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Examining sources and dynamics of soil nitric oxide using stable isotope techniques

Yu, Zhongjie (2019) Examining sources and dynamics of soil nitric oxide using stable isotope techniques. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) degrade air quality and affect global tropospheric chemistry. Nitric oxide (NO) produced during microbial nitrification and denitrification in soils is an important source of atmospheric NOx. However, due to the diffuse nature, low concentrations, and high sensitivity to changing climatic and soil state variables, soil NO emissions are notoriously difficult to quantify. Consequently, it remains unclear how NO production is mediated by nitrogen (N) transformation processes in soil.

Stable isotope techniques are an emerging tool for characterizing the soil N cycle. This dissertation presents a comprehensive methodological framework for examining soil NO dynamics and its driving forces using stable N and oxygen (O) isotopes. A new analytical method was developed to measure N isotopes of soil-emitted NO (δ15N-NO) with a precision of ±1.1‰. Application of this new method in laboratory and field soil wetting experiments yielded results with important implications for understanding the mechanisms that sustain wetting-triggered NO emission pulses. To bridge NO emission with soil N transformations, a numerical model exploiting NO3- 17O anomaly (Δ17O) as a conservative tracer was developed to quantify soil nitrification and NO3- consumption rates. Field application of this model revealed co-occurring nitrification and denitrification in surface soil after a snowmelt event, leading to insights into the isotopic systematics of soil NO3- cycling. Coupling the δ15N-NO analysis with the Δ17O-based model, a series of laboratory experiments was conducted to characterize NO production during nitrification and denitrification in an agricultural soil. The results show that nitrification and denitrification have distinguishable isotopic imprints on NO production and that denitrification is a significant, yet under-characterized source of soil NO production even under conditions strongly favoring nitrification. Finally, a year-long measurement of NO3- in surface soil and lysimeter water was conducted at three field sites with contrasting N availability. The measured NO3- concentrations and dual isotopes (δ15N and δ18O) were used in an isotopic mass balance model to examine ecosystem N saturation, hydrological NO3- leaching, and denitrification. Overall, the results from this work provide process-based information about soil NO dynamics and its underlying processes that may help constrain soil NO emission at various scales.


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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Yu, Zhongjiezhy35@pitt.eduzhy35
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairElliott, Emilyeeliott@pitt.edueeliott
Committee MemberBain, Danieldbain@pitt.edudbain
Committee MemberStewart, Brianbstewart@pitt.edubstewart
Committee MemberWerne, Josefjwerne@pitt.edujwerne
Committee MemberMichalski, Greggmichals@purdue.edu
Date: 31 January 2019
Date Type: Publication
Defense Date: 10 August 2018
Approval Date: 31 January 2019
Submission Date: 30 August 2018
Access Restriction: 5 year -- Restrict access to University of Pittsburgh for a period of 5 years.
Number of Pages: 241
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Geology and Environmental Science
Degree: PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
Thesis Type: Doctoral Dissertation
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: Nitric oxide, Soils, Nitrogen isotopes, Oxygen isotopes
Date Deposited: 31 Jan 2019 22:41
Last Modified: 31 Jan 2024 06:15
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/35276

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