Distribution of Nitrogen Fixed in Desert Algal-Crusts

Mayland, H.F. and McIntosh, T.H. (1966) Distribution of Nitrogen Fixed in Desert Algal-Crusts. Soil Science Society of America Proceedings. 30(5):606-609.

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Abstract

Fixation of isotopically labeled N₂ by desert algal crust organisms
was very rapid after initial wetting of crusts. After 8 days
of incubation, a steady rate of fixation was reached which
continued for 152 days.

The initial distribution of N was 4% extracellular NH₄, 16%
acid-hydrolyzable NH₄ (included extracellular NH₄), 41% ⍺
amino acid, hexosamine, 29% acid-hydrolyzable but unidentified,
and 11% nonhydrolyzable. After 21 days of incubation
the distribution of total N was 2, 18, 42, 2, 28 and 11%, respectively.
The distribution of excess N¹⁶ after 21 days of incubation
was trace, 12, 51, 2, 29 and 7% for the respective fractions.
Continued incubation had little effect on the relative distribution
of N in the several fractions.

Item Type:	Article
NWISRL Publication Number:	0039
Subjects:	Soil > Chemistry > Nitrogen Mass Import - autoclassified (may be erroneous)
Depositing User:	Dan Stieneke
Date Deposited:	20 Nov 2010 21:51
Last Modified:	02 Feb 2017 16:43
Item ID:	335
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/335