Linking dissolved organic carbon, acetate and denitrification in agricultural soils

• Published in: Environmental earth sciences Vol. 68; no. 4; pp. 939 - 945
• Main Authors: Castaldelli, G, Colombani, N, Vincenzi, F, Mastrocicco, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01-02-2013; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: acetates; Agricultural land; agricultural soils; Agriculture; Biogeosciences; Carbon; Cereal crops; Corn; Crop residues; Denitrification; Dissolved organic carbon; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Environmental Science and Engineering; Exact sciences and technology; Floodplains; Geochemistry; Geology; Hydrology/Water Resources; Marine and continental quaternary; molecular weight; Nitrates; Nutrient removal; Organic acids; organic acids and salts; Organic chemistry; Original Article; rivers; Soil types; Soils; Surficial geology; Terrestrial Pollution; Zea mays; Southern Europe; Italy; Po River; Europe; Italy, Po R; Maize; Nitrate; Acetate; Suction cups; Soil type; suction; concentration; nitrates; denitrification; organic acids; acetate; floodplains; soils; dissolved organic carbon; organic carbon
• ISSN: 1866-6280; 1866-6299
• DOI: 10.1007/s12665-012-1796-7

This study focuses on the factors affecting nitrate removal via microbial denitrification in agricultural soils, and particularly on the quantity and quality of dissolved organic carbon. To assess the relationship among dissolved organic carbon, nitrate and low molecular weight organic acids (acetate and formate), grids of ceramic suction cups were established in the four most representative soil types of the lower Po River floodplain, cropped with maize. Results highlighted a direct relation between acetate and dissolved organic carbon in all sites. The best fit was obtained in soils were the main source of organic carbon was the maize residues. By comparing dissolved organic carbon and acetate versus nitrate concentration revealed that acetate can be used as a better proxy for denitrification in the field with respect to dissolved organic carbon.