Abiotic Gas Formation Drives Nitrogen Loss from a Desert Ecosystem
Carmody K. McCalley* and
Jed P. Sparks
In arid environments such as deserts, nitrogen is often the
most limiting nutrient for biological activity. The majority
of the ecosystem nitrogen flux is typically thought to be driven
by production and loss of reactive nitrogen species by microorganisms
in the soil. We found that high soil-surface temperatures (greater
than 50°C), driven by solar radiation, are the primary cause
of nitrogen loss in Mojave Desert soils. This abiotic pathway
not only enables the balancing of arid ecosystem nitrogen budgets,
but also changes our view of global nitrogen cycling and the
predicted impact of climate change and increased temperatures
on nitrogen bioavailability.
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: ckm27{at}cornell.edu
