Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Dissolved Organic Nitrogen Concentrations and Ratios of Dissolved Organic Carbon to Dissolved Organic Nitrogen in Throughfall and Soil Waters in Norway Spruce and Scots Pine Forest Stands Throughout Norway

  • Published:
Water, Air, & Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) plays an important ecological role in forest ecosystems, and its concentration is related to that of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). We investigated DON concentrations and ratios of DOC to DON in throughfall and soil waters in 16 Norway spruce and two Scots pine forest stands sampled at weekly intervals between 1996 and 2006. The stands are all included in the ICP Forests Level II monitoring program and are located throughout Norway. DON concentrations were significantly and positively related to DOC concentrations in throughfall (r 2 = 0.72, p < 0.0001) and soil water at 5, 15, and 40 cm (r 2 = 0.86, 0.32, and 0.84 and p < 0.0001, 0.04, and <0.0001, respectively). At most sites, the annual median DOC/DON ratio in throughfall ranged from 20.3 to 55.5, which is lower than values in soil water, which ranged from 24.5 to 81.3, gradually decreasing with soil depth. DON concentrations varied seasonally in throughfall at many plots and in soil water at 5-cm depth at one plot only, with higher values in the growing season, but there was no noticeable seasonality at greater depth. The ratios of DOC/DON in soil water were significantly positively related to the C/N ratio in soil at the same depth. Above-ground litter input was the main factor having a significant, negative relationship to DOC/DON in soil water at all depths studied. This might reflect the effect of site conditions on both DOC/DON ratios and litter quantity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aber, J. D., Goodale, C. L., Ollinger, S. V., Smith, M.-L., Magill, A. H., Martin, M. E., et al. (2003). Is nitrogen deposition altering the nitrogen status of northeastern forests? BioScience, 53(4), 375–389.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aitkenhead-Peterson, J. A., Alexander, J. E., & Clair, T. A. (2005). Dissolved organic carbon and dissolved organic nitrogen export from forested watersheds in Nova Scotia: Identifying controlling factors. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 19(4), GB4016.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Andersson, S., Nilsson, I., & Valeur, I. (1999). Influence of dolomitic lime on DOC and DON leaching in a forest soil. Biogeochemistry, 47(3), 295–315.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andersson, S., Nilsson, S. I., & Sætre, P. (2000). Leaching of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) in mor humus as affected by temperature and pH. Soil Biology & Biochemistry, 32(1), 1–10.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • BFH. (2007). The condition of forests in Europe. Hamburg: Federal Research Centre for Forestry and Forest Products (BFH).

  • Brenner, R., Boone, R., Jones, J., Lajtha, K., & Ruess, R. (2006). Successional and physical controls on the retention of nitrogen in an undisturbed boreal forest ecosystem. Oecologia, 148(4), 602–611.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brookshire, E. N. J., Valett, H. M., Thomas, S. A., & Webster, J. R. (2007). Atmospheric N deposition increases organic N loss from temperate forests. Ecosystems, 10(2), 252–262.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, J. L., Hornbeck, J. W., McDowell, W. H., Buso, D. C., Shanley, J. B., & Likens, G. E. (2000). Dissolved organic nitrogen budgets for upland, forested ecosystems in New England. Biogeochemistry, 49(2), 123–142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chang, S. C., Wang, C. P., Feng, C. M., Rees, R., Hell, U., & Matzner, E. (2007). Soil fluxes of mineral elements and dissolved organic matter following manipulation of leaf litter input in a Taiwan Chamaecyparis forest. Forest Ecology and Management, 242(2–3), 133–141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Easter, G. (1987). SAS/GRAPH® Guide for personal computers. Cary: SAS Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO. (1988). FAO-UNESCO Soil Map of the World, revised legend. Rome, FAO

