β) of N2O generated by purified fungal nitric oxide reductase (P450nor) from Histoplasma capsulatum. The isotope values were used to calculate site preference (SP) values (difference in δ(15)N between the central (α) and terminal (β) N atoms in N2O), enrichment factors (ε), and kinetic isotope effects (KIEs). Both oxygen and N(α) displayed normal isotope effects during enzymatic NO reduction with ε values of -25.7‰ (KIE = 1.0264) and -12.6‰ (KIE = 1.0127), respectively. However, bulk nitrogen (average δ(15)N of N(α) and N(β)) and N(β) exhibited inverse isotope effects with ε values of 14.0‰ (KIE = 0.9862) and 36.1‰ (KIE = 0.9651), respectively. The observed inverse isotope effect in δ(15)N(β) is consistent with reversible binding of the first NO in the P450nor reaction mechanism. In contrast to the constant SP observed during NO reduction in microbial cultures, the site preference measured for purified H. capsulatum P450nor was not constant, increasing from ∼ 15‰ to ∼ 29‰ during the course of the reaction. This indicates that SP for microbial cultures can vary depending on the growth conditions, which may complicate source tracing during microbial denitrification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Yang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
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Rohe L, Anderson TH, Braker G, Flessa H, Giesemann A, Lewicka-Szczebak D, Wrage-Mönnig N, Well R. Dual isotope and isotopomer signatures of nitrous oxide from fungal denitrification--a pure culture study. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2014; 28:1893-1903. [PMID: 25088133 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.6975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2014] [Revised: 06/27/2014] [Accepted: 06/27/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The contribution of fungal denitrification to the emission of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O) from soil has not yet been sufficiently investigated. The intramolecular (15)N site preference (SP) of N2O could provide a tool to distinguish between N2O produced by bacteria or fungi, since in previous studies fungi exhibited much higher SP values than bacteria. METHODS To further constrain isotopic evidence of fungal denitrification, we incubated six soil fungal strains under denitrifying conditions, with either NO3(-) or NO2(-) as the electron acceptor, and measured the isotopic signature (δ(18)O, δ(15)Nbulk and SP values) of the N2O produced. The nitrogen isotopic fractionation was calculated and the oxygen isotope exchange associated with particular fungal enzymes was estimated. RESULTS Five fungi of the order Hypocreales produced N2O with a SP of 35.1 ± 1.7 ‰ after 7 days of anaerobic incubation independent of the electron acceptor, whereas one Sordariales species produced N2O from NO2(-) only, with a SP value of 21.9 ± 1.4 ‰. Smaller isotope effects of (15)Nbulk were associated with larger N2O production. The δ(18)O values were influenced by oxygen exchange between water and denitrification intermediates, which occurred primarily at the nitrite reduction step. CONCLUSIONS Our results confirm that SP of N2O is a promising tool to differentiate between fungal and bacterial N2O from denitrification. Modelling of oxygen isotope fractionation processes indicated that the contribution of the NO2(-) and NO reduction steps to the total oxygen exchange differed among the various fungal species studied. However, more information is needed about different biological orders of fungi as they may differ in denitrification enzymes and consequently in the SP and δ(18)O values of the N2O produced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Rohe
- Thünen Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture, Bundesallee 50, D-38116, Braunschweig, Germany; University of Göttingen, Department of Crop Sciences, Institute of Grassland Science, von-Siebold-Straße 8, D-37075, Göttingen, Germany
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Tumendelger A, Toyoda S, Yoshida N. Isotopic analysis of N2O produced in a conventional wastewater treatment system operated under different aeration conditions. