Dinitrogen emissions and the N2:N2O emission ratio of a Rendzic Leptosol as influenced by pH and forest thinning

Reduction of nitrous oxide (N₂O) to dinitrogen (N₂) by denitrification in soils is of outstanding ecological significance since it is the prevailing natural process converting reactive nitrogen back into inert molecular dinitrogen. Furthermore, the extent to which N₂O is reduced to N₂ via denitrification is a major regulating factor affecting the magnitude of N₂O emission from soils. However, due to methodological problems in the past, extremely little information is available on N₂ emission and the N₂:N₂O emission ratio for soils of terrestrial ecosystems. In this study, we simultaneously determined N₂ and N₂O emissions from intact soil cores taken from a mountainous beech forest ecosystem. The soil cores were taken from plots with distinct differences in microclimate (warm-dry versus cool-moist) and silvicultural treatment (untreated control versus heavy thinning). Due to different microclimates, the plots showed pronounced differences in pH values (range: 6.3–7.3). N₂O emission from the soil cores was generally very low (2.0 ± 0.5–6.3 ± 3.8 μg N m⁻² h⁻¹ at the warm-dry site and 7.1 ± 3.1–57.4 ± 28.5 μg N m⁻² h⁻¹ at the cool-moist site), thus confirming results from field measurements. However, N₂ emission exceeded N₂O emission by a factor of 21 ± 6–220 ± 122 at the investigated plots. This illustrates that the dominant end product of denitrification at our plots and under the given environmental conditions is N₂ rather than N₂O. N₂ emission showed a huge variability (range: 161 ± 64–1070 ± 499 μg N m⁻² h⁻¹), so that potential effects of microclimate or silvicultural treatment on N₂ emission could not be identified with certainty. However, there was a significant effect of microclimate on the magnitude of N₂O emission as well as on the mean N₂:N₂O emission ratio. N₂:N₂O emission ratios were higher and N₂O emissions were lower for soil cores taken from the plots with warm-dry microclimate as compared to soil cores taken from the cool-moist microclimate plots. We hypothesize that the increase in the N₂:N₂O emission ratio at the warm-dry site was due to higher N₂O reductase activity provoked by the higher soil pH value of this site. Overall, the results of this study show that the N₂:N₂O emission ratio is crucial for understanding the regulation of N₂O fluxes of the investigated soil and that reliable estimates of N₂ emissions are an indispensable prerequisite for accurately calculating total N gas budgets for the investigated ecosystem and very likely for many other terrestrial upland ecosystems as well.     

The utility of process-based models for simulating N2O emissions from soils: A case study based on Costa Rican coffee plantations

Soil moisture and gaseous N-flux (N₂O, N₂) dynamics in Costa Rican coffee plantations were successively simulated using a mechanistic model (PASTIS) and two process-based models (NGAS and NOE). Two fertilized (250 kg N ha⁻¹ y⁻¹) coffee plantations were considered, namely a monoculture and a system shaded by the N₂ fixing legume species Inga densiflora. In situ N₂O fluxes were previously measured in these plantations. NGAS and NOE used specific microbial activities for the soils. To parameterize NGAS, we estimated N mineralization via in situ incubations and the contribution of heterotrophic soil respiration to total soil respiration. Potential denitrification rates and the proportion of denitrified N emitted as N₂O were measured in the laboratory to define the values of NOE parameters, as well as nitrification rates and related N₂O production rates for parameterizing both models. Soil moisture and both NGAS and NOE N₂O fluxes were best modelled on an hourly time step. Soil moisture dynamics were satisfactorily simulated by PASTIS. Simulated N₂O fluxes by both NGAS and NOE (3.2 and 2.1 kg N ha⁻¹ y⁻¹ for NGAS; 7.1 and 3.7 kg N ha⁻¹ y⁻¹ for NOE, for the monoculture and shaded plantations respectively) were within a factor of about 2 of the observed annual fluxes (4.3 and 5.8 kg N ha⁻¹ y⁻¹, for the monoculture and shaded plantations respectively). Statistical indicators of association and coincidence between simulated and measured values were satisfactory for both models. Nevertheless, the two models differed greatly in describing the nitrification and denitrification processes. Some of the algorithms in the model NGAS were apparently not applicable to these tropical acidic Andosols. Therefore, more detailed information about microbial processes in different agroecosystems would be needed, notably if process-oriented models were to be used for testing strategies for mitigating N₂O emissions.     

