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Related Concept Videos

Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism01:20

Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism

Nitrogen is a very important element for life because it is a major constituent of proteins and nucleic acids. It is a macronutrient, and in nature, it is recycled from organic compounds and stored in the form of  ammonia, ammonium ions, nitrate, nitrite, or  nitrogen gas by many metabolic processes. Many of these metabolic processes are carried out only by prokaryotes.
The largest pool of nitrogen available in the terrestrial ecosystem is gaseous nitrogen (N2) from the air, but this nitrogen...
Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation01:22

Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation

Nitrogen is an essential element in biological systems, forming a crucial component of proteins, nucleic acids, and other cellular constituents. Many bacteria and archaea acquire nitrogen in the form of nitrate (NO₃⁻) or ammonia (NH₃), which are then assimilated into biomolecules through specific enzymatic pathways.Assimilatory Nitrate ReductionWhen nitrate enters the cell, it undergoes a two-step reduction process known as assimilatory nitrate reduction. Initially, the enzyme nitrate reductase...
The Nitrogen Cycle01:49

The Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen atoms, present in all proteins and DNA, are recycled between abiotic and biotic components of the ecosystem. However, the primary form of nitrogen on Earth is nitrogen gas, which cannot be used by most animals and plants. Thus, nitrogen gas must first be converted into a usable form by nitrogen-fixing bacteria before it can be cycled through other living organisms. The use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers and animal waste products in human agriculture has greatly influenced the...
Primary Production01:06

Primary Production

The total amount of energy acquired by primary producers in an ecosystem is called gross primary production (GPP). However, of this energy, producers use some for metabolic processes, and some is lost as heat, decreasing the amount of energy available to the next trophic level. The remaining usable amount of energy is called the net primary productivity (NPP). In terrestrial ecosystems, NPP is driven by climate, while light penetration and nutrient availability drive NPP in aquatic ecosystems.
Mass Spectrometry: Isotope Effect01:13

Mass Spectrometry: Isotope Effect

Most elements exist in nature as a mixture of isotopes. The isotopes differ in weight due to their respective number of neutrons. The molecular weight of a molecule is different depending on the specific isotope of its elements involved. As a result, the mass spectrum of the molecule exhibits peaks from the same fragment at multiple positions. The positions of these mass signals depend on the mass differences between isotopes. Furthermore, the intensity of these signals is dependent on the...
Isotopes01:12

Isotopes

Elements have a set number of protons that determines their atomic number (Z). For example, all atoms with eight protons are oxygen; however, the number of neutrons can vary for atoms of the same element. The sum of the number of protons and the number of neutrons is the mass number (A). Atoms with the same atomic number but different mass numbers are called isotopes. Elements can have multiple isotopes, for example, carbon-12, carbon-13, and carbon-14.
An element's atomic mass, or weight, is a...

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Understanding Dissolved Organic Matter Biogeochemistry Through In Situ Nutrient Manipulations in Stream Ecosystems
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Understanding Dissolved Organic Matter Biogeochemistry Through In Situ Nutrient Manipulations in Stream Ecosystems

Published on: October 29, 2016

Nitrogen stable isotopes in primary uptake compartments across streams differing in nutrient availability.

Ada Pastor1, Marc Peipoch, Lídia Cañas

  • 1Departament d'Ecologia, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona , Av. Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.

Environmental Science & Technology
|August 13, 2013
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Summary

Nitrogen stable isotope variability in aquatic primary uptake compartments (PUCs) is linked to their location and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) forms. Nutrient concentrations further refine predictions of these nitrogen isotope values.

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09:38

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Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O
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Automated, High-resolution Mobile Collection System for the Nitrogen Isotopic Analysis of NOx

Published on: December 20, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Environmental chemistry
  • Ecology
  • Stable isotope biogeochemistry

Background:

  • High variability in nitrogen stable isotopes (δ(15)N) in aquatic primary uptake compartments (PUCs) is observed in human-impacted ecosystems.
  • The drivers of this δ(15)N variability in PUCs remain poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between PUC δ(15)N and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) species (nitrate, ammonium).
  • To assess the influence of stream nutrient concentrations on PUC δ(15)N.
  • To understand the factors controlling δ(15)N variability in PUCs across a river network with varying human impact.

Main Methods:

  • Studied 25 river reaches across the La Tordera catchment (NE Spain) with a gradient of human pressures.
  • Collected samples of different PUC types (epilithon, algae, bryophytes, macrophytes) and DIN species.
  • Analyzed δ(15)N in PUCs and DIN, alongside stream nutrient concentrations.

Main Results:

  • PUC δ(15)N variability was primarily explained by river network location and strongly correlated with DIN δ(15)N, particularly ammonium.
  • Models were more robust for PUCs directly utilizing streamwater nutrients.
  • Incorporating nutrient concentrations improved predictive models for PUC δ(15)N.

Conclusions:

  • River network position and DIN isotopic composition are key factors controlling PUC δ(15)N.
  • Nutrient concentrations and stoichiometry play a significant role in regulating nitrogen isotope natural abundance in PUCs.
  • Findings enhance the application of stable isotopes as ecological tools in aquatic ecosystems.