Distribution of N in Soils

From the data presented herein and in earlier publications, [16,17, 28] it is possible to deduce the following distribution of total N in soils proteinaceous materials (proteins, peptides, and amino acids) 40%, amino sugars 5%, heterocyclic N compounds (including purines and pyrimidines) 35 %, and NH3 20% with about 1/4 of the NH3 fixed as NH4 to clay minerals. Thus, proteinaceous materials and heterocyclic N compounds are the major soil N components. 

1 Schnitzer, M. in Humic Substances in Soil, Sediment, and Water (eds. Aiken, G.R., McKnight, D.M., Wershaw, R.L. and Mac-Cahthy, P.) Wiley-Intersdence New York, 1984, chapter 12. 

2 Smith, D. in Experimental Microbial Ecology (eds. Burns, R.G. and Slater, J.H.), Black-well London, 1982, chapter 4. 

15 Schnitzer, M., Spiteller, M. Trans. 13th Congr. Int. Soil Sci. Soc. Hamburg, 1986, 3, 473-74. 

Schulten, R.-H., Sorge-Lewin, C, Schnitzer, M. Biol. Fertil. Soils, 1997, 24,249-54. Schulten, R.-H., Schnitzer, M. Biol. Fertil. Soils, 1998, 26,1-15. 

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The distribution of the total N in amino acids, amino sugars and ammonia in soils formed under widely differing climatic conditions was determined by Sowden et al. [4] The soil samples originated from the arctic, cool temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions of the earth s surface. All samples were analyzed by the same methods, which provided a degree of uniformity which had not been attained before and made it possible to gain new insights into the distribution of N in soils. Table 8.1... 

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