Seasonal variations of nitrous oxide emission in relation to nitrogen fertilization and energy crop types in sandy soil

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is a greenhouse gas and agricultural soils are major sources of atmospheric N₂O. Its emissions from soils make up the largest part in the global N₂O budget. Research was carried out at the experimental fields of the Leibniz-Institute of Agricultural Engineering Potsdam-Bornim (ATB). Different types (mineral and wood ash) and levels (0, 75 and 150 kg N ha⁻¹) of fertilization were applied to annual (rape, rye, triticale and hemp) and perennial (poplar and willow) plants every year. N₂O flux measurements were performed 4 times a week by means of gas flux chambers and an automated gas chromatograph between 2003 and 2005. Soil samples were also taken close to the corresponding measuring rings. Soil nitrate and ammonium were measured in soil extracts.N₂O emissions had a peak after N fertilization in spring, after plant harvest in summer and during the freezing–thawing periods in winter. Both fertilization and plant types significantly altered N₂O emission. The maximum N₂O emission rate detected was 1081 μg N₂O m⁻² h⁻¹ in 2004. The mean annual N₂O emissions from the annual plants were more than twofold greater than those of perennial plants (4.3 kg ha⁻¹ vs. 1.9 kg ha⁻¹). During January, N₂O fluxes considerably increased in all treatments due to freezing–thawing cycles. Fertilization together with annual cropping doubled the N₂O emissions compared to perennial crops indicating that N use efficiency was greater for perennial plants. Fertilizer-derived N₂O fluxes constituted about 32% (willow) to 67% (rape/rye) of total soil N₂O flux. Concurrent measurements of soil water content, NO₃ and NH₄ support the conclusion that nitrification is main source of N₂O loss from the study soils. The mean soil NO₃-N values of soils during the study for fertilized soils were 1.6 and 0.9 mg NO₃-N kg⁻¹ for 150 and 75 kg N ha⁻¹ fertilization, respectively. This value reduced to 0.5 mg NO₃-N kg⁻¹ for non-fertilized soils.     

Gaseous and leaching nitrogen losses from no-tillage and conventional tillage systems following surface application of cattle manure

Previous studies have demonstrated inconsistent results on the impact of tillage systems on nitrogen (N) losses from field-applied manure. This study assessed the impact of no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) systems on gaseous N losses, N₂O:N₂O + N₂ ratios and NO₃⁻-N leaching following surface application of cattle manure. The study was undertaken during the 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 seasons at two field sites in Nova Scotia namely, Streets Ridge (SR) in Cumberland County and the Bio-environmental Engineering Centre (BEEC) in Truro. Results showed that the NT system had higher (p < 0.05) NH₃ losses than CT. Over the two seasons, manure incorporation in CT reduced NH₃ losses on average by 86% at SR and 78% at BEEC relative to NT. At both sites and during both seasons, denitrification rates and N₂O fluxes in NT were generally higher than in CT plots, presumably due to higher soil water and organic matter content in NT. Over the two seasons, mean denitrification rates at SR were 239 and 119 g N ha⁻¹ d⁻¹, while N₂O fluxes were 120 and 64 g N ha⁻¹ d⁻¹ under NT and CT, respectively. At BEEC mean denitrification rates were 114 and 71 g N ha⁻¹ d⁻¹, while N₂O fluxes were 52 and 27 g N ha⁻¹ d⁻¹ under NT and CT, respectively. Conversely, N₂O:N₂O + N₂ ratios were lower in NT than CT suggesting more complete reduction of N₂O to N₂ under NT. When averaged across all soil depths, NO₃⁻-N was higher (p < 0.05) in CT than NT. Nitrate-N decreased with depth at both sites regardless of tillage. In most cases, NO₃⁻-N was higher under CT than NT at all soil depths. Similarly, flow-weighted average NO₃⁻-N concentrations in drainage water were generally higher under CT. This may be partly attributed to higher denitrification rates under NT. Therefore, NT may be a viable strategy to remove NO₃⁻-N from the soil, and thus, reduce NO₃⁻-N contamination of groundwater. However, it should be noted that while the use of NT reduces NO₃⁻-N leaching it may come with unintended environmental tradeoffs, including increased NH₃ and N₂O emissions.     

