Diazotrophs related to nitrous oxide fixation (samples collected from experimental ponds)
The primary goal is to characterize the fundamental microbial ecology and biogeochemical significance of N2O-fixation as a sink for N2O in cold, oligotrophic environments. We conducted comprehensive sampling of biomass and sediments from both natural waters (lakes and streams) and our experimental ponds previously reported as sink for N2O through direct N2O fixation. Through RNA extraction and nifH-targeted sequencing, we correlated N2O uptake with a specific subset of the diazotroph community and identified candidate N2O-fixers.