The aim of this thesis was to describe the effect of enhanced atmospheric nitrogen deposition on amount of denitrification genes in litter soil horizon of Norway spruce site in Šumava. Nitrous oxide production, soil chemical characteristics, changes in amount of denitrification genes and diversity of bacterial community were determined during incubation experiment.

The global nitrogen cycle has been disrupted by large anthropogenic inputs of reactive nitrogen to the environment. Excess nitrogen underlies environmental problems such as eutrophication, and can negatively affect human health. Managing the natural microbial process of denitrification is advocated as a promising avenue to reduce excess nitrogen, and denitrifying bioreactors (DNBRs) are an emerging technology harnessing this biochemical process. Previous DNBR research has established successful nitrate removal, whereas this study examines the potential to expand DNBR functionality to address excess phosphorus and mitigate the production of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas. Results from a laboratory experiment supported the hypothesis that the addition of biochar, a charcoal-like soil amendment and novel organic carbon source in DNBR research, would increase nitrate and phosphorus removal as well as decrease the accumulation of nitrous oxide, an intermediate product of microbial denitrification. In order more closely examine the ratio of the products nitrous oxide and inert dinitrogen, development of a novel analytical method to quantify dissolved gases in environmental water samples using gas chromatography mass spectrometry was undertaken. Although static headspace analysis is a common technique for quantifying dissolved volatiles, the variation in sample preparation has recently been revealed to affect the determination of dissolved concentrations of permanent gases and convolute comparison between studies. This work demonstrates the viability of internal calibration with gaseous standard addition to make dissolved gas analysis more robust to variable sample processing and to correct for matrix effects on gas partitioning that may occur in environmental samples. / Master of Science

The advent of industrial, fertilizer-intensive agriculture during the 20th century has promoted export of anthropogenic nutrients, spurring degradation of ecosystem biodiversity and water quality. Exported nitrogen and phosphorus are recognized drivers of this deterioration, and require management. In the mid-1990s, denitrifying bioreactors (DNBRs), a subsurface, edge-of-field best management practice (BMP) that intercepts and treats agricultural drainage by supporting nitrate-attenuating denitrification with a saturated, carbon-filled substrate, were developed. Since then, their utility has expanded, and recent studies have unearthed biochar's capability to stimulate simultaneous nitrate (NO3--N) and phosphate (PO43--P) removal in DNBRs. This study investigated biochar's potential as an amendment to the traditional woodchip media by conducting nine, five-day trials on twelve laboratory-scale, horizontal flow-through DNBR columns. Three media types were tested: woodchips (W), 90% woodchips and 10% biochar (B10), and 70% woodchips and 30% biochar (B30). Simulated agricultural drainage with four unique concentration combinations of 16.1 and 4.5 mg L-1 NO3--N and 1.9 and 0.6 mg L-1 PO43--P was delivered at hydraulic retention times (HRTs) of 3, 6, and 12 h. Mean NO3--N removal efficiencies ranged from 16.9%-93.7%, and media type was insignificant at low influent NO3--N concentrations, but B30 was the most effective at high influent NO3--N concentrations. Mean PO43--P removal efficiencies ranged from -122.0%-74.9%, with B10 and B30 significantly worse than W at removing PO43--P. These findings corroborate previous work indicating boosted NO3--N removal with biochar, but contradict studies upholding PO43--P-removing capabilities. / Master of Science

Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 143 grew chemoorganotrophically when supplied with exogenous nitrous oxide as the terminal electron acceptor, or as the alternate terminal electron acceptor to nitrate under anoxic conditions. Cell growth and dissimilatory N₂O reduction were significantly inhibited by acetylene when either N₂O or N₂O plus nitrate served as terminal electron acceptor(s). Reduction of nitrous oxide accounted for 20% of the energy for cell growth in cultures supplied with nitrate as the terminal electron acceptor. Nitrous oxide was produced stoichiometrically in cultures supplied with nitrate and acetylene and growth was proportionately reduced compared to cultures supplied with an equal amount of nitrate. Exogenous nitrous oxide delayed the reduction of nitrate in cultures supplied with both electron acceptors. The final cell yield and/or growth rate of the cells were reduced when N₂O was ≥ 15% of the culture flask headspace. Direct amperometric monitoring of nitrous oxide respiration indicated a specific activity of 0.082 ± 0.004 µmoles N₂O/min/mg cell-protein. The respiration was inhibited by azide. A Clark-type electrode with a platinum cathode, and the instrumentation for monitoring hydrogen uptake amperometrically were used to monitor the reduction of N₂O during anaerobic respiration. / Master of Science

Nos últimos anos, o Brasil tem liderado a produção e exportação mundial de cana-de-açúcar e seus derivados. Com isso, a produtividade agrícola aumenta necessitando-se ampliar as pesquisas de caráter sócio-ambiental, a fim de modelar um desenvolvimento tecnológico mais próximo do sustentável. Desta forma, torna-se necessário conhecer a contribuição do plantio da cana-de-açúcar com o aumento da concentração de gases de efeito estufa na atmosfera, especialmente no que se refere ao óxido nitroso (N2O), derivado do uso de fertilizantes nitrogenados. Sabe-se que na ausência de oxigênio, bactérias específicas passam a reduzir compostos nitrogenados, formando este poderoso gás de aquecimento global durante as etapas decorrentes de um processo conhecido como desnitrificação biológica. Através dos avanços nas áreas da biologia molecular, tornou-se possível conhecer os microorganismos não cultiváveis e suas respectivas funções em um determinado ambiente. Este trabalho teve como objetivo estimar as emissões de N-N2O nos solos de cana-de-açúcar derivadas da aplicação de fertilizantes nitrogenados durante um período de trinta dias, em duas situações de manejo da cultura: I- Sem queima: colheita mecanizada com a manutenção da palha da cana; II-Com queima: colheita manual precedida pela queima da palha da cana. Simultaneamente, os genes envolvidos na desnitrificação e produção de N2O no solo (norB, nirK, nirS e nosZ) foram quantificados por PCR quantitativo em tempo real em condições de laboratório e de campo. Sob condições de laboratório, pode-se observar que as emissões de NN2O atingiram 0,8 mg.m-2 h-1 em solos com a manutenção da palha, tanto com a aplicação de uréia quanto de nitrato de amônio. Os mesmos produtos, quando aplicados em solos sem a presença da palha emitiram 0,45 mg.m-2 h-1. No campo, os maiores fluxos de N-N2O foram encontrados no período de elevada precipitação pluviométrica, que ocorreu na primeira semana após a aplicação do fertilizante nitrato de amônio, chegando a 0,7 mg.m-2 h-1 nos solos com palha e 0,37 mg.m-2 h-1 nos solos sem a palha. Tanto no campo quanto no laboratório foram encontradas as maiores quantidades dos genes envolvidos na desnitrificação em solos com a permanência da palha, com valores próximos de 107 genes por grama de solo. A atual tendência a substituir a colheita manual da cana pela colheita mecanizada favorece a agregação do solo, diminui o grau de erosão e aumenta os estoques de carbono, mas também pode resultar em aumento das emissões de N-N2O e do fator de emissão dos fertilizantes nitrogenados, conforme encontrado para o nitrato de amônio aplicado no campo, onde o valor obtido foi de 0,3% para os solos sem a palha e 0,7% para solos com palha. Sendo assim, é fundamental estudar as melhores condições do uso da terra e o papel exercido pela microbiota que nela existe, proporcionando um tratamento mais adequado aos resíduos culturais, diminuindo assim as emissões de gases estufas. / In recent years, Brazil has led