Articles | Volume 23, issue 21
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-7661-2026
© 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-23-7661-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Nitrous oxide dynamics across nitrogen and pH gradients in headwater streams
Mette V. Carstensen
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
Annelies J. Veraart
Department of Ecology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
Ida F. Peterse
Department of Ecology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
Nicole Wrage-Mönnig
Grassland and Fodder Sciences, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
Joachim Audet
Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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This work focused on the CH4 and N2O emissions from alpine peatlands in response to the interactive effects of altered water table levels and increased nitrogen deposition. Across the 2-year mesocosm experiment, nitrogen deposition showed nonlinear effects on CH4 emissions and linear effects on N2O emissions, and these N effects were associated with the water table levels. Our results imply the future scenario of strengthened CH4 and N2O emissions from an alpine peatland.
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Short summary
We studied seventy-two small streams to understand why some release more nitrous oxide, a powerful greenhouse gas, than others. By measuring water chemistry and physical factors across seasons, we found a strong positive association between nitrate and nitrous oxide levels, especially in acidic waters. Overall, these results show that managing nitrogen in sensitive landscapes might reduce climate impacts.
We studied seventy-two small streams to understand why some release more nitrous oxide, a...
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