• Media type: E-Article
  • Title: Nitrogen input into Sphagnum bogs via horizontal deposition: an estimate for N-polluted high-elevation sites
  • Contributor: Novak, Martin; Veselovsky, Frantisek; Curik, Jan; Stepanova, Marketa; Fottova, Daniela; Prechova, Eva; Myska, Oldrich
  • Published: Springer, 2015
  • Published in: Biogeochemistry
  • Extent: 307-312
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1573-515X; 0168-2563
  • Keywords: SHORT COMMUNICATION
  • Abstract: <p>Elevated atmospheric deposition of reactive nitrogen species, mainly nitrate (NO₃⁻) and ammonium (NH₄⁺), may negatively affect peatland carbon balance and thus contribute to climatic warming. It is difficult to take an accurate inventory of atmospheric N inputs into Sphagnum-dominated bogs, due to uncertainties in estimating horizontal deposition. At two mountain-top peat bogs (Czech Republic, Central Europe), we modelled N interception by replacing S. cuspidatum capitula with polyethylene (PE) strands of an identical surface area. After a 12-week exposure of the samplers to frequent spring and autumn fogs, we compared the amount of N captured by the PE strands (nitrate, ammonium, and organic N) with vertical N deposition via rainfall. Horizontal deposition added 35–69 % N to rainfall N input. The more polluted site exhibited a significantly higher horizontal N deposition than the less polluted site. We scaled our S. cuspidatum data to S. capillifolium, a species common in boreal regions in the form of densely packed carpets. Assuming a proportional decrease in N interception with decreasing Sphagnum surface, we estimated that horizontal deposition in S. capillifolium would add 12–45 % N to rainfall N input. Our data will help to close the N mass balance in peat bogs studies.</p>
  • Description: <p>Elevated atmospheric deposition of reactive nitrogen species, mainly nitrate (NO₃⁻) and ammonium (NH₄⁺), may negatively affect peatland carbon balance and thus contribute to climatic warming. It is difficult to take an accurate inventory of atmospheric N inputs into Sphagnum-dominated bogs, due to uncertainties in estimating horizontal deposition. At two mountain-top peat bogs (Czech Republic, Central Europe), we modelled N interception by replacing S. cuspidatum capitula with polyethylene (PE) strands of an identical surface area. After a 12-week exposure of the samplers to frequent spring and autumn fogs, we compared the amount of N captured by the PE strands (nitrate, ammonium, and organic N) with vertical N deposition via rainfall. Horizontal deposition added 35–69 % N to rainfall N input. The more polluted site exhibited a significantly higher horizontal N deposition than the less polluted site. We scaled our S. cuspidatum data to S. capillifolium, a species common in boreal regions in the form of densely packed carpets. Assuming a proportional decrease in N interception with decreasing Sphagnum surface, we estimated that horizontal deposition in S. capillifolium would add 12–45 % N to rainfall N input. Our data will help to close the N mass balance in peat bogs studies.</p>
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