Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Contrasting responses of gross and net nitrogen transformations to salinity in a reclaimed boreal forest soil

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Biology and Fertility of Soils Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Plant growth is often affected by low soil nitrogen (N) availability and soil salinity in the Athabasca oil sands region (AOSR) of Alberta, Canada, as the reclaimed cover soil of peat–mineral soil mix (PMM) releases N slowly, and may be affected by salts moving upward from the underlying saline tailings sand (TS) or overburden (OB) materials used for land reclamation. Whether soil salinity affects N transformation and thus N availability is not clear. We studied the effect of soil salinity on net and gross N transformation rates in a reclaimed boreal forest soil in an incubation experiment using the 15N isotopic pool dilution technique. To simulate the salinity in reclaimed soils, sodium chloride was added to a PMM soil to form five salinity levels represented by electrical conductivity (EC) of 2, 4, 6, and 8 dS m−1 (based on 1:2 w/v soil to water ratio) and the control. Gross N mineralization, nitrification, and immobilization rates were significantly different among salinity levels, with the rates suppressed by high soil salinity, but they were not completely inhibited even when soil EC reached 8 dS m−1. As the soil EC increased from 2 to 8 dS m−1, gross N immobilization rates decreased faster than gross N mineralization rates, resulting in less negative net N mineralization rates at high salinity levels. The immobilization of NH4+-N was a greater process for NH4+-N consumption than nitrification and possible NH3 volatilization, regardless of the salinity level. In contrast to gross nitrification rates, net nitrification rates were not affected by soil salinity in the studied soil, indicating that the influence of soil salinity on NO3−-N production and consumption was similar. We conclude that soil salinity had different effects on gross versus net rates of soil N transformation and reduced N mineralization and nitrification rates under high soil salinity would lower N availability and thus increase the need for N fertilization in reclaimed soils.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agarwal AS, Singh BR, Kanehiro Y (1971) Ionic effect of salts on mineral nitrogen release in an allophanic soil. Soil Sci Soc Am Proc 35:454–457

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Andrews JA, Johnson JE, Torbert JL, Burger JA, Kelting DL (1998) Mine soil and site properties associated with early height growth of eastern white pine. J Environ Qual 27:192–199

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Badran RAM (1994) Cellulolytic activity of some cellulose decomposing fungi in salinized soils. Acta Mycol 29:245–251

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barbour SL, Chanasyk D, Hendry J, Leskiw L, Macyk T, Mendoza C, Naeth A, Nichol C, O’Kane M, Purdy B, Qualizza C, Quideau S, Welham C (2007) Soil capping research in the Athabasca Oil Sands region. Volume 1: technology synthesis. Syncrude Canada Ltd., FortMcMurray, AB, pp 49–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Baumann K, Marschner P (2013) Effects of salinity on microbial tolerance to drying and rewetting. Biogeochemistry 112:71–80

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beales N (2004) Adaptation of microorganisms to cold temperatures, weak acid preservatives, low pH, and osmotic stress: a review. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 3:1–20

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Booth MS, Stark JM, Rastetter E (2005) Controls on nitrogen cycling in terrestrial ecosystems: a synthetic analysis of literature data. Ecol Monogr 75:139–157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Catão ECP, Lopes FAC, Rubini MR, Nardoto GB, Prosser JI, Krüger RH (2016) Short-term impact of soybean management on ammonia oxidizers in a Brazilian savanna under restoration as revealed by coupling different techniques. Biol Fertil Soils 52:401–412

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng Y, Cai Z, Zhang J, Lang M, Mary B, Chang SX (2012) Soil moisture effects on gross nitrification differ between adjacent grassland and forested soils in central Alberta, Canada. Plant Soil 352:289–301

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng Y, Wang J, Mary B, Zhang JB, Cai ZC, Chang SX (2013) Soil pH has contrasting effects on gross and net nitrogen mineralizations in adjacent forest and grassland soils in central Alberta, Canada. Soil Biol Biochem 57:848–857

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chowdhury N, Marschner P, Burns RG (2011a) Response of microbial activity and community structure to decreasing soil osmotic and matric potential. Plant Soil 344:241–254

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chowdhury N, Marschner P, Burns RG (2011b) Soil microbial activity and community composition: impact of changes in matric and osmotic potential. Soil Biol Biochem 43:1229–1236

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Christenson LM, Lovett GM, Weathers KC, Arthur MA (2009) The influence of tree species, nitrogen fertilization, and soil C to N ratio on gross soil nitrogen transformations. Soil Sci Soc Am J 73:638–646

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Darrah PR, Nye PH, White RE (1987) The effect of high solute concentrations on nitrification rates in soil. Plant Soil 97:37–45

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Davidson EA, Hart SC, Shanks CA, Firestone MK (1991) Measuring gross nitrogen mineralization, immobilization, and nitrification by 15N isotopic pool dilution in intact soil cores. J Soil Sci 42:335–349