Fluxes of nitrous oxide and nitric oxide from experimental excreta patches in boreal agricultural soil

Nitric oxide (NO) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions were measured from experimental dung and urine patches placed on boreal pasture soil during two growing seasons and one autumn period until soil freezing. N₂O emissions in situ were studied by a static chamber method. NO was measured with a dynamic chamber method using a NO analyser in situ. Mean emissions from the control plots were 47.6±4.5 μg N₂ON m⁻² h⁻¹ and 12.6±1.6 μg NON m⁻² h⁻¹. N₂O and NO emissions from urine plots (132±21.2 μg N₂ON m⁻² h⁻¹ and 51.9±7.6 μg NON m⁻² h⁻¹) were higher than those from dung plots (110.0±20.1 μg N₂ON m⁻² h⁻¹ and 14.7±2.1 μg NON m⁻² h⁻¹). There was a large temporal variation in N₂O and NO emissions. Maximum N₂O emissions were measured a few weeks after dung or urine application, whereas the maximum NO emissions were detected the following year. NO was responsible on average 14% (autumn) and 34% (summer) of total (NO+N₂O)N emissions from the pasture soil. NO emissions increased with increasing soil temperature and with decreasing soil moisture. N₂O emissions increased with increasing soil moisture, but did not correlate with soil temperature. Therefore we propose that N₂O and NO were produced mainly during different microbial processes, i.e., nitrification and denitrification, respectively. The results show that the overall conditions and mechanism especially for emissions of NO are still poorly understood but that there are differences in the mechanisms regulating N₂O and NO production.     

Nitrous oxide and methane fluxes during the growing season from cultivated peat soils,peaty marl and gyttja clay under different cropping systems

Drainage of peatlands affects the fluxes of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Organic soils used for agriculture contribute a large proportion of anthropogenic GHG emissions, and on-farm mitigation options are important. This field study investigated whether choice of a cropping system can be used to mitigate emissions of N₂O and influence CH₄ fluxes from cultivated organic and carbon-rich soils during the growing season. Ten different sites in southern Sweden representing peat soils, peaty marl and gyttja clay, with a range of different soil properties, were used for on-site measurements of N₂O and CH₄ fluxes. The fluxes during the growing season from soils under two different crops grown in the same field and same environmental conditions were monitored. Crop intensities varied from grasslands to intensive potato cultivation. The results showed no difference in median seasonal N₂O emissions between the two crops compared. Median seasonal emissions ranged from 0 to 919?µg?N₂O?m^?2?h^?1, with peaks on individual sampling occasions of up to 3317?µg?N₂O?m^?2?h^?1. Nitrous oxide emissions differed widely between sites, indicating that soil properties are a regulating factor. However, pH was the only soil factor that correlated with N₂O emissions (negative exponential correlation). The type of crop grown on the soil did not influence CH₄ fluxes. Median seasonal CH₄ flux from the different sites ranged from uptake of 36?µg CH₄?m^?2?h^?1 to release of 4.5?µg?CH₄?m^?2?h^?1. From our results, it was concluded that farmers cannot mitigate N₂O emissions during the growing season or influence CH₄ fluxes by changing the cropping system in the field.     

Determinants of annual fluxes of CO2 and N2O in long-term no-tillage and conventional tillage systems in northern France

The greenhouse gases CO₂ and N₂O emissions were quantified in a long-term experiment in northern France, in which no-till (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) had been differentiated during 32 years in plots under a maize–wheat rotation. Continuous CO₂ and periodical N₂O soil emission measurements were performed during two periods: under maize cultivation (April 2003–July 2003) and during the fallow period after wheat harvest (August 2003–March 2004). In order to document the dynamics and importance of these emissions, soil organic C and mineral N, residue decomposition, soil potential for CO₂ emission and climatic data were measured. CO₂ emissions were significantly larger in NT on 53% and in CT on 6% of the days. From April to July 2003 and from November 2003 to March 2004, the cumulated CO₂ emissions did not differ significantly between CT and NT. However, the cumulated CO₂ emissions from August to November 2003 were considerably larger for NT than for CT. Over the entire 331 days of measurement, CT and NT emitted 3160 ± 269 and 4064 ± 138 kg CO₂-C ha⁻¹, respectively. The differences in CO₂ emissions in the two tillage systems resulted from the soil climatic conditions and the amounts and location of crop residues and SOM. A large proportion of the CO₂ emissions in NT over the entire measurement period was probably due to the decomposition of old weathered residues. NT tended to emit more N₂O than CT over the entire measurement period. However differences were statistically significant in only half of the cases due to important variability. N₂O emissions were generally less than 5 g N ha⁻¹ day⁻¹, except for a few dates where emission increased up to 21 g N ha⁻¹ day⁻¹. These N₂O fluxes represented 0.80 ± 0.15 and 1.32 ± 0.52 kg N₂O-N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ for CT and NT, respectively. Depending on the periods, a large part of the N₂O emissions occurred was probably induced by nitrification, since soil conditions were not favorable for denitrification. Finally, for the period of measurement after 32 years of tillage treatments, the NT system emitted more greenhouses gases (CO₂ and N₂O) to the atmosphere on an annual basis than the CT system.     

No-till only increases N2O emissions in poorly-aerated soils

Denitrification rates are often greater in no-till than in tilled soils and net soil-surface greenhouse gas emissions could be increased by enhanced soil N₂O emissions following adoption of no-till. The objective of this study was to summarize published experimental results to assess whether the response of soil N₂O fluxes to the adoption of no-till is influenced by soil aeration. A total of 25 field studies presenting direct comparisons between conventional tillage and no-till (approximately 45 site-years of data) were reviewed and grouped according to soil aeration status estimated using drainage class and precipitation during the growing season. The summary showed that no-till generally increased N₂O emissions in poorly-aerated soils but was neutral in soils with good and medium aeration. On average, soil N₂O emissions under no-till were 0.06 kg N ha⁻¹ lower, 0.12 kg N ha⁻¹ higher and 2.00 kg N ha⁻¹ higher than under tilled soils with good, medium and poor aeration, respectively. Our results therefore suggest that the impact of no-till on N₂O emissions is small in well-aerated soils but most often positive in soils where aeration is reduced by conditions or properties restricting drainage. Considering typical soil C gains following adoption of no-till, we conclude that increased N₂O losses may result in a negative greenhouse gas balance for many poorly-drained fine-textured agricultural soils under no-till located in regions with a humid climate.     

Transitioning from standard to minimum tillage: Trade-offs between soil organic matter stabilization, nitrous oxide emissions, and N availability in irrigated cropping systems

