Inorganic nitrogen metabolism in marine bacteria: Nitrate uptake and reduction in a marine pseudomonad

Growth experiments in batch cultures indicated that the uptake of nitrate by the marine pseudomonad PL1 was inhibited in the presence of ammonia provided that the ammonia concentration was higher than 1 mM. At ammonia concentrations of less than about 1 mM, however, both nitrate and ammonia were utilised simultaneously. The saturation constants for nitrate and ammonia uptake were both 2.6x10^-4 M, and similar to the Michaelis constants of nitrate reductase for nitrate (2.9x10^-4 M) and glutamine synthetase for ammonia (2x10^-4 M). Nitrate reductase activity linked to NADH was detected in chemostat-grown cultures with nitrate as nitrogen source, and in cultures containing limiting concentrations of nitrate and ammonia, ammonia or glutamate. Enzyme synthesis appeared to be repressed in cultures containing an excess of ammonia or glutamate. Chemostat cultures utilised ammonia or glutamate in preference to nitrate, while there was no marked preference between ammonia and glutamate.     

灌淤土施氮后土壤硝态氮的动态变化

通过室内模拟试验,探讨不同水分条件下灌淤土施用不同氮肥后硝态氮随时间的变化规律,并在田间条件下,测定不同氮肥形态和数量对土壤硝态氮含量的影响。灌淤土施氮后土壤硝态氮含量变化与土壤含水量及氮肥种类有关。施肥9d后,土壤中的硝态氮迅速增加;土壤水分低于田间持水量的50%或水分过饱和都明显影响灌淤土的硝化作用;施用大颗粒尿素产生的硝态氮最少,淋失或流失的几率小。灌淤土土体中硝态氮的残留与施氮种类及数量有直接关系。施肥使土壤表层硝态氮显著增加,施用大颗粒尿素尤为突出,但施大颗粒尿素后,60cm土体中残留的硝态氮总量最少。随着施氮量增加,表层土体中硝态氮含量增加。合理的施肥水平一般不会造成硝态氮的大量累积,而过量施氮则导致硝态氮明显积累,对通气透水性好的灌淤土,容易造成硝态氮淋失。     

Nitrate levels in fresh vegetables and berries from central Japan

Nitrate concentrations in 326 recent vegetables and berries sold in Niigata, located in central Japan, were investigated. Maximum nitrate concentrations of 6600 mg kg^?1 were detected in samples of komatsuna (Brassica campestris var. perviridis) and mizuna (B. campestris L.). Mean concentrations ranged from 4 mg kg^?1(blueberry) to 3500 mg kg^?1 (mizuna). Concentrations in spinach ranged from 10 to 6000 mg kg^?1 (mean 1500 mg kg^?1). Nitrate intake from spinach and Japanese radish (Raphanus sativus) were estimated to be 0.7 and 0.8 mg kg^?1 day^?1, respectively. These values are equivalent to 19% and 23% of the acceptable daily intake (ADI). Nitrate intake at the 90th percentile was estimated to be 1.3 mg kg^?1 day^?1 (35% of the ADI) from spinach and 1.6 mg kg^?1 day^?1 (43% of the ADI) from Japanese radish.     

Electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate using Pd-Cu modified carbon nanotube membranes

● Pd-Cu modified CNT membranes were prepared successfully by electrodeposition method. ● The deposition voltage and deposition time were optimized for Pd-Cu co-deposition. ● NO₃⁻-N was removed efficiently from water by Pd-Cu modified CNT membranes. ● The presence of dissolved oxygen did not affect the nitrate reduction performance. ● Mass transfer rate was promoted significantly with the increase in membrane flux. Excessive nitrate in water is harmful to the ecological environment and human health. Electrocatalytic reduction is a promising technology for nitrate removal. Herein, a Pd-Cu modified carbon nanotube membrane was fabricated with an electrodeposition method and used to reduce nitrate in a flow-through electrochemical reactor. The optimal potential and duration for codeposition of Pd and Cu were −0.7 V and 5 min, respectively, according to linear scan voltammetry results. The membrane obtained with a Pd:Cu ratio of 1:1 exhibited a relatively high nitrate removal efficiency and N₂ selectivity. Nitrate was almost completely reduced (~99 %) by the membrane at potentials lower than −1.2 V. However, −0.8 V was the optimal potential for nitrate reduction in terms of both nitrate removal efficiency and product selectivity. The nitrate removal efficiency was 56.2 %, and the N₂ selectivity was 23.8 % for the Pd:Cu=1:1 membrane operated at −0.8 V. Nitrate removal was enhanced under acidic conditions, while N₂ selectivity was decreased. The concentrations of Cl⁻ ions and dissolved oxygen showed little effect on nitrate reduction. The mass transfer rate constant was greatly improved by 6.6 times from 1.14 × 10⁻³ m/h at a membrane flux of 1 L/(m²·h) to 8.71 × 10⁻³ m/h at a membrane flux of 15 L/(m²·h), which resulted in a significant increase in the nitrate removal rate from 13.6 to 133.5 mg/(m²·h). These findings show that the Pd-Cu modified CNT membrane is an efficient material for nitrate reduction.     

