An Examination of the Inorganic Nitrogen Status of a Soil of the Alaskan Coastal Tundra Plain

Author

Norton R. Munn, Utah State University

Date of Award:

5-1972

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Plants, Soils, and Climate

Department name when degree awarded

Soil Science and Biometeorology

Committee Chair(s)

A. R. Southard

Committee

A. R. Southard

Committee

David W. James

Committee

John J. Skujins

Abstract

This experiment was designed to measure in situ concentrations of NH₄⁺ and NO₃^--N in a soil of the arctic coastal tundra plain, to determine if nitrification was taking place in this soil and to determine if the vascular plants growing in this soil could assimilate NH₄⁺-N.

The extractable NH₄⁺-N concentration was approximately 40 μg/g in the 0₁ horizon and 10 μg/g in the 0₂ horizon. The NO₃^--N concentration was approximately 5 μg/g in the 0¹ horizon and 4 μg/g in the 0₂ horizon.

The presence of NO₃^--N in this soil indicates that nitrification is taking place but perfusion experiments indicate that it is not bacterial nitrification. Fungi may be responsible for nitrification in this soil.

Corex aquatilis, a common plant in the study area, was found to readily assimilate NH₄⁺-N as well as NO₃^--N.

Checksum

52d0fdcfc579ac2f246f5f7e60b72eea

Recommended Citation

Munn, Norton R., "An Examination of the Inorganic Nitrogen Status of a Soil of the Alaskan Coastal Tundra Plain" (1972). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 3543.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/3543