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The Effect of Soil Redox Potential and pH on the Reduction and Production of Nitrous Oxide¹

ABSTRACT

Experiments were conducted in controlled redox systems to assess the effects of pH and E_h on N₂O reduction and production. Soil/water suspensions (ratio 1:3) were incubated at pH 5, 6, 7 and 8.5, and the redox potential (E_h) was controlled at selected potentials between –200 and +350 mV. Maximum N₂O reduction was measured at pH 6 and 7. The critical E_h for N₂O reduction and production occurred at +250 mV for pH 6, 7, and 8.5, and +300 mV for pH 5. Although N₂O reduction began at a higher potential at pH 5, the rate of reduction was slightly lower under anoxic conditions at this pH. Alkaline conditions did not change the critical redox potential, but the rate of N₂O reduction was lower. The data also demonstrate that soil can act as a sink for N₂O under anoxic conditions.

Key Words: denitrification • N₂O reduction

¹ Contribution from Laboratory for Wetland Soils and Sediments, Center for Wetland Resources, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803.

² Assistant Professor, Research Associate, and Boyd Professor, respectively.

Received for publication April 15, 1982.