• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.160-164
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• 1999

Subsurface environments, including the intermediate vadose zone and aquifers, may be contributing to increased atmospheric concentrations of $N_2$O. Denitrification appears to be the major source of $N_2$O in the subsurface environment. In the intermediate vadose zone, the level of denitrifying activity is dependent on the soil morphology, particularly stratified layers within the soil profile, which impede water and solute movement and create conditions favorable for denitrification. Movement of organic C from the soil surface appears to support denitrifying activity by providing an energy source and increasing the consumption of $O_2$. Denitrirication and $N_2$O production have been observed in aquifers but appear to be of greatest significance in shallow unconfined aquifers. The lack of organic C, N $O_2$, or anaerobiosis is often a limiting factor for activity but seems to be site specific. The presence of denitrifying bacteria does not appear to be a major limitation, based on published results, but the ubiquity of denitrifiers in subsurface environments needs to be confirmed. The fate of the $N_2$O produced in subsurface environments is unknown. Transport of $N_2$O by up ward diffusion, by outgassing at contacts with surface waters, and by ground water use need to be quantified to determine the contribution to atmospheric $N_2$O. Contamination of subsurface environment with N $O_3$$^{ }$ and organics has the potential for increasing the contribution to atmospheric $N_2$O by enhancing denitrification .