HR: 0800h
AN: H51C-0652    [Abstracts]
TI: The Role of Vegetation on Elevated Soil Nitrate Concentrations in Northern Nevada
AU: * Parratt, R T
EM: rparratt@hotmail.com
AF: University of Nevada Reno, University of Nevada Reno MS-175, Reno, Nv 89557, United States
AU: Menon, M
EM: mmenon@unr.edu
AF: University of Nevada Reno, University of Nevada Reno MS-175, Reno, Nv 89557, United States
AU: Kropf, C
EM: ckropf@washoecounty.us
AF: Washoe County Department of Water Resources, 4930 Energy Way, Reno, Nv 89502, United States
AU: Tyler, S
EM: tylers@unr.edu
AF: University of Nevada Reno, University of Nevada Reno MS-175, Reno, Nv 89557, United States
AB: Soil profiles in the Spanish Springs area of Reno, Nevada have indicated high concentration of nitrate 2-3 meters below the soil surface. The main vegetation of the area is sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata) and rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus) with ground water depth varying from very deep (~ 28-30 m) to very shallow (~3m). We are investigating the interaction of vegetation with the elevated soil nitrate at these locations. Root samples were collected from 4 different locations (three sites with deep ground water and one with shallow ground water, with rabbitbrush population) 15 cm depth up to a depth of 45-60 cm using a root auger. Physio-chemical properties of soil were analyzed and leaf elemental status was determined. Our initial analyses indicate that the higher C:N in conjunction with shallow groundwater supports a higher root density with greater denitrification potential. Also indicated from this initial analysis is the absence of significant distinction between sites in relation to the sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata) and rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus) plant leaf nitrate concentrations. Preliminary conclusions indicate that nitrate levels in soil are directly influenced by groundwater levels which also appear to directly influence the C:N in the soil and the potential denitrification. Future work will include lysimiter experimentation within the laboratory which will focus on understanding the nitrate uptake by the local plants. Seasonal change in plant nitrate uptake and denitrification of the soil is also planned for the selected sites.
DE: 1813 Eco-hydrology
DE: 1851 Plant ecology (0476)
DE: 1865 Soils (0486)
DE: 1875 Vadose zone
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting