Short-term recovery of NH4-15N applied to a temperate forest inceptisol and ultisol in east Tennessee USA

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EDT 2007 · Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00103620701662919· OSTI ID:930867

Garten, Jr, Charles T ^[1]; Brice, Deanne Jane ^[1]; Todd, Jr, Donald E ^[1]

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1. ORNL

The short-term fate and retention of ammonium (NH4)-{sup 15}nitrogen (N) applied to two types of forest soils in east Tennessee was investigated. Four ridgetop forests, predominantly oak (Quercus spp.), were studied. Five applications of NH{sub 4}-{sup 15}N tracer were made to the forest floor at 2- to 4-week intervals over a 14-week period in 2004. Nitrogen-15 recovery in the forest floor, fine roots (<2 mm), and the mineral soil (0-20 cm) was calculated at 6, 21, and 42 weeks after the last application. Most of the {sup 15}N was retained in the forest floor and the mineral soil, with only small amounts ({approx}<2%) found in roots from both soil layers. Recovery of NH{sub 4}-{sup 15}N was greater in Inceptisols, which had a wider carbon (C)-to-N ratio than Ultisols. For both soil types, higher NH{sub 4}-{sup 15}N recoveries and long retention times (half-lives>100 weeks) indicated the forest floor is an effective filter for atmospheric N inputs.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL); Oak Ridge National Environmental Research Park
• Sponsoring Organization: SC USDOE - Office of Science (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 930867
• Journal Information: Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, Journal Name: Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis Journal Issue: 19 & 20 Vol. 38; ISSN CSOSA2; ISSN 0010-3624
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CARBON
EBIS
FORESTS
NITROGEN 15
OAKS
RETENTION
SOILS
TENNESSEE