  • Gundersen, P. (1995). Nitrogen deposition and leaching in European forests—Preliminary results from a data compilation. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 85(3), 1179–1184.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hagedorn, F., Bucher, J. B., & Schleppi, P. (2001). Contrasting dynamics of dissolved inorganic and organic nitrogen in soil and surface waters of forested catchments with Gleysols. Geoderma, 100(1–2), 173–192.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harriman, R., Curtis, C., & Edwards, A. C. (1998). An empirical approach for assessing the relationship between nitrogen deposition and nitrate leaching from upland catchments in the United Kingdom using runoff chemistry. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 105(1–2), 193–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Helliwell, R. C., Coull, M. C., Davies, J. J. L., Evans, C. D., Norris, D., Ferrier, R. C., et al. (2007). The role of catchment characteristics in determining surface water nitrogen in four upland regions in the UK. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 11(2), 356–371.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Henriksen, A., & Selmer-Olsen, A. R. (1970). Automatic methods for determining nitrate and nitrite in water and soil extracts. Analyst, 95, 514-518.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hood, E. W., Williams, M. W., & Caine, N. (2003). Landscape controls on organic and inorganic nitrogen leaching across an alpine/subalpine ecotone, Green Lakes Valley, Colorado Front Range. Ecosystems, 6(1), 31–45.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Joyner, S. P. (1985). SAS/STAT TM Guide for personal computers. Cary: SAS Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaushal, S. S., & Lewis, W. M. (2003). Patterns in the chemical fractionation of organic nitrogen in Rocky Mountain streams. Ecosystems, 6(5), 483–492.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McDowell, W. H., Currie, W. S., Aber, J. D., & Yano, Y. (1998). Effects of chronic nitrogen amendments on production of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen in forest soils. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 105(1–2), 175–182.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McDowell, W. H., Magill, A. H., Aitkenhead-Peterson, J. A., Aber, J. D., Merriam, J. L., & Kaushal, S. S. (2004). Effects of chronic nitrogen amendment on dissolved organic matter and inorganic nitrogen in soil solution. Forest Ecology and Management, 196(1), 29–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McFarland, J. W., Ruess, R. W., Kielland, K., & Doyle, A. P. (2002). Cycling dynamics of NH +4 and amino acid nitrogen in soils of a deciduous boreal forest ecosystem. Ecosystems, 5(8), 775–788.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Michalzik, B., & Matzner, E. (1999). Dynamics of dissolved organic nitrogen and carbon in a central European Norway spruce ecosystem. European Journal of Soil Science, 50(4), 579–590.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Michalzik, B., Kalbitz, K., Park, J. H., Solinger, S., & Matzner, E. (2001). Fluxes and concentrations of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen-a synthesis for temperate forests. Biogeochemistry, 52(2), 173–205.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mulder, J., Nilsen, P., Stuanes, A. O., & Huse, M. (1997). Nitrogen pools and transformations in Norwegian forest ecosystems with different atmospheric inputs. Ambio, 26(5), 273–281.

    Google Scholar 

  • Näsholm, T., Ekblad, A., Nordin, A., Giesler, R., Högberg, M., & Högberg, P. (1998). Boreal forest plants take up organic nitrogen. Nature, 392(6679), 914–916.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neff, J. C., Hobbie, S. E., & Vitousek, P. M. (2000). Nutrient and mineralogical control on dissolved organic C, N and P fluxes and stoichiometry in Hawaiian soils. Biogeochemistry, 51(3), 283–302.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ogner, G., Opem, M., Remedios, G., Sjøtveit, G., & Sørlie, B. (1991). the chemical analysis program of the Norwegian forest research institute. Ås: Norwegian Forest Research Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Park, J., & Matzner, E. (2003). Controls on the release of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen from a deciduous forest floor investigated by manipulations of aboveground litter inputs and water flux. Biogeochemistry, 66(3), 265–286.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Perakis, S. S., & Hedin, L. O. (2002). Nitrogen loss from unpolluted South American forests mainly via dissolved organic compounds. Nature, 415(6870), 416–419.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prechtel, A., Alewell, C., Michalzik, B., & Matzner, E. (2000). Different effect of drying on the fluxes of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen from a Norway spruce forest floor. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 163(5), 517–521.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qualls, R. G., & Haines, B. L. (1991). Geochemistry of dissolved organic nutrients in water percolating through a forest ecosystem. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 55(4), 1112–1123.