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2014; 28:1883-1892. [PMID: 25088132 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.6973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2014] [Revised: 05/21/2014] [Accepted: 06/23/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration is a key parameter of nitrous oxide (N2O), a greenhouse gas, emitted from wastewater treatment systems. No study of stable isotopes has described N2O production during conventional activated sludge (CAS) treatment under different DO concentrations. METHODS Concentrations and isotope ratios, including intramolecular site preference of (15)N in NNO (SP), of N2O were measured using gas chromatography/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/IRMS) for samples from seven points in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) operated with three aeration conditions. The δ(15)N values of NH4(+) and the δ(15)N and δ(18)O values of NO3(-) were measured using IRMS. RESULTS Aeration tank water was supersaturated with N2O. The highest value, 3700 nmol kg(-1), was observed at the aeration tank end and in settled sludge under the lowest aeration condition. About 0.03% of the influent NH4(+) was emitted as gaseous N2O at the lowest aeration condition. The conversion rate was 0.14% under the highest aeration condition. The SP values were significantly higher at the middle and end of the aeration tanks under the highest aeration condition, but were nearly zero or slightly negative under lower aeration conditions. CONCLUSIONS Under the highest aeration condition, NH2OH oxidation (nitrification) was the main contributor to N2O production at about 90% and 57%, respectively, at the aeration tank middle and end. At other sampling points, 55-63% of the N2O was produced by bacterial NO2(-) reduction (nitrifier-denitrification) with a lower nitrification contribution. For all sampling points in the lower aeration experiments, NO2(-) reduction was a major N2O production pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azzaya Tumendelger
- Department of Environmental Chemistry and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8502, Japan
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Thuss SJ, Venkiteswaran JJ, Schiff SL. Proper interpretation of dissolved nitrous oxide isotopes, production pathways, and emissions requires a modelling approach. PLoS One 2014; 9:e90641. [PMID: 24608915 PMCID: PMC3946536 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0090641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2013] [Accepted: 02/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Stable isotopes ([Formula: see text]15N and [Formula: see text]18O) of the greenhouse gas N2O provide information about the sources and processes leading to N2O production and emission from aquatic ecosystems to the atmosphere. In turn, this describes the fate of nitrogen in the aquatic environment since N2O is an obligate intermediate of denitrification and can be a by-product of nitrification. However, due to exchange with the atmosphere, the [Formula: see text] values at typical concentrations in aquatic ecosystems differ significantly from both the source of N2O and the N2O emitted to the atmosphere. A dynamic model, SIDNO, was developed to explore the relationship between the isotopic ratios of N2O, N2O source, and the emitted N2O. If the N2O production rate or isotopic ratios vary, then the N2O concentration and isotopic ratios may vary or be constant, not necessarily concomitantly, depending on the synchronicity of production rate and source isotopic ratios. Thus prima facie interpretation of patterns in dissolved N2O concentrations and isotopic ratios is difficult. The dynamic model may be used to correctly interpret diel field data and allows for the estimation of the gas exchange coefficient, N2O production rate, and the production-weighted [Formula: see text] values of the N2O source in aquatic ecosystems. Combining field data with these modelling efforts allows this critical piece of nitrogen cycling and N2O flux to the atmosphere to be assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon J. Thuss
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jason J. Venkiteswaran
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Sherry L. Schiff
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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Rohe L, Anderson TH, Braker G, Flessa H, Giesemann A, Wrage-Mönnig N, Well R. Fungal oxygen exchange between denitrification intermediates and water. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2014; 28:377-384. [PMID: 24395505 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.6790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2013] [Revised: 11/14/2013] [Accepted: 11/20/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Fungi can contribute greatly to N2O production from denitrification. Therefore, it is important to quantify the isotopic signature of fungal N2O. The isotopic composition of N2O can be used to identify and analyze the processes of N2O production and N2O reduction. In contrast to bacteria, information about the oxygen exchange between denitrification intermediates and water during fungal denitrification is lacking, impeding the explanatory power of stable isotope methods. METHODS Six fungal species were anaerobically incubated with the electron acceptors nitrate or nitrite and (18)O-labeled water to determine the oxygen