文摘
Denitrification dynamics in “geographically isolated wetlands-(GIWs) may provide a link between GIWs and aquatic systems by converting N to other end products (e.g., N2, N2O, etc.), protecting downstream waters from excessive N. We compared GIW ambient and amended denitrification rates and soil/water covariate relationships in areas of two ecoregions. The average unamended denitrification rate was 6.89?±-.02 (range: 1.67-8.91) μg N kg DW? (dry weight) hr?, and no ecoregional differences were found. Areal calculations were 0.010-.356?g?N?m??day?. Carbon amended denitrification samples decreased ?8?%, while samples amended with N or N-?C averaged 2730-675?% above background levels; N-?C rates were tested and did not differ between ecoregions. DW denitrification rates were correlated with soil covariates NH4, %N, and %C while ash-free DW samples were also correlated with soil TP and water TN. A tree-based classification grouped GIWs based on soil NH4 values, though the results were not conclusive. The findings suggest that GIWs embedded in areas with substantial loadings of N and P and ample C (e.g., agricultural land uses) may limit exposure of other waters to N pollution.