Arable soil continues to be the dominant anthropogenic source of nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emissions owing to application of nitrogen (N) fertilizers and manures across the world. Using laboratory and in situ studies to elucidate the key factors controlling soil N 2 O emissions remains challenging due to the potential importance of multiple complex processes. We examined soil surface N 2 O fluxes in an arable soil, combined with i...

No‐tillage and reduced tillage ( NT / RT ) management practices are being promoted in agroecosystems to reduce erosion, sequester additional soil C and reduce production costs. The impact of NT / RT on N 2 O emissions, however, has been variable with both increases and decreases in emissions reported. Herein, we quantitatively synthesize studies on the short‐ and long‐term impact of NT / RT on N 2 O emissions in humid and dry...

Atmospheric deposition of biologically active nitrogen (N) has increased dramatically over the past 60 years, with far‐reaching impacts on the structure and function of many ecosystems. Much research has examined the initial impacts of N enrichment; however, few studies have been multidecadal, and even fewer long‐term studies have examined the longevity of N‐induced impacts on N cycling after inputs cease. Here, we address thi...

Nitrite (NO 2 − ) can accumulate during nitrification in soil following fertilizer application. While the role of NO 2 − as a substrate regulating nitrous oxide (N 2 O) production is recognized, kinetic data are not available that allow for estimating N 2 O production or soil‐to‐atmosphere fluxes as a function of NO 2 − levels under aerobic conditions. The current study investigated these kinetics as influenced by soil physica...

Nitrogen retention in soil organic matter (SOM) is a key process influencing the accumulation and loss of N in forest ecosystems, but the rates and mechanisms of inorganic N retention in soils are not well understood. The primary objectives of this study were to compare ammonium (NH 4 + ), nitrite (NO 2 − ), and nitrate (NO 3 − ) immobilization among soils developed under different tree species in the Catskill Mountains of New...

From spring 2000 through fall 2001, we measured nitric oxide (NO) and nitrous oxide (N 2 O) fluxes in two temperate forest sites in Massachusetts, USA that have been treated since 1988 with different levels of nitrogen (N) to simulate elevated rates of atmospheric N deposition. Plots within a pine stand that were treated with either 50 or 150 kg N ha −1 yr −1 above background displayed consistently elevated NO fluxes (100–200...

Summary Laboratory experiments were conducted with three California agricultural soils to examine substrate and process controls over temporal variability of NO and N 2 O production during nitrification, and to quantify the kinetics of HNO 2 ‐mediated chemical reactions. Gross NO production rates were highly correlated ( r 2 = 0.93–0.97) with calculated concentrations of HNO 2 , which were shown to originate from autotrophic m...