exchange between denitrification intermediates and water. After seven days of incubation, gas samples were analyzed for N2O isotopologues by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. RESULTS All the fungal species produced N2O. N2O production was greater when nitrite was the sole electron acceptor (129 to 6558 nmol N2O g dw(-1) h(-1)) than when nitrate was the electron acceptor (6 to 47 nmol N2O g dw(-1) h(-1)). Oxygen exchange was complete with nitrate as electron acceptor in one of five fungi and with nitrite in two of six fungi. Oxygen exchange of the other fungi varied (41 to 89% with nitrite and 11 to 61% with nitrate). CONCLUSIONS This is the first report on oxygen exchange with water during fungal denitrification. The exchange appears to be within the range previously reported for bacterial denitrification. This adds to the difficulty of differentiating N2O producing processes based on the origin of N2O-O. However, the large oxygen exchange repeatedly observed for bacteria and now also fungi could lead to less variability in the δ(18)O values of N2O from soils, which could facilitate the assessment of the extent of N2O reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Rohe
- Thünen Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture, Bundesallee 50, D-38116, Braunschweig, Germany; University of Göttingen, Department of Crop Sciences, Institute of Grassland Science, von-Siebold-Str. 8, D-37075, Göttingen, Germany
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Ammonia-oxidation as an engine to generate nitrous oxide in an intensively managed calcareous fluvo-aquic soil. Sci Rep 2014; 4:3950. [PMID: 24492201 PMCID: PMC3912618 DOI: 10.1038/srep03950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 01/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We combine field observations, microcosm, stoichiometry, and molecular and stable isotope techniques to quantify N2O generation processes in an intensively managed low carbon calcareous fluvo-aquic soil. All the evidence points to ammonia oxidation and linked nitrifier denitrification (ND) being the major processes generating N2O. When NH4+-based fertilizers are applied the soil will produce high N2O peaks which are inhibited almost completely by adding nitrification inhibitors. During ammonia oxidation with high NH4+ concentrations (>80 mg N kg−1) the soil matrix will actively consume oxygen and accumulate high concentrations of NO2−, leading to suboxic conditions inducing ND. Calculated N2O isotopomer data show that nitrification and ND accounted for 35–53% and 44–58% of total N2O emissions, respectively. We propose that slowing down nitrification and avoiding high ammonium concentrations in the soil matrix are important measures to reduce N2O emissions per unit of NH4+-based N input from this type of intensively managed soil globally.
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Phillips R, Griffith DWT, Dijkstra F, Lugg G, Lawrie R, Macdonald B. Tracking short-term effects of nitrogen-15 addition on nitrous oxide fluxes using fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2013; 42:1327-1340. [PMID: 24216411 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2013.02.0067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic fertilizer N additions to soils have significantly increased atmospheric NO concentrations, and advanced methods are needed to track the amount of applied N that is transformed to NO in the field. We have developed a method for continuous measurement of NO isotopologues (NNO, NNO, NNO, and NNO) following 0.4 and 0.8 g N m of N-labeled substrate as KNO or urea [CO(NH)] using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. We evaluated this method using two 4-wk experimental trials on a coastal floodplain site near Nowra, New South Wales, Australia, which is managed for silage production. We deployed an automated five-chamber system connected to a portable FTIR spectrometer with multipass cell to measure NO isotopologue fluxes. Emissions of all isotopologues were evident immediately following N addition. All isotopologues responded positively to rainfall events, but only for 7 to 10 d following N addition. Cumulative N-NO fluxes (sum of the three N isotopologues) per chamber for the 14 d following N addition ranged from 1.5 to 10.3 mg N m. Approximately 1% (range 0.7-1.9%) of the total amount of N applied was emitted as NO. Repeatability (1σ) for all isotopologue measurements was better than 0.5 nmol mol for 1-min average concentration measurements, and minimum detectable fluxes for each isotopologue were <0.1 ng N m s. The results indicate that the portable FTIR spectroscopic technique can effectively trace transfer of N to the atmosphere as NO after N addition, allowing powerful quantification of NO emissions under field conditions.
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Butterbach-Bahl K, Baggs EM, Dannenmann M, Kiese R, Zechmeister-Boltenstern S. Nitrous oxide emissions from soils: how well do we understand the processes and their controls? Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2013; 368:20130122. [PMID: 23713120 PMCID: PMC3682742 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2013.0122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 647] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Although it is well established that soils are the dominating source for atmospheric nitrous oxide (N2O), we are still struggling to fully understand the complexity of the underlying microbial production and consumption processes and the links to biotic (e.g. inter- and intraspecies competition, food webs, plant–microbe interaction) and abiotic (e.g. soil climate, physics and chemistry) factors. Recent work shows that a better understanding of the composition and diversity of the microbial community across a variety of soils in different climates and under different land use, as well as plant–microbe interactions in the rhizosphere, may provide a key to better understand the variability of N2O fluxes at the soil–atmosphere interface. Moreover, recent insights into the regulation of the reduction of N2O to dinitrogen (N2) have increased our understanding of N2O exchange. This improved process understanding, building on the increased use of isotope tracing techniques and metagenomics, needs to go along with improvements in measurement techniques for N2O (and N2) emission in order to obtain robust field and laboratory datasets for different ecosystem types. Advances in both fields are currently used to improve process descriptions in biogeochemical models, which may eventually be used not only to test our current process understanding from the microsite to the field level, but also used as tools for up-scaling emissions to landscapes and regions and to explore feedbacks of soil N2O emissions to changes in environmental conditions, land management and land use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Butterbach-Bahl
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Meteorology and Climate Research, Atmospheric Environmental Research (IMK-IFU), Kreuzeckbahnstrasse 19, Garmisch-Partenkirchen 82467, Germany.
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Jena J, Ray S, Srichandan H, Das A, Das T. Role of microorganisms in emission of nitrous oxide and methane in pulse cultivated soil under laboratory incubation condition. Indian J Microbiol 2013; 53:92-9. [PMID: 24426084 PMCID: PMC3587505 DOI: 10.1007/s12088-012-0318-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2011] [Accepted: 10/04/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Soil from a pulse cultivated farmers land of Odisha, India, have been subjected to incubation studies for 40 consecutive days, to establish the impact of various nitrogenous fertilizers and water filled pore space (WFPS) on green house gas emission (N2O & CH4). C2H2 inhibition technique was followed to have a comprehensive understanding about the individual contribution of nitrifiers and denitrifiers towards the emission of N2O. Nevertheless, low concentration of C2H2 (5 ml: flow rate 0.1 kg/cm(2)) is hypothesized to partially impede the metabolic pathways of denitrifying bacterial population, thus reducing the overall N2O emission rate. Different soil parameters of the experimental soil such as moisture, total organic carbon, ammonium content and nitrate-nitrogen contents were measured at regular intervals. Application of external N-sources under different WFPS conditions revealed the diverse role played by the indigenous soil microorganism towards green house gas emission. Isolation of heterotrophic microorganisms (Pseudomonas) from the soil samples, further supported the fact that denitrification might be prevailing during specific conditions thus contributing to N2O emission. Statistical analysis showed that WFPS was the most influential parameter affecting N2O formation in soil in absence of an inhibitor like C2H2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyotsnarani Jena
- CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751013 India
| | - Sanak Ray
- CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751013 India
| | | | - Anuradha Das
- CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751013 India
| | - Trupti Das
- CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751013 India
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Using stable isotopes to follow excreta N dynamics and N2O emissions in animal production systems. Animal 2013; 7 Suppl 2:418-26. [DOI: 10.1017/s1751731113000773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Schreiber F, Wunderlin P, Udert KM, Wells GF. Nitric oxide and nitrous oxide turnover in natural and engineered microbial communities: biological pathways, chemical reactions, and novel technologies. Front Microbiol 2012; 3:372. [PMID: 23109930 PMCID: PMC3478589 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2012.00372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2012] [Accepted: 09/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N(2)O) is an environmentally important atmospheric trace gas because it is an effective greenhouse gas and it leads to ozone depletion through photo-chemical nitric oxide (NO) production in the stratosphere. Mitigating its steady increase in atmospheric concentration requires an understanding of the mechanisms that lead to its formation in natural and engineered microbial communities. N(2)O is formed biologically from the oxidation of hydroxylamine (NH(2)OH) or the reduction of nitrite (NO(-) (2)) to NO and further to N(2)O. Our review of the biological pathways for N(2)O production shows that apparently all organisms and pathways known to be involved in the catabolic branch of microbial N-cycle have the potential to catalyze the reduction of NO(-) (2) to NO and the further reduction of NO to N(2)O, while N(2)O formation from NH(2)OH is only performed by ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB). In