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dluzniewska P, Gessler A, Dietrich H, Schnitzler JP, Teuber M, Rennenberg H (2007) Nitrogen uptake and metabolism in Populus × canescens as affected by salinity. New Phytol 173:279–293

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Duan M, House J, Chang SX (2015) Limiting factors for lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) and white spruce (Picea glauca) growth differ in some reconstructed sites in the Athabasca oil sands region. Ecol Eng 75:323–331

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Environment Canada (2013) Canadian climate Normals. Government of Canada Web. http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/index_e.html. (Accessed 23 December 2013)

  • Elmajdoub B, Barnett S, Marschner P (2014) Response of microbial activity and biomass in rhizosphere and bulk soils to increasing salinity. Plant Soil 381:297–306

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Firer N, Jackson RB (2006) The diversity and biogeography of soil bacterial communities. P Natl Acad Sci USA 103:626–631

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fung MYP, Macyk TM (2000) Reclamation of oil sands mining areas. In: Barmhisel RI, Darmody RG, Daniels WL (eds) Reclamation of drastically disturbed lands. Agronomy monograph no. 41. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, pp 755–774

  • Goodale CL, Aber JD (2001) The long-term effects of land-use history on nitrogen cycling in northern hardwood forests. Ecol Appl 11:253–267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Green SM, Cresser MS (2008) Nitrogen cycle disruption through the application of deicing salts on upland highways. Water Air Soil Pollut 188:139–153

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hart SC, Nason GE, Myrold DD, Perry DA (1994) Dynamics of gross nitrogen transformations in an old-growth forest: the carbon connection. Ecology 75:880–891

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heilman P (1975) Effect of added salts on nitrogen release and nitrate levels in forest soils of the Washington coastal area. Soil Sci Soc Am Proc 39:778–782

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hemstock SS, Quideau SA, Chanasyk DS (2010) Nitrogen availability from peat amendments used in boreal oil sands reclamation. Can J Soil Sci 90:165–175

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Högberg MN, Bååth E, Nordgren A, Arnebrant K, Höberg P (2003) Contrasting effects of nitrogen availability on plant carbon supply to mycorrhizal fungi and saprotrophs: a hypothesis based on field observations in boreal forest. New Phytol 160:225–238

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoyle FC, Murphy DV, Fillery IRP (2006) Temperature and stubble management influence microbial CO2-C evolution and gross N transformation rates. Soil Biol Biochem 38:71–80

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Inubushi K, Barahona MA, Yamakawa K (1999) Effects of salts and moisture content on N2O emission and nitrogen dynamics in yellow soil and andosol in model experiments. Biol Fertil Soils 29:401–407

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jamro GM, Chang SX, Naeth MA (2014) Organic capping type affected nitrogen availability and associated enzyme activities in reconstructed oil sands soils in Alberta, Canada. Ecol Eng 73:92–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jung K, Duan M, House J, Chang SX (2014) Textural interfaces affected the distribution of roots water, and nutrients in some reconstructed forest soils in the Athabasca oil sands region. Ecol Eng 64:240–249

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kessler S, Barbour SL, van Rees KCJ, Dobchuk BS (2010) Salinization of soil over saline-sodic overburden from the oil sands in Alberta. Can J Soil Sci 90:637–647

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirkham D, Bartholomew W (1954) Equations for following nutrient transformations in soil, utilizing tracer data. Soil Sci Soc Am Proc 18:33–34

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kwak JH, Chang SX, Naeth MA, Schaaf W (2015) Coarse woody debris increases microbial community functional diversity but not enzyme activities in reclaimed oil sands soils. PLoS One 10:e0143857

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Laura RD (1974) Effects of neutral salts on carbon and nitrogen mineralization of organic matter in soil. Plant Soil 41:113–127

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lovett GM, Weathers KC, Arthur MA (2002) Control of nitrogen loss from forested watersheds by soil carbon:nitrogen ratio and tree species composition. Ecosystems 5:712–718

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Low AP, Stark JM, Dudley LM (1997) Effects of soil osmotic potential on nitrification, ammonification, N-assimilation, and nitrous oxide production. Soil Sci 162:16–27

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MacKenzie M, Quideau S (2012) Laboratory-based nitrogen mineralization and biogeochemistry of two soils used in oil sands reclamation. Can J Soil Sci 92:131–142

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martikainen PJ (1985) Nitrification in forest soil of different pH as affected by urea, ammonium sulfate and potassium sulfate. Soil Biol Biochem 17:363–367

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mary B, Recous S, Robin D (1998) A model for calculating nitrogen fluxes in soil using 15N tracing. Soil Biol Biochem 30:1963–1979

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Masse J, Prescott CE, Müller C, Grayston SJ (2016) Gross nitrogen transformation rates differ in reconstructed oil-sand soils from natural boreal-forest soils as revealed using a 15N tracing method. Geoderma 282:37–48

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McClung G, Frankenberger WT (1987) Nitrogen mineralization rates in saline vs salt-amended soils. Plant Soil 104:13–21

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McCormick RW, Wolf DC (1980) Effect of sodium chloride on CO2 evolution, ammonification, and nitrification in a Sassafras Sandy loam. Soil Biol Biochem 12:153–157

