Determining the nitrogen and oxygen isotope effects of microbial denitrification

The nitrogen cycle describes how nitrogen, a critical nutrient for life, moves throughout the ground, oceans, and atmosphere. An essential component of the nitrogen cycle is denitrification, in which bioavailable nitrogen is transformed into nitrous oxide and nitrogen gas and can no longer be harnessed by most organisms. We can further understand the importance of this nitrogen cycle process by examining the N and O isotope effects of microbial denitrification. We have cultured four denitrifying bacteria: P. stutzeri, P. putida, P. aureofaciens, and P. aeruginosa. After providing them with an initial amount of nitrite we tracked the rate at which each type of bacteria consumed the nitrite through a time series experiment. We then measured the N and O isotope ratios of the nitrite at each time point using a gas-source isotope ratio mass spectrometer. The subsequent isotope effects calculated using the Rayleigh equation provide an important tool for modeling denitrification in the environment.