addition to biological pathways, we review important chemical reactions that can lead to NO and N(2)O formation due to the reactivity of NO(-) (2), NH(2)OH, and nitroxyl (HNO). Moreover, biological N(2)O formation is highly dynamic in response to N-imbalance imposed on a system. Thus, understanding NO formation and capturing the dynamics of NO and N(2)O build-up are key to understand mechanisms of N(2)O release. Here, we discuss novel technologies that allow experiments on NO and N(2)O formation at high temporal resolution, namely NO and N(2)O microelectrodes and the dynamic analysis of the isotopic signature of N(2)O with quantum cascade laser absorption spectroscopy (QCLAS). In addition, we introduce other techniques that use the isotopic composition of N(2)O to distinguish production pathways and findings that were made with emerging molecular techniques in complex environments. Finally, we discuss how a combination of the presented tools might help to address important open questions on pathways and controls of nitrogen flow through complex microbial communities that eventually lead to N(2)O build-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Schreiber
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Eawag - Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology Dübendorf, Switzerland ; Department of Environmental Systems Sciences, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zurich, Switzerland
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43
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Nitrite as a candidate substrate in microbial fuel cells. Biotechnol Lett 2012; 34:1483-6. [DOI: 10.1007/s10529-012-0939-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2012] [Accepted: 04/16/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Wunderlich A, Meckenstock R, Einsiedl F. Effect of different carbon substrates on nitrate stable isotope fractionation during microbial denitrification. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2012; 46:4861-8. [PMID: 22458947 DOI: 10.1021/es204075b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
In batch experiments, we studied the isotope fractionation in N and O of dissolved nitrate during dentrification. Denitrifying strains Thauera aromatica and "Aromatoleum aromaticum strain EbN1" were grown under strictly anaerobic conditions with acetate, benzoate, and toluene as carbon sources. (18)O-labeled water and (18)O-labeled nitrite were added to the microcosm experiments to study the effect of putative backward reactions of nitrite to nitrate on the stable isotope fractionation. We found no evidence for a reverse reaction. Significant variations of the stable isotope enrichment factor ε were observed depending on the type of carbon source used. For toluene (ε(15)N, -18.1 ± 0.6‰ to -7.3 ± 1.4‰; ε(18)O, -16.5 ± 0.6‰ to -16.1 ± 1.5‰) and benzoate (ε(15)N, -18.9 ± 1.3‰; ε(18)O, -15.9 ± 1.1‰) less negative isotope enrichment factors were calculated compared to those derived from acetate (ε(15)N, -23.5 ± 1.9‰ to -22.1 ± 0.8‰; ε(18)O, -23.7 ± 1.8‰ to -19.9 ± 0.8‰). The observed isotope effects did not depend on the growth kinetics which were similar for the three types of electron donors. We suggest that different carbon sources change the observed isotope enrichment factors by changing the relative kinetics of nitrate transport across the cell wall compared to the kinetics of the intracellular nitrate reduction step of microbial denitrification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Wunderlich
- Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Helmholtz Center Munich, Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, Neuherberg, Germany
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45
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The Isotopomers of Nitrous Oxide: Analytical Considerations and Application to Resolution of Microbial Production Pathways. ADVANCES IN ISOTOPE GEOCHEMISTRY 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-10637-8_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
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Townsend-Small A, Pataki DE, Tseng LY, Tsai CY, Rosso D. Nitrous oxide emissions from wastewater treatment and water reclamation plants in southern California. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2011; 40:1542-50. [PMID: 21869516 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2011.0059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is a long-lived and potent greenhouse gas produced during microbial nitrification and denitrification. In developed countries, centralized water reclamation plants often use these processes for N removal before effluent is used for irrigation or discharged to surface water, thus making this treatment a potentially large source of N₂O in urban areas. In the arid but densely populated southwestern United States, water reclamation for irrigation is an important alternative to long-distance water importation. We measured N₂O concentrations and fluxes from several wastewater treatment processes in urban southern California. We found that N removal during water reclamation may lead to in situ N₂O emission rates that are three or more times greater than traditional treatment processes (C oxidation only). In the water reclamation plants tested, N₂O production was a greater percentage of total N removed (1.2%) than traditional treatment processes (C oxidation only) (0.4%). We also measured stable isotope ratios (δN and δO) of emitted N₂O and found distinct δN signatures of N₂O from denitrification (0.0 ± 4.0 ‰) and nitrification reactors (-24.5 ± 2.2 ‰), respectively. These isotope data confirm that both nitrification and denitrification contribute to N₂O emissions within the same treatment plant. Our estimates indicate that N₂O emissions from biological N removal for water reclamation may be several orders of magnitude greater than N₂O emissions from agricultural activities in highly urbanized southern California. Our results suggest that wastewater treatment that includes biological nitrogen removal can significantly increase urban N₂O emissions.
