Blockage and recovery of nitrification in soils exposed to acetylene

Authors

Steven J. Burns, Brigham Young University
Richard E. Terry, Brigham Young University

Abstract

Acetylene gas is very useful in laboratory and in situ assay procedures for nitrogen fixation and denitrification. There is concern, however, that measurements of denitrification may be underestimated because nitrification, a major source of nitrate, is inhibited by C₂H₂. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of C₂H₂ partial pressure and length of exposure time on nitrification in soils. Acetylene partial pressures of 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 kPa were found to effectively inhibit nitrification in soil samples incubated in the laboratory. Both the partial pressure of C₂H₂ and the length of exposure time were found to affect the recovery time of nitrification in soil samples. Nitrification recovered within seven days in samples exposed to 0.1 and 1.0 kPa C₂H₂ for only 24 hours. The recovery of nitrification in samples exposed to 10.0 kPa C₂H₂ for 24 hours or to 0.1 and 1.0 kPa C₂H₂ for 216 hours was delayed for an additional seven days, however.

Recommended Citation

Burns, Steven J. and Terry, Richard E. (1986) "Blockage and recovery of nitrification in soils exposed to acetylene," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 46: No. 2, Article 25.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol46/iss2/25