Denitrification in agricultural soils is a major source of N2O. Legume crops enhance N2O emission by providing N-rich residues, thereby stimulating denitrification, both by free-living denitrifying bacteria and by the symbiont (rhizobium) within the nodules. However, there are limited data concerning N2O production and consumption by endosymbiotic bacteria associated with legume crops. It has b...

BACKGROUND Our previous reports demonstrated that genetic deletion of μ-opioid receptor has no influence on the anaesthetic and antinociceptive effects of nitrous oxide (N2O) in mice, and that an antagonist selective for κ-opioid receptor (KOP), but not that selective for δ-opioid receptor, suppresses the antinociceptive effect of N2O. However, it is not known whether genetic deletion of KOP af...

[1] Nitrous oxide (N2O) is an important atmospheric greenhouse gas and is involved in stratospheric ozone depletion. Analysis of the isotopomer ratios of N2O (i.e., the intramolecular distribution of N within the linear NNO molecule and the conventional N and O isotope ratios) can elucidate the mechanisms of N2O production and destruction. We analyzed the isotopomer ratios of dissolved N2O at a...

Nitrous oxide (N2O) gas is a widely used anesthetic adjunct in dentistry and medicine that is also commonly abused. Studies have shown that N2O alters the function of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA), GABAA, opioid, and serotonin receptors among others. However, the receptors systems underlying the abuse-related central nervous system effects of N2O are unclear. The present study explores the re...

We investigated the effects of recent moisture history on the relative production of N2O and N2 during denitrification in soil from cropped and successional ecosystems. The soils were pedogenically identical but had been managed differently for the past decade. Sieved soils were amended with nitrate, glucose, and water. Long-wet and short-wet incubations received 80 and 0%, respectively, of pre...

There has been much debate about the uncertainties associated with the estimation of direct and indirect agricultural nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in developing countries and in particular from tropical regions. In this study, we report an up-to-date review of the information published in peer-review journals on direct N2O emissions from agricultural systems in tropical and sub-tropical region...

[1] Although the oceans are a significant source of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O) to the atmosphere, the magnitude and characteristics of this source are poorly constrained. We present here stable isotope and isotopomer (intramolecular distribution of N within the linear NNO molecule) results for N2O and oxygen stable isotopic data for dissolved O2 from Station ALOHA in the subtropical...

Rising concentrations of nitrous oxide (N2O) in the atmosphere are causing widespread concern because this trace gas plays a key role in the destruction of stratospheric ozone and it is a strong greenhouse gas. The successful mitigation of N2O emissions requires a solid understanding of the relative importance of all N2O sources and sinks. Stable isotope ratio measurements (δ15N-N2O and δ18O-N2...

The emission of greenhouse gases, such as N2O, from wastewater treatment plants is a matter of growing concern. Denitrification by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) has been identified as the main N2O producing pathway. To estimate N2O emissions during biological nitrogen removal, reliable mathematical models are essential. In this work, a mathematical model for NO (a precursor for N2O formation...

[1] We report original data on nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes from two tropical reservoirs, their rivers below the dam, and from natural aquatic ecosystems and rainforest soils in French Guiana and Panama. We also review published N2O fluxes from other tropical reservoirs and natural environments. We show that: (1) N2O emissions from tropical reservoirs occur mainly at the reservoir surface, fluxes...