Nitrogen dynamics in arctic riparian soils characterized by low organic matter content but high N bioavailability

We investigated the spatial variability in soil concentration of N species and transformation processes in riparian soils of two pristine arctic rivers located in Finland and Greenland. We combined measurements of in-situ nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes and N2O production in soil incubations with 15N labeling techniques that quantify gross N mineralization and nitrification, the potential for N2O production by denitrification, and the potential rate of dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA).