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Enhanced deposition of nitrate alters microbial cycling of N in a subtropical forest soil

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Abstract

In China, atmospheric deposition of NO3 − is increasing rapidly. However, information on how microbial N cycling in forest soils may respond to increasing deposition of NO3 − is currently lacking. Determination of process- and pool-specific N transformation rates can provide additional insights into the controls on the production and consumption of inorganic N, and microbial function. Here, we present results from a laboratory 15N tracing study with a soil (0–10 cm) from a subtropical forest receiving fertilization for more than 2.5 years at a rate of 0, 40, and 120 kg NO3 −–N ha−1 year−1. The process- and pool-specific N transformation rates were quantified with a 15N tracing model. The directions of changes in microbial mineralization of labile and recalcitrant organic N were opposite under increased NO3 − additions. Microbial mineralization of labile organic N first decreased, then increased, while microbial mineralization of recalcitrant organic N showed the opposite in response to increasing NO3 − additions. Ammonium immobilization into labile and recalcitrant organic N was not changed by increased NO3 − additions. Nitrate additions did not affect heterotrophic and gross nitrification, but stimulated autotrophic nitrification. Nitrate immobilization decreased under increased NO3 − additions, with a greater reduction under low NO3 − addition treatment compared to high NO3 − addition treatment. Overall, our results reflect a contrasting change in microbial mineralization of liable and recalcitrant organic N under increased NO3 − additions, and a contrasting effect of low and high NO3 − additions on microbial mineralization of liable and recalcitrant organic N. It also has implications for our understanding of NO3 – deposition-induced nonlinear changes in net production and loss of NO3 − in subtropical/tropical forest soils.

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Acknowledgments

This research is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 31130009) and the National Key Research and Development Plan (Grant No. 2016YFD06000202).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Beijing, 100101, China

    Wenlong Gao, Liang Kou, Huiming Wang, Hao Yang & Shenggong Li

  2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Wenlong Gao, Liang Kou & Shenggong Li

  3. School of Geography Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210047, China

    Jinbo Zhang

  4. Department of Plant Ecology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich Buff Ring 26, 35392, Giessen, Germany

    Christoph Müller

  5. School of Biology and Environmental Science and Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland

    Christoph Müller

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  1. Wenlong Gao
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Gao, W., Kou, L., Zhang, J. et al. Enhanced deposition of nitrate alters microbial cycling of N in a subtropical forest soil. Biol Fertil Soils 52, 977–986 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-016-1134-4

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