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Quantification of In Situ Denitrification Rates in Groundwater Below an Arable and a Grassland System

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Abstract

Understanding denitrification rates in groundwater ecosystems can help predict where agricultural reactive nitrogen (N) contributes to environmental degradation. In situ groundwater denitrification rates were determined in subsoil, at the bedrock interface and in bedrock at two sites, grassland and arable, using an in situ ‘push–pull’ method with 15N-labelled nitrate (NO3 −–N). Measured groundwater denitrification rates ranged from 1.3 to 469.5 μg N kg−1 day−1. Exceptionally high denitrification rates observed at the bedrock interface at grassland site (470 ± 152 μg N kg−1 day−1; SE, standard error) suggest that deep groundwater can serve as substantial hotspots for NO3 −–N removal. However, denitrification rates at the other locations were low and may not substantially reduce NO3 −–N delivery to surface waters. Denitrification rates were negatively correlated with ambient dissolved oxygen, redox potential, k s and NO3 − (all p values, p < 0.01) and positively correlated with SO4 2− (p < 0.05). Higher mean N2O/(N2O + N2) ratios at an arable (0.28) site than the grassland (0.10) revealed that the arable site has higher potential to indirect N2O emissions. Identification of areas with high and low denitrification and related site parameters can be a tool to manage agricultural N to safeguard the environment.

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Acknowledgments

The study was funded by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Ireland, through the Research Stimulus Fund Programme (grant RSF 06383) in collaboration with the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, The University of Dublin, Trinity College. The authors sincerely acknowledge the contribution of Mr. John Murphy in the field work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Teagasc Environment Research Centre, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford, Ireland

    M. M. R. Jahangir & K. G. Richards

  2. Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland

    M. M. R. Jahangir & P. Johnston

  3. Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, 2202, Bangladesh

    M. M. R. Jahangir

  4. Department of Natural Resources Science, University of Rhode Island, One Greenhouse Road, Kingston, RI, 02816, USA

    K. Addy

  5. Environmental Protection Agency, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford, Ireland

    M. I. Khalil

  6. Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, P.O. Box AB, Millbrook, NY, 12545, USA

    P. M. Groffman

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  1. M. M. R. Jahangir
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  2. P. Johnston
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Correspondence to K. G. Richards.

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Jahangir, M.M.R., Johnston, P., Addy, K. et al. Quantification of In Situ Denitrification Rates in Groundwater Below an Arable and a Grassland System. Water Air Soil Pollut 224, 1693 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-013-1693-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-013-1693-z

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