Detection of heterocyclic N compounds in whole soils using N-XANES spectroscopy

The nitrogen (N) cycle is second in importance only to the carbon (C) cycle in natural ecosystems. However, the origin and nature of approximately one-third of total soil N remains poorly understood. We used N-XANES (X-ray absorption near edge structure) spectroscopy, a sensitive, non-destructive sy...

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Published inCanadian journal of soil science Vol. 84; no. 3; pp. 291 - 293
Main Authors Jokic, A, Cutler, J.N, Anderson, D.W, Walley, F.L
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published 01.08.2004
Subjects
amides
Gleysolic soils
heterocyclic nitrogen compounds
nitrogen K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy
soil chemistry
spectral analysis
wetland soils
Saskatchewan
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Summary:The nitrogen (N) cycle is second in importance only to the carbon (C) cycle in natural ecosystems. However, the origin and nature of approximately one-third of total soil N remains poorly understood. We used N-XANES (X-ray absorption near edge structure) spectroscopy, a sensitive, non-destructive synchrotron-based analytical technique, to determine the organic N structures in selected Gleysolic soils of Saskatchewan. Initial results indicate the presence of amide structures and heterocyclic N compounds, which are significant in understanding the transformation of organic N moieties in the soil, both in terms of sources of bio-available N and long-term storage. Key words: Unknown N, amides, heterocyclic N compounds, wetland soils, N-XANES spectroscopy
ISSN:0008-4271
1918-1841
DOI:10.4141/S03-094