the production and worldwide export of sugarcane and its products. Thus, agricultural productivity increases need to expand research of socio-environmental, in order to model a technology development closer sustainable. Therefore, it is necessary to know the contribution of planting sugarcane with increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, especially with regard to nitrous oxide (N2O), derived from nitrogenous fertilizer use. It is known that in the absence of oxygen, bacteria are specific to reduce nitrogen, forming this powerful global warming gas arising during the stages of a biological process known as denitrification. Through advances in molecular biology, it has become possible to know the non-cultivable micro-organisms and their functions in a given environment. This study aimed to measure the emissions of N-N2O in soils of sugarcane derived from the application of nitrogen fertilizers for a period of thirty days, in two situations crop management: I-No burning: mechanized harvesting with maintaining cane straw; II-With burning: manual harvest preceded by burning the straw. Simultaneously, the genes involved in denitrification and N2O production in soil (norB, nirS, nirK, and nosZ) were quantified by real-time quantitative PCR in the laboratory and the field. Under laboratory conditions, it can be seen that the N-N2O reached 0,8 mg.m-2 h-1 in soils with maintaining the straw, either with the application of urea and ammonium nitrate. The same products, when applied to soils without the presence of straw delivered 0,45 mg.m-2 h-1. In the field, the highest N-N2O fluxes were found in the period of high rainfall, which occurred in the first week after application of ammonium nitrate, reaching 0,7 mg.m-2 h-1 in soils with straw and 0,37 mg.m-2 h-1 in the soil without straw. Both in the field and in the laboratory were found greater amounts of genes involved in denitrification in soils fertilized with the permanence and straw, with values close to 107 per gram of soil. The current trend is to replace manual harvesting of sugarcane by mechanized harvesting promotes soil aggregation, decreases the degree of erosion and increases carbon stocks, but can also result in increased emission factor of nitrogen fertilizers, as found for nitrate applied in the field, where the value was 0,3% for the soil without straw and 0.7% for soils with straw. Therefore, it is essential to study the best conditions of land use and the role played by the microbiota that is therein, providing appropriate treatment to crop residues, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Hidrocarbonetos aromáticos conhecidos como BTEX (benzeno, tolueno, etilbenzeno e xilenos) estão entre os maiores problemas de poluição ambiental. Estes compostos são reconhecidos por sua recalcitrância em ambientes anóxicos, e a remoção destes hidrocarbonetos, de sítios anaeróbios contaminados é dependente da atividade de uma população de microrganismos adaptados capazes de promover a biodegradação destes compostos, nestas condições. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho buscou purificar, caracterizar e utilizar cultura desnitrificante, como inóculo para desenvolvimento de biofilme, em reator anaeróbio de leito fixo preenchido com espumas de poliuretano, além de avaliar o potencial deste biofilme em promover a biodegradação dos compostos de BTEX. Células da cultura apresentaram coloração Gram negativa, com morfologia de cocos (diplococos e cocobacilos). A cultura foi capaz de crescer, sob condições desnitrificantes, utilizando diferentes substratos. A cultura não apresentou capacidade de crescer sob condições sulfetogênicas. Velocidades de crescimento ('mü') de 0,046/h e 0,050/h e tempos de geração (Tg) de 15,1 horas e 13,9 horas foram obtidos para as células crescidas em benzeno e etilbenzeno, respectivamente. A cultura purificada foi utilizada para formar biofilme em RAHLF. Em todas as condições de alimentação as quais os reatores foram submetidos houve remoção da matéria orgânica, nitrato e dos hidrocarbonetos. A menor eficiência de remoção de hidrocarbonetos foi de 89,4%, obtida durante a alimentação