Date of Award:
5-1975
Document Type:
Thesis
Degree Name:
Master of Science (MS)
Department:
Biology
Department name when degree awarded
Bacteriology and Public Health
Committee Chair(s)
Donald B. Porcella (Committee Co-Chair), Frederick J. Post (Committee Co-Chair)
Committee
Donald B. Porcella
Committee
Frederick J. Post
Committee
John J. Skuljins
Committee
Joel E. Fletcher
Abstract
Nitrogen fixation, as measured by the acetylene-ethylene assay, in the surface soils of southern Curlew Valley, Utah-Idaho was studied. The removal of nitrogen from the surface soil by precipitation runoff water was also studied, and the role of the soil-algae crust in preventing erosive loss of nitrogen was evaluated.
Nitrogen fixation during the study year was estimated to be less than 10 kg/ha. This level is probably sufficient to maintain steady-state on an annual basis in standing crop nitrogen in this environment.
Well structured, lichenous crusts had improved infiltration of precipitation and lowered erosive loss of nitrogen. Poorly structured and lichen free crusts were more susceptible to erosive nitrogen loss. Precipitation runoff water removal of nitrogen produced no measurable change in total nitrogen in any of the soils studied.
Checksum
75d5bec86be4fcd0a70559b9730b2ff1
Recommended Citation
Sorensen, Darwin LeVoy, "In Situ Nitrogen Fixation in Cold Desert Soil-Algae Crust in Northern Utah" (1975). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 4316.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/4316
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