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Marom H, Antonov S, Popowski Y, Gozin M. Selective Sulfoxidation of Thioethers and Thioaryl Boranes with Nitrate, Promoted by a Molybdenum–Copper Catalytic System. J Org Chem 2011; 76:5240-6. [DOI: 10.1021/jo2001808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hanit Marom
- School of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Svetlana Antonov
- School of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Yanay Popowski
- School of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Michael Gozin
- School of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
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Nestler A, Berglund M, Accoe F, Duta S, Xue D, Boeckx P, Taylor P. Isotopes for improved management of nitrate pollution in aqueous resources: review of surface water field studies. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2011; 18:519-533. [PMID: 21246297 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-010-0422-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2010] [Accepted: 11/23/2010] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental agencies have to take measures to either reduce discharges and emissions of nitrate or to remediate nitrate-polluted water bodies where the nitrate concentrations exceed threshold values. Isotope data can support the identification of nitrate pollution sources and natural attenuation processes of nitrate. REVIEW This review article gives an overview of the information available to date regarding nitrate source apportionment in surface waters with the ambition to help improving future studies. Different isotope approaches in combination with physicochemical and hydrological data can successfully be used in source apportionment studies. A sampling strategy needs to be developed based on possible nitrate sources, hydrology and land use. Transformations, transport and mixing processes should also be considered as they can change the isotope composition of the original nitrate source. CONCLUSION Nitrate isotope data interpreted in combination with hydrological and chemical data provide valuable information on the nitrate pollution sources and on the processes nitrate has undergone during its retention and transport in the watershed. This information is useful for the development of an appropriate water management policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelika Nestler
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), Retieseweg 111, 2440, Geel, Belgium
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Wexler SK, Hiscock KM, Dennis PF. Catchment-scale quantification of hyporheic denitrification using an isotopic and solute flux approach. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2011; 45:3967-3973. [PMID: 21480587 DOI: 10.1021/es104322q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
A dual-isotope and solute flux mass-balance was used to elucidate the processes that lead to attenuation of nitrogen contamination in an agriculturally impacted river. The River Wensum drains a lowland catchment with an area of 570 km² in East Anglia, eastern England. Analysis of nitrate concentration, δ¹⁵N(NO₃) and δ¹⁸O(NO₃) of samples from the River Wensum collected from upstream locations to the catchment outlet through all seasons and flow conditions showed a consistent pattern of increasing isotope values with decreasing nitrate concentrations downstream. δ¹⁵N(NO₃) and δ¹⁸O(NO₃) of catchment surface water and groundwater samples revealed a dominant influence from microbially cycled and nitrified source-nitrogen, which results in high nitrate concentrations in Chalk groundwater and upstream in the River Wensum. Denitrification of Chalk groundwater-baseflow in the hyporheic zone results in the downstream trend observed in the river. Hyporheic denitrification is estimated to remove 931 kg/day of nitrate-nitrogen by the catchment outlet, representing 31% of the potential riverine nitrate load. The use of dual-isotope and solute flux modeling at the catchment scale is a novel application to quantify denitrification within the river valley, demonstrating the importance of hyporheic zone processes in attenuating the impacts of anthropogenic contamination of hydrologic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K Wexler
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK.
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Townsend-Small A, Pataki DE, Czimczik CI, Tyler SC. Nitrous oxide emissions and isotopic composition in urban and agricultural systems in southern California. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1029/2010jg001494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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