FEMS Microbiology Letters · 1989 · 51 citations · 33 references
AgricultureMicrobiologySoil SciencesSoil BiogeochemistrySoil BiologySoil MicrobiologyAnaerobic BacteriologyNitrogen CycleNitrogen CyclingNitrogen MetabolismSoil Enzyme ActivitySoil Microbial PhysiologyAnaerobic Soil ConditionsDenitrificationDenitrification ProcessesDenitrifying BacteriaNitrate ReductionNitrogen MineralizationNitrogen Mineralization KineticsSoil Nitrogen Mineralization
Microbial populations, nitrogen mineralization potentials, and denitrification enzyme activities were examined in two abandoned carbolithic minesoils. Numbers and activities of bacteria and fungi were lower in nonamended than in lime and/or fly ash amended sites. Rates of aerobic NO3− production (3 to 38 μg-N kg−1 h−1) and anaerobic NO3− reduction to N2O (5 to 68 μg-N kg−1 h−1) were measured. Organisms capable of N2O production under anaerobic soil conditions were present in low numbers, and their activity was restricted in part by low soil pH. Nondenitrifying nitrate-reducing bacteria were more diverse and in greater numbers than respiratory denitrifiers and may have been responsible for N2O production in assays measuring denitrification enzyme activity.
33