JOURNAL OF NANJING FORESTRY UNIVERSITY ›› 2020, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (5): 174-180.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1000-2006.201904052

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Effects of $C/NO_{3}^{-}-N$ change on denitrification and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium in the Chongming Dongtan wetland

WANG Xinxin1(), HAN Jiangang1,2,*(), XU Chuanhong1, XU Sha1   

  1. 1. College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
    2. Co-InnovationCenter for the Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
  • Received:2019-04-25 Revised:2020-05-28 Online:2020-10-30 Published:2020-11-19
  • Contact: HAN Jiangang E-mail:502601073@qq.com;hanjiangang76@126.com

Abstract:

【Objective】 Fluctuations in the ratio of carbon and nitrogen in the wetland soil have an important impact on the nitrate nitrogen reductions under the influence of accelerated natural and human activities. 【Method】 Sediment samples were collected under four vegetation types in the Chongming Dongtan wetland. The ratio of organic carbon to nitrate ($C/NO_3^--N$) in sediments was adjusted to increase or decrease by 30% by adding C6H12O6 or KNO3 solution, respectively. The 15N isotope dilution technique was used to define the changes in denitrification (Den) and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA). 【Result】 The results showed that the increase or decrease in $C/NO_3^--N$ caused a significant decrease in the rates of Den and DNRA in the sediments under Phragmites australis and Spartina alterniflora (P < 0.05). The Den rate under P. australis decreased from 10.1 μg/(kg·h) (CK) to 1.0-3.1 μg/(kg·h), whereas under S. alterniflora, it decreased from 3.4 μg/(kg·h) (CK) to 0.3-0.4 μg/(kg·h). In contrast, the DNRA rate decreased from 21.9 μg/(kg·h) (CK) to 12.7-14.5 μg/(kg·h) under P. australis, and for S. alterniflora, it decreased from 42.6 μg/(kg·h) (CK) to 3.1-5.8 μg/(kg·h). This indicates that the impact of changes in $C/NO_3^--N$ on nitrate reduction should be considered in the assessment of N2O emissions in the wetland. Particularly, the sediments under P. australis had a higher denitrification rate, whereas the DNRA rate under S. alterniflora was higher. 【Conclusion】 This study showed an essential difference in nitrate utilization between the two vegetation types. All DNRA/Den value under the four vegetation types were greater than 1, indicating that DNRA is the main pathway for nitrate reduction in the wetland. Compared with the decrease in $C/NO_3^--N$, the increase in $C/NO_3^--N$ resulted in the nitrate reduction in sediments being biased toward the DNRA process. Therefore, the fluctuations in $C/NO_3^--N$ in the Chongming Dongtan wetland (± 30%) may not cause a significant increase in N2O emissions from sediments.

Key words: wetland, the ratio of carborn to nitrogen, denitrification (Den), dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA), 15N, N2O emission, Chongming Island

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