WWRC 85-24
Denitrification and Bacterial Numbers in
Riparian Soils of a Wyoming Mountain Watershed
Abstract
The presence and activity of denitrifying bacteria as well as
bacteria capable of reducing sulfate in 1 upland and 5 riparian soils
of a mountain watershed in Wyoming were studied. Bacteria were
enumerated from soil samples collected during summer along transects
placed perpendicular to stream flow. Samples were taken at 3
depths within each plant community. Subsamples were frozen and
later utilized to determine denitrification potential.
Higher counts of total heterotrophic aerobic bacteria, sulfate-reducing
bacteria, denitrifying bacteria, and denitrification potential
existed in the upper 5 to 15 cm of soil than at 30 cm. Soils
located close to the stream's edge tended to have more bacterial
activity than those further from the stream, indicating that these
soils may be important areas for nitrate and sulfate reduction. Soil
organic matter and water content decreased with depth in all plant
communities, and those closer to the stream contained more
organic matter and water than those further from the stream.
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