Seasonal phosphatase activity in three characteristic soils of the English uplands polluted by long-term atmospheric nitrogen deposition.
Phosphomonoesterase activities were determined monthly during a seasonal cycle in three characteristic soil types of the English uplands that have been subject to long-term atmospheric nitrogen deposition. Activities (micromol para-nitrophenol g(-1) soil dry wt. h(-1)) ranged between 83.9 and 307 in a blanket peat (total carbon 318 mg g(-1). pH 3.9), 45.2-86.4 in an acid organic grassland soil (total carbon 354 mg g(-1), pH 3.7) and 10.4-21.1 in a calcareous grassland soil (total carbon 140 mg g(-1) pH 7.3). These are amongst the highest reported soil phosphomonoesterase activities and confirm the strong biological phosphorus limitation in this environment.
Turner
Benjamin L
BL
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Durham, UK. bturner@nwisrl.ars.usda.gov
Baxter
Robert
R
Whitton
Brian A
BA
D004739:England; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis*; D012621:Seasons; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*
D012989:Soil Pollutants; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; D009584:Nitrogen