    Google Scholar 

  • Qualls, R. G., Haines, B. L., Swank, W. T., & Tyler, S. W. (2002). Retention of soluble organic nutrients by a forested ecosystem. Biogeochemistry, 61(2), 135–171.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Raastad, I. A., & Mulder, J. (1999). Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in acid forest soils at Gårdsjön (Sweden): Natural variabilities and effects of increased input of nitrogen and of reversal of acidification. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 114(1–2), 199–219.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rowe, E. C., Evans, C. D., Emmett, B. A., Reynolds, B., Helliwell, R. C., Coull, M. C., et al. (2006). Vegetation type affects the relationship between soil carbon to nitrogen ratio and nitrogen leaching. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 177(1), 335–347.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rytter, L., Arveby, A. S., & Granhall, U. (1991). Dinitrogen (C2H2) fixation in relation to nitrogen-fertilization of gray alder [Alnus incana (L.) Moench] plantations in a peat bog. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 10(4), 233–240.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, I. K., Tietema, A., Williams, D., Gundersen, P., Beier, C., Emmett, B. A., et al. (2004). Soil solution chemistry and element fluxes in three European heathlands and their responses to warming and drought. Ecosystems, 7(6), 638–649.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smolander, A., & Kitunen, V. (2002). Soil microbial activities and characteristics of dissolved organic C and N in relation to tree species. Soil Biology & Biochemistry, 34(5), 651–660.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smolander, A., Kitunen, V., & Mälkönen, E. (2001). Dissolved soil organic nitrogen and carbon in a Norway spruce stand and an adjacent clear-cut. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 33(3), 190–196.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Solberg, S., Andreassen, K., Clarke, N., Tørseth, K., Tveito, O. E., Strand, G. H., et al. (2004). The possible influence of nitrogen and acid deposition on forest growth in Norway. Forest Ecology and Management, 192(2–3), 241–249.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solinger, S., Kalbitz, K., & Matzner, E. (2001). Controls on the dynamics of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen in a Central European deciduous forest. Biogeochemistry, 55(3), 327–349.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Streeter, T. C., Bol, R., & Bardgett, R. D. (2000). Amino acids as a nitrogen source in temperate upland grasslands: the use of dual labelled (13C 15N) glycine to test for direct uptake by dominant grasses. Rapid Communication in Mass Spectrometry, 14, 1351–1355.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Streeter, T. C., King, R. F., & Raymond, B. (2003). Organic nitrogen in soil water from grassland under different land management strategies in the United Kingdom—a neglected N load to upland lakes? Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 96(1–3), 155–160.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vestgarden, L. S., Abrahamsen, G., & Stuanes, A. O. (2001). Soil solution response to nitrogen and magnesium application in a Scots pine forest. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 65(6), 1812–1823.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, Y., Clarke, N., & Mulder, J. (2009). Dissolved organic carbon concentrations in throughfall and soil waters at Level II Monitoring plots in Norway: short-term and long-term variations. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution. doi:10.1007/s11270-009-0073-1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ziegler, S., Kaiser, E., & Benner, R. (2004). Dynamics of dissolved organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in a seagrass meadow of Laguna Madre, Texas. Bulletin of Marine Science, 75(3), 391–407.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The Norwegian Ministries of Agriculture and the Environment financed this work. We thank our technical staff for setting up and maintaining the plots, the local observers of the Norwegian Monitoring Programme for Forest Damage for sample collection, the Norwegian Meteorological Institute for providing us with data for MAT and MAP, and the Analytical Laboratory of the Norwegian Forest and Landscape Institute for chemical analysis.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Norwegian Forest and Landscape Institute, P.O. Box 115, 1431, Ås, Norway

    Yijie Wu & Nicholas Clarke

  2. Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, 1432, Ås, Norway

    Jan Mulder

Authors
  1. Yijie Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nicholas Clarke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jan Mulder
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yijie Wu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wu, Y., Clarke, N. & Mulder, J. Dissolved Organic Nitrogen Concentrations and Ratios of Dissolved Organic Carbon to Dissolved Organic Nitrogen in Throughfall and Soil Waters in Norway Spruce and Scots Pine Forest Stands Throughout Norway. Water Air Soil Pollut 210, 171–186 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-009-0239-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-009-0239-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation