ABSTRACT:

This data is associated with the paper "Linked nitrogen and carbon dynamics reveal distinct pools and patterns in a deep, weathered bedrock rhizosphere," published in PNAS 2025 by Crutchfield-Peters et al. In this study, we specifically examined linked carbon and nitrogen dynamics using specialized instrumentation distributed across a 16 m weathered bedrock vadose zone (WBVZ) underlying an old growth forest in northern California where the rhizosphere extends meters into rock. We documented total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), inorganic nitrogen (ammonium and nitrate), and CO2 and O2 gases every 1.5 m to 16 m depth for 2 y. The datasets include measurements of total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), inorganic nitrogen species (ammonium and nitrate), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and gas concentrations (CO₂ and O₂) at 1.5 m intervals down to 16m depth into weathered bedrock sampled using a Vadose Zone Monitoring System. Additionally, stable carbon isotope data of soil, plant, rock and DOC are provided, as are nitrogen isotope data for solid samples (soil, rock, plant). For complete methods and sampling information please refer to the paper.