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TitleNitrogen and sulphur input and accumulation in continental ombrotrophic peatland ecosystems in Alberta, Canada
Publication TypeThesis
Year of Publication2008
AuthorsBurke-Scholl, M. J.
IssueM. S.
Pagination100
Place PublishedVillanova University
Publication Languageen
Keywordsnutrient cycles
Abstract

Models predict increases in N and S deposition in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region of Alberta that often exceed critical load values for sensitive ecosystems. I used 10 bog sites within a modeled deposition gradient to assess current SO42- , NO3- , and NH 4+ deposition rates compared to historical N and S accumulations. There were no spatial patterns in NO3- , NH 4+ , total inorganic N, and SO42- deposition rates, and deposition from all sites were low and not above predicted background levels. There were also no spatial patterns in C, N, and S accumulation data. An interesting pattern persisted across all sites: data showed substantially more peat N accumulation than can be accounted for through atmospheric deposition alone. I examined whether biological N2 fixation could be an additional source and found evidence of nitrogenase activity in all bryophyte communities sampled. This phenomenon may represent a previously underestimated source of N to boreal bogs.

URLhttp://search.proquest.com/docview/193991476
Topics

Biology

Locational Keywords

Athabasca Oil Sands

Group

Science

Citation Key48860

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