Articles | Volume 23, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-497-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-497-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
BG Letters
| Highlight paper
| 
20 Jan 2026
BG Letters | Highlight paper |
| 20 Jan 2026
| 20 Jan 2026
A novel laser-based spectroscopic method reveals the isotopic signatures of nitrous oxide produced by eukaryotic and prokaryotic phototrophs in darkness
Maxence Plouviez
Cawthron Institute, Nelson, 7010, Aotearoa New Zealand
Peter Sperlich
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand
Benoit Guieysse
BG Bioprocess Consulting, Palmerston North 4410, Aotearoa New Zealand
Tim Clough
Lincoln University, Lincoln, 7647, Aotearoa New Zealand
Rahul Peethambaran
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand
Naomi Wells
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Lincoln University, Lincoln, 7647, Aotearoa New Zealand
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Co-editor-in-chief
In aquatic ecosystems, the production of nitrous oxide (N2O), an important greenhouse gas, was until recently mostly ascribed to the activity of nitrifiers and denitrifiers. Recent research has revealed that a range of other organisms are also capable of producing N2O, but quantifying their contribution has remained challenging. Plouviez et al. present a novel approach based on the stable nitrogen and oxygen isotope composition of N2O, combined with the intramolecular distribution of 15N ("site preference"). They found that various microalgae grown in darkness present distinct stable isotope patterns, which paves the way for improving our ability to distinguish the contribution of different microbial groups to N2O production in aquatic ecosystems.
In aquatic ecosystems, the production of nitrous oxide (N2O), an important greenhouse gas, was...
Short summary
We present a new method for the accurate laser-based analysis of N2O isotopes. For the first time, we measured the Site Preference-N2O signatures of pure cultures of microalgae and cyanobacteria. Our study is a first step to ultimately develop process-specific N2O monitoring from aquatic ecosystems. Further research is now needed to determine the occurrence and significance of N2O emissions from microalgae and cyanobacteria from aquatic ecosystems.
We present a new method for the accurate laser-based analysis of N2O isotopes. For the first...
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