dos reatores com benzeno. A matéria orgânica (DQO) foi removida com eficiência média de 87,1%. A eficiência média de remoção de nitrato foi de 94%. O sequenciamento das amostras revelou que o biofilme do RAHLF1 foi formado, principalmente, por espécies de Paracoccus, Pseudomonas e Bacteroides, enquanto que no RAHLF2, alimentado com etilbenzeno, observou-se espécies dos gêneros: Paracoccus, Pseudomonas, Xanthomonas e Variovorax / The monoaromatic hydrocarbons known as BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) are among the greatest environmental pollution problems. These compounds are known by their recalcitrance in anoxic environments, and the removal of these toxics from anaerobic contaminated sites depends on the presence of an adapted microbial population capable of to promote the biodegradation of these compounds under such condition. Thus, in the current study a denitrifying culture was purified, characterized and used as inoculum to form a biofilm in a horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized biomass reactor filled with polyurethane foam, and to assess the potential of this biofilm to promote BTEX compounds biodegradation. Culture cells were Gram negative, with coccus (diplococcus and cocobacilli) morphology. The culture was able to grow, under denitrifying conditions, using different substrates. No growth was seen in sulfate-reducing conditions. Growth velocity('mü') of 0.046/h and 0.050/h, and generation time of 15.1 and 13.9 hours were obtained for cultures isolated in the presence of benzene and ethylbenzene, respectively. The purified culture was used to form a biofilm inside RAHLF. At all feeding conditions the reactors were submitted the organic matter, nitrate and hydrocarbons were removed. The smallest hydrocarbons removal efficiency was 89.4%, obtained during benzene feeding. The organic matter (COD) was removed with mean efficiency of 87.1%. The mean efficiency of nitrate removal was 94.0%. Sequencing of samples showed that the RAHLF1 biofilm was composed specially for Paracoccus, Pseudomonas and Bacteroides species. Biofilm of RAHLF2 reactor, obtained from ethylbenzene feeding, was composed by Paracoccus, Pseudomonas, Xanthomonas and Variovorax species

Nos últimos anos, o Brasil tem liderado a produção e exportação mundial de cana-de-açúcar e seus derivados. Com isso, a produtividade agrícola aumenta necessitando-se ampliar as pesquisas de caráter sócio-ambiental, a fim de modelar um desenvolvimento tecnológico mais próximo do sustentável. Desta forma, torna-se necessário conhecer a contribuição do plantio da cana-de-açúcar com o aumento da concentração de gases de efeito estufa na atmosfera, especialmente no que se refere ao óxido nitroso (N2O), derivado do uso de fertilizantes nitrogenados. Sabe-se que na ausência de oxigênio, bactérias específicas passam a reduzir compostos nitrogenados, formando este poderoso gás de aquecimento global durante as etapas decorrentes de um processo conhecido como desnitrificação biológica. Através dos avanços nas áreas da biologia molecular, tornou-se possível conhecer os microorganismos não cultiváveis e suas respectivas funções em um determinado ambiente. Este trabalho teve como objetivo estimar as emissões de N-N2O nos solos de cana-de-açúcar derivadas da aplicação de fertilizantes nitrogenados durante um período de trinta dias, em duas situações de manejo da cultura: I- Sem queima: colheita mecanizada com a manutenção da palha da cana; II-Com queima: colheita manual precedida pela queima da palha da cana. Simultaneamente, os genes envolvidos na desnitrificação e produção de N2O no solo (norB, nirK, nirS e nosZ) foram quantificados por PCR quantitativo em tempo real em condições de laboratório e de campo. Sob condições de laboratório, pode-se observar que as emissões de NN2O atingiram 0,8 mg.m-2 h-1 em solos com a manutenção da palha, tanto com a aplicação de uréia quanto de nitrato de amônio. Os mesmos produtos, quando aplicados em solos sem a presença da palha emitiram 0,45 mg.m-2 h-1. No campo, os maiores fluxos de N-N2O foram encontrados no período de elevada precipitação pluviométrica, que ocorreu na primeira semana após a aplicação do fertilizante nitrato de amônio, chegando a 0,7 mg.m-2 h-1 nos solos com palha e 0,37 mg.m-2 h-1 nos solos sem a palha. Tanto no campo quanto no laboratório foram encontradas as maiores quantidades dos genes envolvidos na desnitrificação em solos com a permanência da palha, com valores próximos de 107 genes por grama de solo. A atual tendência a substituir a colheita manual da cana pela colheita mecanizada favorece a agregação do solo, diminui o grau de erosão e aumenta os estoques de carbono, mas também pode resultar em aumento das emissões de N-N2O e do fator de emissão dos fertilizantes nitrogenados, conforme encontrado para o nitrato de amônio aplicado no campo, onde o valor obtido foi de 0,3% para os solos sem a palha e 0,7% para solos com palha. Sendo assim, é fundamental estudar as melhores condições do uso da terra e o papel exercido pela microbiota que nela existe, proporcionando um tratamento mais adequado aos resíduos culturais, diminuindo assim as emissões de gases estufas. / In recent years, Brazil has led the production and worldwide export of sugarcane and its products. Thus, agricultural productivity increases need to expand research of socio-environmental, in order to model a technology development closer sustainable. Therefore, it is necessary to know the contribution of planting sugarcane with increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, especially with regard to nitrous oxide (N2O), derived from nitrogenous fertilizer use. It is known that in the absence of oxygen, bacteria are specific to reduce nitrogen, forming this powerful global warming gas arising during the stages of a biological process known as denitrification. Through advances in molecular biology, it has become possible to know the non-cultivable micro-organisms and their functions in a given environment. This study aimed to measure the emissions of N-N2O in soils of sugarcane derived from the application of nitrogen fertilizers for a period of thirty days, in two situations crop management: I-No burning: mechanized harvesting with maintaining cane straw; II-With burning: manual harvest preceded by burning the straw. Simultaneously, the genes involved in denitrification and N2O production in soil (norB, nirS, nirK, and nosZ) were quantified by real-time quantitative PCR in the laboratory and the field. Under laboratory conditions, it can be seen that the N-N2O reached 0,8 mg.m-2 h-1 in soils with maintaining the straw, either with the application of urea and ammonium nitrate. The same products, when applied to soils without the presence of straw delivered 0,45 mg.m-2 h-1. In the field, the highest N-N2O fluxes were found in the period of high rainfall, which occurred in the first week after application of ammonium nitrate, reaching 0,7 mg.m-2 h-1 in soils with straw and 0,37 mg.m-2 h-1 in the soil without straw. Both in the field and in the laboratory were found greater amounts of genes involved in denitrification in soils fertilized with the permanence and straw, with values close to 107 per gram of soil. The current trend is to replace manual harvesting of sugarcane by mechanized harvesting promotes soil aggregation, decreases the degree of erosion and increases carbon stocks, but can also result in increased emission factor of nitrogen fertilizers, as found for nitrate applied in the field, where the value was 0,3% for the soil without straw and 0.7% for soils with straw. Therefore, it is essential to study the best conditions of land use and the role played by the microbiota that is therein, providing appropriate treatment to crop residues, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Hidrocarbonetos aromáticos conhecidos como BTEX (benzeno, tolueno, etilbenzeno e xilenos) estão entre os maiores problemas de poluição ambiental. Estes compostos são reconhecidos por sua recalcitrância em ambientes anóxicos, e a remoção destes hidrocarbonetos, de sítios anaeróbios contaminados é dependente da atividade de uma população de microrganismos adaptados capazes de promover a biodegradação destes compostos, nestas condições. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho buscou purificar, caracterizar e utilizar cultura desnitrificante, como inóculo para desenvolvimento de biofilme, em reator anaeróbio de leito fixo preenchido com espumas de poliuretano, além de avaliar o potencial deste biofilme em promover a biodegradação dos compostos de BTEX. Células da cultura apresentaram coloração Gram negativa, com morfologia de cocos (diplococos e cocobacilos). A cultura foi capaz de crescer, sob condições desnitrificantes, utilizando diferentes substratos. A cultura não apresentou capacidade de crescer sob condições sulfetogênicas. Velocidades de crescimento ('mü') de 0,046/h e 0,050/h e tempos de geração (Tg) de 15,1 horas e 13,9 horas foram obtidos para as células crescidas em benzeno e etilbenzeno, respectivamente. A cultura purificada foi utilizada para formar biofilme em RAHLF. Em todas as condições de alimentação as quais os reatores foram submetidos houve remoção da matéria orgânica, nitrato e dos hidrocarbonetos. A menor eficiência de remoção de hidrocarbonetos foi de 89,4%, obtida durante a alimentação dos reatores com benzeno. A matéria orgânica (DQO) foi removida com eficiência média de 87,1%. A eficiência média de remoção de nitrato foi de 94%. O sequenciamento das amostras revelou que o biofilme do RAHLF1 foi formado, principalmente, por espécies de Paracoccus, Pseudomonas e Bacteroides, enquanto que no RAHLF2, alimentado com etilbenzeno, observou-se espécies dos gêneros: Paracoccus, Pseudomonas, Xanthomonas e Variovorax / The monoaromatic hydrocarbons known as BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) are among the greatest environmental pollution problems. These compounds are known by their recalcitrance in anoxic environments, and the removal of these toxics from anaerobic contaminated sites depends on the presence of an adapted microbial population capable of to promote the biodegradation of these compounds under such condition. Thus, in the current study a denitrifying culture was purified, characterized and used as inoculum to form a biofilm in a horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized biomass reactor filled with polyurethane foam, and to assess the potential of this biofilm to promote BTEX compounds biodegradation. Culture cells were Gram negative, with coccus (diplococcus and cocobacilli) morphology. The culture was able to grow, under denitrifying conditions, using different substrates. No growth was seen in sulfate-reducing conditions. Growth velocity('mü') of 0.046/h and 0.050/h, and generation time of 15.1 and 13.9 hours were obtained for cultures isolated in the presence of benzene and ethylbenzene, respectively. The purified culture was used to form a biofilm inside RAHLF. At all feeding conditions the reactors were submitted the organic matter, nitrate and hydrocarbons were removed. The smallest hydrocarbons removal efficiency was 89.4%, obtained during benzene feeding. The organic matter (COD) was removed with mean efficiency of 87.1%. The mean efficiency of nitrate removal was 94.0%. Sequencing of samples showed that the RAHLF1 biofilm was composed specially for Paracoccus, Pseudomonas and Bacteroides species. Biofilm of RAHLF2 reactor, obtained from ethylbenzene feeding, was composed by Paracoccus, Pseudomonas, Xanthomonas and Variovorax species

The increasing concentration of nitrates in surface water and groundwater is becoming a global problem. The dissertation thesis is focused on the denitrifying bioreactors with organic fill material designed for the reduction of nitrate input from agricultural areas in the Czech Republic. A set of laboratory experiments was performed – static leaching tests and column tests, including chemical analyses of outflow water and ecotoxicological bioassays. Seven materials common in the Czech Republic, various process parameters, types and lengths of bioreactor shutdown in dry periods and the use of outflow water for irrigation were tested. The thesis deals with both denitrification efficiency and ways of reducing negative effects. An evaluation of the overall effect bioreactors is included along with a prediction regarding leaching over the following years.

