Denitrification in Soils

Investigating factors that influence denitrification and nitrous oxide production from soils

We measure denitrification and nitrous oxide (N2O) production from soils in lab assays. We often measure baseline soil denitrification and then assess how nutrient or soil amendments and/or environmental conditions influence denitrification and N2O production rates. Some focus areas our group has been investigating include pH, texture, nutrients, trace metals, and soil origin. Understanding the factors that influence denitrification and nitrous oxide production can ensure nitrogen is used most efficiently in soils and not lost to the atmosphere as the harmful greenhouse gas N2O.

Students Madi and Shaima in the lab conducting assays to quantify denitrification rates from soils.

The team:

Mary Foltz – Assistant professor, OSU
Shaima Khalifah – PhD student, OSU
Madi Wilson – MS student, OSU
Kolpo Paul – MS student, OSU
Carly Noone – BS student, OSU
Kirsten Albert – BS student, OSU