Modelling soil nitrogen: the MAGIC model with nitrogen retention linked to carbon turnover using decomposer dynamics

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Oulehle, F.; Cosby, B.J.; Wright, R.F.; Hruska, J.; Kopacek, J.; Kram, P.; Evans, C.D.; Moldan, F.. 2012 Modelling soil nitrogen: the MAGIC model with nitrogen retention linked to carbon turnover using decomposer dynamics. Environmental Pollution, 165. 158-166. 10.1016/j.envpol.2012.02.021

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2012.02.021

Abstract/Summary

We present a new formulation of the acidification model MAGIC that uses decomposer dynamics to link nitrogen (N) cycling to carbon (C) turnover in soils. The new model is evaluated by application to 15-30 years of water chemistry data at three coniferous-forested sites in the Czech Republic where deposition of sulphur (S) and N have decreased by >80% and 40%, respectively. Sulphate concentrations in waters have declined commensurately with S deposition, but nitrate concentrations have shown much larger decreases relative to N deposition. This behaviour is inconsistent with most conceptual models of N saturation, and with earlier versions of MAGIC which assume N retention to be a first-order function of N deposition and/or controlled by the soil C/N ratio. In comparison with earlier versions, the new formulation more correctly simulates observed short-term changes in nitrate leaching, as well as long-term retention of N in soils. The model suggests that, despite recent deposition reductions and recovery, progressive N saturation will lead to increased future nitrate leaching, ecosystem eutrophication and re-acidification.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number/DOI:	10.1016/j.envpol.2012.02.021
Programmes:	CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 onwards > Biogeochemistry
CEH Sections:	Emmett
ISSN:	0269-7491
Additional Keywords:	nitrogen, saturation, leaching, acidification, Norway spruce; Bohemian Forest, Slavkov Forest, Ore Mountains, Erzgebirge
NORA Subject Terms:	Meteorology and Climatology Agriculture and Soil Science
Date made live:	29 Mar 2012 08:43
URI:	http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/17451

Item Type:

Article

Identification Number/DOI:

10.1016/j.envpol.2012.02.021

Programmes:

CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 onwards > Biogeochemistry

CEH Sections:

Emmett

ISSN:

0269-7491

Additional Keywords:

nitrogen, saturation, leaching, acidification, Norway spruce; Bohemian Forest, Slavkov Forest, Ore Mountains, Erzgebirge