O óxido nitroso (N2O) é um importante gás de efeito estufa (GEE) e, nos ecossistemas terrestres, é produzido principalmente pelo processo de desnitrificação. Esse ocorre em condições anaeróbias e, portanto, é fortemente estimulado pelo aumento do teor de umidade do solo. Entretanto, solos sob diferentes usos podem exibir taxas de emissão de N2O distintas, mesmo quando apresentam teores de umidade equivalentes. Ainda não está claro se isso se deve somente ao fato de os mesmos diferirem quanto a atributos físicos e químicos capazes de afetar a atividade dos organismos desnitrificantes ou se também se deve à diferenças com relação ao tamanho de suas populações. O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de compreender as relações entre os fluxos de N2O, a umidade e a abundância de genes bacterianos envolvidos no processo de desnitrificação (nirK, norB e nosZ) em solos de floresta, pastagem e cultivo de cana-de-açúcar, utilizando um experimento de microcosmos. Amostras de solo foram coletadas na fazenda Capuava, situada no município de Piracicaba, SP. Os microcosmos estabelecidos a partir das mesmas foram mantidos com diferentes teores de umidade (original e ajustados para atingir 60% e 90% da capacidade de campo) e incubados a 30 °C por 30 dias. Ao longo do período de incubação, os fluxos de N2O a partir desses solos foram analisados por cromatografia gasosa. Amostras coletadas do interior dos microcosmos, antes e depois da aplicação dos tratamentos, foram comparadas quanto à estrutura de suas comunidades bacterianas, utilizando a técnica de T-RFLP, e quanto à abundância dos genes 16S rRNA, nirK, norB e nosZ, através da técnica de qPCR. Somente os solos que tiveram sua umidade ajustada para 90% da capacidade de campo exibiram incrementos significativos na produção de N2O. Em tais amostras, também foi verificada a alteração da estrutura das comunidades bacterianas e do número de cópias dos genes norB e nosZ. Apenas este último, no entanto, apresentou uma correlação positiva com a umidade do solo. A abundância dos genes avaliados não apresentou correlações significativas com as taxas de emissão do GEE. Por outro lado, as emissões cumulativas de N2O se correlacionaram positivamente com as quantidades de genes desnitrificantes presentes inicialmente nas amostras de solo. Estes genes se mostraram mais abundantes nas amostras de pastagem e floresta, as quais apresentavam maiores teores de matéria orgânica, carbono, nitrogênio, nitrato e argila do que aquelas provenientes da área cultivada com cana-de-açúcar. Tais resultados demonstram que o conteúdo de água do solo afeta a taxa de emissão de N2O, mas que isso não se deve a alterações na abundância das bactérias envolvidas no processo, como as que carregam os genes nirK, norB e nosZ. Aparentemente, no entanto, quantidade de GEE que o solo é capaz de produzir está relacionada ao tamanho das populações desses organismos desnitrificantes. / Nitrous oxide (N2O) is an important greenhouse gas (GHG) and, in terrestrial ecosystems, it is mainly produced by denitrification. This process occurs under anaerobic conditions and, therefore, is strongly stimulated by the increase of the soil moisture content. However, soils under different uses may exhibit distinct N2O emission rates, even when they have the same moisture content. It is still not clear whether this is due solely to the fact that they differ in relation to physical and chemical properties that affect the activity of denitrifying organisms or whether this is also due to differences in the size of their populations. The aim of this work was to evaluate the relations between N2O fluxes, moisture and abundance of bacterial genes involved in denitrification process (nirK, norB e nosZ) in soil samples from forest, pasture and sugarcane field, through a microcosm experiment. These samples were collected at Fazenda Capuava, located in Piracicaba, SP. Microcosms established from them were maintained with different moisture contents (original and adjusted to achieve 60% and 90% of field capacity) and incubated at 30 °C for 30 days. During the incubation period, the N2O fluxes from soils were analyzed by gas chromatography. Soil samples from microcosms, collected before and after application of the treatments, were compared regarding the structure of their bacterial communities, by using T-RFLP technique, and the abundance of 16S rRNA, nirK, norB and nosZ genes, through qPCR technique. Only samples that had their moisture content adjusted to 90% of field capacity exhibited significant increases in N2O production. In these samples, changes in the structure of bacterial communities and in the copy numbers of norB and nosZ genes were also detected. Only the latter gene, however, showed a positive correlation with soil moisture. The abundance of the quantified genes showed no significant correlations with the gas emission rates. On the other hand, the cumulative N2O emissions were positively correlated with the amounts of denitrifying genes initially present in the samples. These genes were more abundant in pasture and forest soils, which had higher levels of organic matter, carbon, nitrogen, nitrate and clay than those from sugarcane cropping area. These results indicate that soil water content affects the N2O emission rates. However it is not due to changes in the abundance of bacteria involved in the process, such as those that bear the nirK, norB and nosZ genes. Apparently, it is the size of these organisms\' populations that determines the amount of GHG that the soil is able to produce.