In-situ measurements of nitrogenous nutrient uptake by kelp (Ecklonia maxima) and phytoplankton in a nitrate-rich upwelling environment

Nitrogen uptake by the kelp Ecklonia maxima Osbeck and phytoplankton was examined under different conditions of nutrient availability in a kelp bed off the Cape of Good Hope by measuring nutrient depletion in large plastic bags by the kelp and ¹⁵N uptake by phytoplankton. E. maxima took up nitrate and ammonia, but not urea, and showed only a weak preference for reduced nitrogen. Phytoplankton absorbed all three forms of nitrogen available, with a preference for ammonia and urea. Ambient nitrate concentration exhibited a marked and rapid decrease with northerly winds and an increase in response to offshore southerly winds. Nitrogen uptake by E. maxima was linearly related to ambient concentration and did not saturate even at nitrate concentrations >20g-at N l^-1, resulting in a significantly higher tissue nitrogen content under upwelling conditions. Nitrate imported by upwelling was the chief source of nitrogen utilised within the kelp bed. Locally regenerated nitrogen (ammonia and urea) was calculated to contribute only ca 4% of total nitrogen uptake during upwelling and 30% during the relaxation or downwelling phase.     

Regulation of nitrate and ammonium uptake in the Greenland Sea

The uptake of nitrate and ammonium was investigated experimentally during early spring 1989 in the Greenland Sea, with particular attention placed on the roles of irradiance, nitrogen concentrations and nitrateammonium interactions. The phytoplankton assemblage was dominated by the colonial prymnesiophyte Phaeocystis pouchetii. Nitrate concentrations ranged from undetectable at the end of the cruise to greater than 10 M, and ammonium levels ranged from less than 0.1 to 1.9M. The uptake of both nitrate and ammonium as a function of irradiance was found to be a saturation response. Photoinhibition occurred and was found to be greater for ammonium uptake. Ammonium uptake also saturated at irradiance levels five times lower than those needed to saturate nitrate uptake. Nitrate and ammonium uptake as a function of nitrogen concentration also was characterized by a saturation response, with the estimated half-saturation constant (K _s) value for nitrate uptake being 0.29 M. Elevated ammonium concentrations inhibited nitrate uptake, and the response appeared to be one of exponential decrease with increasing concentrations of ammonium. The most important factor in the Greenland Sea influencing ammonium uptake during the spring was irradiace, while both irradiance and ammonium concentrations played major roles in regulating nitrate uptake and new production.     

Nitrogen uptake kinetics in three year-classes of Laminaria groenlandica (Laminariales: Phaeophyta)

Nitrate and ammonium uptake rates were measured for three year-classes of the perennial macrophyte Laminaria groenlandica Rosenvinge, collected from nitrogen-depleted waters in Barkley Sound, British Columbia, Canada, in summer 1981. A time course of uptake rate revealed that ammonium uptake was high during the first hour and then decreased for all three year-classes; the opposite pattern was exhibited for the time course of nitrate uptake rate. Nitrate uptake rate increased linearly with nitrate concentration up to the highest level tested (60 M). The nitrate uptake rate of first-year plants was three times higher than second- and third-year plants; ammonium uptake rates showed similar patterns to those for nitrate. The interaction between nitrate and ammonium was examined for first-year plants. Nitrate and ammonium were taken up simultaneously and uptake rates were identical and equal to uptake rates when only nitrate or ammonium was present in the medium. Therefore, first-year plants are able to take up twice as much inorganic nitrogen per unit time when both nitrate and ammonium are present. First-year plants showed significant diel periodicity in ammonium uptake rates, whereas second- and third-year plants showed no periodicity in nitrate or ammonium uptake rates.     

Contribution of Nitrogen Species to the Surface Aquifers of Volcanic Areas: The Island of Vulcano (Italy)

Ammonium and nitrate concentrations have been investigated in water samples from the wells in the island of Vulcano, (Italy). Systematic observations, extended over a period of five years, have verified different trends in the changing concentrations of both species. Nitrate ion is considered as contributed to the unconfined upper ground aquifer by the surface environment, while for ammonium ion a deep origin appears more likely. Significant changes in the activity of the volcanic system appear to affect the distribution of ammonium only, while nitrate levels do not display any important variation.     

肥料组合对生菜硝酸盐和重金属的影响

通过田间试验研究了不同肥料组合处理对生菜硝酸盐和重金属累积的影响。结果表明，加施复合剂的3个处理对生菜硝酸盐的降低效果较好，其中施用双氰胺的组合处理在3个生长时期的降低幅度分别为24％、20．1％、65．4％，降低作用均为最大；施用植物材料处理的生菜Hg质量分数最大，高磷组合处理生菜的Cr、Cd、As和Pb质量分数最大，过磷酸钙增加了Cr、Cd、As和Pb的有效性，氯化钾对重金属影响不明显；仅加施微量元素和施用双氰胺组合处理的卫生品质最好，高磷组合处理卫生品质最差。     

Nitrogen uptake and growth of the germlings and mature thalli of Fucus distichus

Fucus distichus L. was collected near Vancouver, Canada, in late fall and early winter, 1981. The effects of the forms of nitrogen (nitrate, ammonium or urea) and periodic exposure to air on growth, rhizoid development and nitrogen uptake in germlings was investigated. Gamete release, fertilization, germination and germling growth had no requirement for a specific form of nitrogen. Periodic exposure to air increased secondary rhizoid development twofold. Nitrate and ammonium uptake rates of the germlings were higher than for the mature thalli (20 to 40 times for nitrate and 8 times for ammonium), while the halfsaturation constant (K _s) values for nitrate were similar (1 to 5 M). The germlings showed saturable uptake kinetics but the mature thalli did not. When germlings were exposed to air it caused a 70% decrease in nitrate uptake, but not change in ammonium uptake. Ammonium uptake in the mature thalli was proportional to the ambient ammonium concentration. Nitrate uptake in the mature thalli appeared to follow saturation kinetics at low nitrate concentrations, but showed a non-saturable component at concentrations greater than 10 M. Presence of ammonium inhibited nitrate uptake by the mature plants but not by the germlings.     

Nitrate metabolism in abyssal waters

Activities of nitrate assimilation and nitrate reduction were measured 50 cm above the ocean floor (5,845 m and 5,207 m) by an in situ ¹⁵N tracer technique at stations in the subtropical (28°29.8′N; 144°58′E) and subarctic (44°10.2′N; 154°03′E) western North Pacific Ocean. Nitrate assimilation ranged from 0.009 to 0.11 μg-at N/1/day, and nitrate reduction from 0 to 0.42 μg-at N/1/day in the presence of added peptone and yeast extract. Nitrate assimilation was higher than nitrite formation at the southern station, but the reverse was the case at the subarctic station. No correlation was observed between bacterial growth and nitrate metabolizing activities. Data are also presented on the effect of hydrostatic pressures upon nitrate metabolism by microbial populations in the surface waters.     

营养盐浓度对中肋骨条藻优势种群富集多溴联苯醚的影响

以中肋骨条藻（Skeletonema costatum）和东海原甲藻（Prorocentrum donghaiense）组成中肋骨条藻优势种群的海洋微藻为研究对象,以我国近海水体中存在的3种丰度较高的多溴联苯醚同系物为代表,包括2,4,4＇-三溴联苯醚（BDE-28）、2,2’,4,4’-四溴联苯醚（BDE-47）和2,2＇,4,4＇,5-五溴联苯醚（BDE-99）,研究了硝酸盐浓度（0、128、512μmol·L-1）和磷酸盐浓度（0、8、32μmol·L-1）对中肋骨条藻优势种群生化成分和富集3种多溴联苯醚的影响,分析了中肋骨条藻优势种群对多溴联苯醚的富集量与生化成分的关系。结果表明,随着营养盐浓度的升高,单位藻细胞的富集量呈现降低趋势,硝酸盐浓度为0μmol·L-1时,3种多溴联苯醚同系物每106cells的富集量为3.93-5.01 ng,而硝酸盐浓度为512μmol·L-1时,每106cells富集量为3.53-3.94 ng,降低了10%-23%;不同硝酸盐浓度下单位体积藻液富集量差异较小,随硝酸盐浓度的升高,BDE-99和47富集量分别从0.180和0.179 ng·mL^-1降低到0.167和0.150 ng·mL^-1,BDE-28没有出现明显差异。与硝酸盐相似,多溴联苯醚单位藻细胞富集量也随着磷酸盐浓度的升高而呈现出降低的趋势,每106cells的富集量从磷为0μmol·L-1的3.04-3.28 ng降低到32μmol·L-1时的2.27-2.73 ng;不同磷酸盐浓度下单位体积藻液的富集量差异不显著,其中BDE-99富集量范围在0.188-0.190 ng·mL^-1,随磷酸盐浓度的升高,BDE-47和28富集量略有降低,从0.20 ng·mL^-1降低到约0.16 ng·mL^-1。中肋骨条藻优势种群单位细胞对多溴联苯醚富集随着营养盐浓度的增加而降低,其原因是营养盐浓度影响了其细胞生化成分,其中脂类含量与富集量存在正相关关系。对3种同系物富集量的比较发现,随多溴联苯醚同系物的Kow降低,富集量总体上呈现降低的趋势。     

Nitrate reductase in Peru current phytoplankton

Nitrate reductase (NR) activity was assayed by measuring the NADH-dependent formation of nitrite in phytoplankton extracts. NR specific activity increased with the nitrate concentration of the water in upwelling areas of the Peru Current. The temperature optimum for NR for natural phytoplankton was 15° to 20°C. NR activity showed diel periodicity, with maximum activity about noon and minimum activity near midnight local time. Rate of nitrate reduction in the extracts averaged only about 15% of the rate of nitrate assimilation in the whole cells.     

6种矿质元素对青菜中硝酸盐含量的影响

通过盆栽试验 ,研究了B、K、Mn、Mg、Zn、Co对青菜中硝酸盐含量的影响。结果表明 :增施硼酸钠后第 2 0天 ,青菜硝酸盐含量比对照降低 1 4 84%～ 1 9 56 % ;增施K、Mn、Mg、Zn、Co也能降低青菜硝酸盐含量。每盆增施0 1gZnSO4 后第 1 0天 ,青菜中硝酸盐含量比对照减少 1 8 96 % ,每盆增施 0 1gK2 SO4 后第 2 0天 ,青菜中硝酸盐含量比对照减少 2 1 42 % ;矿质元素的施用量对青菜硝酸盐含量影响较大。     

Nitrate reductase for nitrate analysis in water

Nitrate analysis in water is one of the most frequently applied methods in environmental chemistry. Current methods for nitrate are generally based on toxic substances. Here, we show that a viable alternative method is to use the enzyme nitrate reductase. The key to applying this Green Chemistry solution for nitrate analysis is plentiful, inexpensive, analytical grade enzyme. We demonstrate that recombinant Arabidopsis nitrate reductase, expressed in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris, is a highly effective catalyst for nitrate analysis at 37°C. Recombinant production of enzyme ensures consistent quality and provides means to meet the needs of environmental chemistry.     

The nitrate time bomb: a numerical way to investigate nitrate storage and lag time in the unsaturated zone

Nitrate pollution in groundwater, which is mainly from agricultural activities, remains an international problem. It threatens the environment, economics and human health. There is a rising trend in nitrate concentrations in many UK groundwater bodies. Research has shown it can take decades for leached nitrate from the soil to discharge into groundwater and surface water due to the ‘store’ of nitrate and its potentially long travel time in the unsaturated and saturated zones. However, this time lag is rarely considered in current water nitrate management and policy development. The aim of this study was to develop a catchment-scale integrated numerical method to investigate the nitrate lag time in the groundwater system, and the Eden Valley, UK, was selected as a case study area. The method involves three models, namely the nitrate time bomb—a process-based model to simulate the nitrate transport in the unsaturated zone (USZ), GISGroundwater—a GISGroundwater flow model, and N-FM—a model to simulate the nitrate transport in the saturated zone. This study answers the scientific questions of when the nitrate currently in the groundwater was loaded into the unsaturated zones and eventually reached the water table; is the rising groundwater nitrate concentration in the study area caused by historic nitrate load; what caused the uneven distribution of groundwater nitrate concentration in the study area; and whether the historic peak nitrate loading has reached the water table in the area. The groundwater nitrate in the area was mainly from the 1980s to 2000s, whilst the groundwater nitrate in most of the source protection zones leached into the system during 1940s–1970s; the large and spatially variable thickness of the USZ is one of the major reasons for unevenly distributed groundwater nitrate concentrations in the study area; the peak nitrate loading around 1983 has affected most of the study area. For areas around the Bowscar, Beacon Edge, Low Plains, Nord Vue, Dale Springs, Gamblesby, Bankwood Springs, and Cliburn, the peak nitrate loading will arrive at the water table in the next 34 years; statistical analysis shows that 8.7 % of the Penrith Sandstone and 7.3 % of the St Bees Sandstone have not been affected by peak nitrate. This research can improve the scientific understanding of nitrate processes in the groundwater system and support the effective management of groundwater nitrate pollution for the study area. With a limited number of parameters, the method and models developed in this study are readily transferable to other areas.     

Homogeneous and heterogeneous photolysis of nitrate in the atmosphere: state of the science,current research needs,and future prospects

● Recent advances in the photolysis of nitrate/HNO₃ are reviewed. ● Mechanisms and key factors affecting the photolysis of nitrate/HNO₃ are summarized. ● Atmospheric implications and future research recommendations are provided. Nitrate is an important component of atmospheric particulate matter and affects air quality, climate, human health, and the ecosystem. Nitrate was previously considered a permanent sink for nitrogen oxides (NO_x). However, this viewpoint has been challenged in recent years because growing research evidence has shown the transformation of nitrate into NO_x (i.e., renoxification). The photolysis of nitrate/HNO₃, especially in the particulate phase or adsorbed on particles, can be a significant renoxification process in the atmosphere. The formation and photolysis of nitrate in aerosol not only change the diurnal variation of NO_x, but also provide long-distance transport of NO_x in the form of nitrate, which affects local and regional atmospheric chemistry and air quality. This review summarizes recent advances in the fundamental understanding of the photolysis of nitrate/HNO₃ under various atmospheric conditions, with a focus on mechanisms and key factors affecting the process. The atmospheric implications are discussed and future research is recommended.     

珠江三角洲典型地区蔬菜硝酸盐与亚硝酸盐污染评价

研究了珠江三角洲典型地区中山市大型蔬菜生产基地中9种蔬菜30个样品中硝酸盐与亚硝酸盐的污染现状,初步摸清了蔬菜中硝酸盐及亚硝酸盐的污染状况。并以WHO/FAO规定的日允许摄入量换算得到的标准评价了其主要蔬菜品种的硝酸盐污染状况。结果表明:在被调查的蔬菜中,硝酸盐含量由高到低依次为菜心→白菜>芥菜→空心菜→生菜→瓜果类,菜心、芥菜和白菜为严重污染,生菜与空心菜为重污染,瓜果类蔬菜为轻污染;亚硝酸盐含量普遍较低,均未超标。因而有必要采取有效的污染防治措施控制该地区蔬菜中的硝酸盐污染状况。     

Effects of nitrogen deficiency on nitrate reductase,nitrate assimilation and photosynthesis in unicellular marine algae

Nitrate reductase (NR) activity appeared in ammoniumgrown cultures of 5 species of marine algae, representing 4 classes, after a short period of nitrogen starvation. In nitrogen-limited chemostat cultures of Nannochloropsis oculata and Chlorella stigmatophora there was an inhibition of photosynthetic carbon fixation during nitrate assimilation. In these organisms, nitrate assimilation was light-dependent and inhibited by 3-(3′,4′-dichloro-)-1-1-dimethyl urea (DCMU). In N. oculata, an obligate autotroph, nitrite assimilation was dependent on light absolutely. Physiological changes that occur in these organisms during nitrogen deficiency enable them to assimilate nitrogen rapidly when it becomes available.     

Soil quality evolution after land use change from paddy soil to vegetable land

A survey was done in 15 typical villages, 150 soil and 86 vegetable plant samples were taken in Jiaxin prefecture of the Taihu Lake region, northern Zhejian province. Results indicate that after 15-20 years land use changed from the paddy rice-wheat (or oilseed rape) double cropping system, to a continuous vegetable land has caused soil quality dramatic change. (1) Acidification: average soil pH was 5.4; about 61% of total samples were pH < 5.5. It was 0.9 units lower than 10 years ago with same upland vegetable cultivation and was 1.2 units lower than soil pH of paddy rice-wheat (or oilseed rape) rotation. (2) Fertilizer salt accumulation: the average salt content was 0.28%, among these about 36.2% of the total samples contained more than 0.3%. (3) Nitrate N and available phosphorus (P) over accumulation: on average it was 279 mg NO3-N/kg, and 45-115 mg P/kg. Nitrate N four times higher and available P 4-10 times more than it is in present paddy rice-wheat rotation soils respectively. This has caused wide concern because of possible groundwater and well drinking water pollution by leached nitrate N and the P losses to water by runoff from vegetable lands induce surface water eutrophication.