A solvent-based extraction fails to remove mobile nitrogen from western redcedar (Thuja plicata)

Andrew G. Bunn, James M. Helfield, Jody R. Gerdts, Dustin A. Gleaves, Deanne C. Drake, Paul R. Sheppard

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

The ability to accurately measure interannual variability of the stable isotope of nitrogen, 15N, in tree rings could greatly improve understanding of marine-derived nitrogen delivery to terrestrial ecosystems, soil nitrogen dynamics, and the influences of climate on nitrogen cycles. It could also provide a tool for reconstructing past salmon abundances. However, the mobility of nitrogen throughout the entire tree including between rings has confounded attempts to make full use of 15N in dendrochemistry. We report that despite solvent-based extraction pretreatment to remove nonstructural, mobile nitrogen from increment core samples, an elevated 15N signal is detected in rings formed up to about ten years prior to application of a 15N-enriched tracer in four western redcedar trees. We conclude that the interpretation of the heavy nitrogen signal in tree rings via this pretreatment extraction method is confounded. These findings corroborate work already done in the field.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)19-21
Number of pages3
JournalDendrochronologia
Volume44
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2017

Keywords

  • Dendrochemistry
  • Marine-derived nitrogen
  • Nutrient cycling
  • Stable isotope

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology
  • Plant Science

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