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McMillan R, Quideau SA, MacKenzie MD, Biryukova O (2007) Nitrogen mineralization and microbial activity in oil sands reclaimed boreal forest soils. J Environ Qual 36:1470–1478

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Munns R, Tester M (2008) Mechanisms of salinity tolerance. Annu Rev Plant Biol 59:651–681

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Omar SA, Abdel-Sater MA, Khallil AM, Abd-Alla MH (1994) Growth and enzyme activities of fungi and bacteria in soil salined with sodium chloride. Folia Microbiol 39:23–28

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oren A (1999) Bioenergetic aspects of halophilism. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 63:334–348

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Oren A (2001) The bioenergetic basis for the decrease in metabolic diversity at increasing salt concentrations: implication of the functioning of salt lake ecosystems. Hydrobiologia 466:61–72

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pathak H, Rao DLN (1998) Carbon and nitrogen mineralization from added organic matter in saline and alkali soils. Soil Biol Biochem 30:695–702

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rice CW, Tiedje JM (1989) Regulation of nitrate assimilation by ammonium in soils and in isolated soil microorganisms. Soil Biol Biochem 21:597–602

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rodrigue JA, Burger JA (2004) Forest soil productivity of mined land in the mid-western and eastern coalfield regions. Soil Sci Soc Am J 68:833–844

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rousk J, Brookes PC, Bååth E (2009) Contrasting soil pH effects on fungal and bacterial growth suggest functional redundancy in carbon mineralization. Appl Environ Microbiol 75:1589–1596

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Rowland SM, Prescott CE, Grayston SJ, Quideau SA, Bradfield GE (2009) Recreating a functioning forest soil in reclaimed oil sands in northern Alberta: an approach for measuring success in ecological restoration. J Environ Qual 38:1580–1590

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schimel JP, Scott WJ, Killham K (1989) Changes in cytoplasmic carbon and nitrogen pools in a soil bacterium and a fungus in response to salt stress. Appl Environ Microbiol 55:1635–1637

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Schimel JP, Balser TC, Wallenstein M (2007) Microbial stress response physiology and its implications for ecosystem function. Ecology 88:1386–1394

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shrestha RK, Lal R (2011) Changes in physical and chemical properties of soil after surface mining and reclamation. Geoderma 161:168–176

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stempfhuber B, Richter-Heitmann T, Bienek L, Schöning I, Schrumpf M, Friedrich M, Schulz S, Schloter M (2017) Soil pH and plant diversity drive co-occurrence patterns of ammonia and nitrite oxidizer in soils from forest ecosystems. Biol Fertil Soils 53:691–700

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tietema A, Warmerdam B, Lenting E, Riemer L (1992) Abiotic factors regulating nitrogen transformations in the organic layer of acid forest soils: moisture and pH. Plant Soil 147:69–78

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ussiri DAN, Lal R (2005) Carbon sequestration in reclaimed mine soils. Crit Rev Plant Sci 24:151–165

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Q, Zhang L, Shen J, Du S, Han L, He J (2016) Nitrogen fertiliser-induced changes in N2O emissions are attributed more to ammonia-oxidising bacteria rather than archaea as revealed using 1-octyne and acetylene inhibitors in two arable soils. Biol Fertil Soils 52:1163–1171

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Westerman Rl, Tucker TC (1974) Effect of salts and salts plus nitrogen-15-labeled ammonium chloride on mineralization of soil nitrogen, nitrification, and immobilization. Soil Sci Soc Am Proc 38:602–605

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wichern J, Wichern F, Joergensen RG (2006) Impact of salinity on soil microbial communities and the decomposition of maize in acidic soils. Geoderma 137:100–108

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yan N, Marschner P (2012) Response of microbial activity and biomass to increasing salinity depends on the final salinity, not the original salinity. Soil Biol Biochem 53:50–55

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yan N, Marschner P (2013) Response of soil respiration and microbial biomass to changing EC in saline soils. Soil Biol Biochem 65:322–328

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan BC, Li ZZ, Liu H, Gao M, Zhang YY (2007) Microbial biomass and activity in salt affected soils under arid conditions. Appl Soil Ecol 35:319–328

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (grant no. 249664-2012 RGPIN). We would like to thank Suncor Energy Inc. for providing logistic support. We also thank Mr. Clarence Gilbertson at the Lethbridge Research Centre of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for isotope analyses of the samples.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Ecological Forecasting and Global Change, College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China

    Min Duan

  2. Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2E3, Canada

    Min Duan, Jason House, Yang Liu & Scott X. Chang

Authors
  1. Min Duan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jason House
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yang Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Scott X. Chang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Scott X. Chang.

Electronic supplementary material

ESM 1

(DOCX 22.5 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Duan, M., House, J., Liu, Y. et al. Contrasting responses of gross and net nitrogen transformations to salinity in a reclaimed boreal forest soil. Biol Fertil Soils 54, 385–395 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-018-1268-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-018-1268-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation