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Abstract
Optical emission spectroscopy provides a rapid and precise method for determining nitrogen (N) as the 15N/14N ratios of 15N‐enriched plant and/or soil samples. The objective of this study was to test whether 15N/14N ratios of 15N‐enriched soil samples could be determined using direct combustion of KCl extracts without distillation and titration procedures. Twenty soil samples with ranges of mineral N concentration (10 to 43 μg g‐1 of dry soil) and 15N atom % enrichment (a.e.) (0.37 to 1.10%) were tested. Our data indicate that soluble organic N in the KCl extract contained lower and more variable 15N% a.e. levels than those of the mineral N (NO3 ‐and NH4 +) fractions. Thus, direct combustion of KCl extract is not a reliable method for determining 15N% a.e. in the soil mineral N pool.
Notes
ECORC contribution No. 971179.