Few studies address nutrient cycling during the transition period (e.g., 1–4 years following conversion) from standard to some form of conservation tillage. This study compares the influence of minimum versus standard tillage on changes in soil nitrogen (N) stabilization, nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, short-term N cycling, and crop N use efficiency 1 year after tillage conversion in conventional (i.e., synthetic fertilizer-N only), low-input (i.e., alternating annual synthetic fertilizer- and cover crop-N), and organic (i.e., manure- and cover crop-N) irrigated, maize–tomato systems in California. To understand the mechanisms governing N cycling in these systems, we traced ¹⁵N-labeled fertilizer/cover crop into the maize grain, whole soil, and three soil fractions: macroaggregates (>250 μm), microaggregates (53–250 μm) and silt-and-clay (<53 μm). We found a cropping system effect on soil N_new (i.e., N derived from ¹⁵N-fertilizer or -¹⁵N-cover crop), with 173 kg N_new ha⁻¹ in the conventional system compared to 71.6 and 69.2 kg N_new ha⁻¹ in the low-input and organic systems, respectively. In the conventional system, more N_new was found in the microaggregate and silt-and-clay fractions, whereas, the N_new of the organic and low-input systems resided mainly in the macroaggregates. Even though no effect of tillage was found on soil aggregation, the minimum tillage systems showed greater soil fraction-N_new than the standard tillage systems, suggesting greater potential for N stabilization under minimum tillage. Grain-N_new was also higher in the minimum versus standard tillage systems. Nevertheless, minimum tillage led to the greatest N₂O emissions (39.5 g N₂O–N ha⁻¹ day⁻¹) from the conventional cropping system, where N turnover was already the fastest among the cropping systems. In contrast, minimum tillage combined with the low-input system (which received the least N ha⁻¹) produced intermediate N₂O emissions, soil N stabilization, and crop N use efficiency. Although total soil N did not change after 1 year of conversion from standard to minimum tillage, our use of stable isotopes permitted the early detection of interactive effects between tillage regimes and cropping systems that determine the trade-offs among N stabilization, N₂O emissions, and N availability.     

Elevated CO2 concentration and nitrogen fertilisation effects on N2O and CH4 fluxes and biomass production of Phleum pratense on farmed peat soil

The effects of elevated CO₂ supply on N₂O and CH₄ fluxes and biomass production of Phleum pratense were studied in a greenhouse experiment. Three sets of 12 farmed peat soil mesocosms (10 cm dia, 47 cm long) sown with P. pratense and equally distributed in four thermo-controlled greenhouses were fertilised with a commercial fertiliser in order to add 2, 6 or 10 g N m⁻². In two of the greenhouses, CO₂ concentration was kept at atmospheric concentration (360 μmol mol⁻¹) and in the other two at doubled concentration (720 μmol mol⁻¹). Soil temperature was kept at 15 °C and air temperature at 20 °C. Natural lighting was supported by artificial light and deionized water was used to regulate soil moisture. Forage was harvested and the plants fertilised three times during the basic experiment, followed by an extra fertilisations and harvests. At the end of the experiment CH₄ production and CH₄ oxidation potentials were determined; roots were collected and the biomass was determined. From the three first harvests the amount of total N in the aboveground biomass was determined. N₂O and CH₄ exchange was monitored using a closed chamber technique and a gas chromatograph. The highest N₂O fluxes (on average, 255 μg N₂O m⁻² h⁻¹ during period IV) occurred just after fertilisation at high water contents, and especially at the beginning of the growing season (on average, 490 μg N₂O m⁻² h⁻¹ during period I) when the competition of vegetation for N was low. CH₄ fluxes were negligible throughout the experiment, and for all treatments the production and oxidation potentials of CH₄ were inconsequential. Especially at the highest rates of fertilisation, the elevated supply of CO₂ increased above- and below-ground biomass production, but both at the highest and lowest rates of fertilisation, decreased the total amount of N in the aboveground dry biomass. N₂O fluxes tended to be higher under doubled CO₂ concentrations, indicating that increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentration may affect N and C dynamics in farmed peat soil.     

Boreal pine forest floor biogenic volatile organic compound emissions peak in early summer and autumn

In boreal forests, canopy-scale emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) are rather well characterised, but knowledge of ecosystem-scale BVOC emissions is still inadequate. We used adsorbent tubes to measure BVOCs from a boreal Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forest floor in southern Finland and analysed the compounds with a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. The most abundant compound group was the monoterpenes (averaging 5.04 μg m⁻² h⁻¹), in which α-pinene, Δ³-carene and camphene contributed over 90% of the emissions. Emissions of other terpenoids (isoprene and sesquiterpenes) were low (averaging 0.05 and 0.04 μg m⁻² h⁻¹, respectively). BVOC emissions from the forest floor varied seasonally, peaking in early summer and autumn, with most of the compounds following similar patterns. The emission pattern was sustained throughout the measurement period, suggesting that the main sources of the emissions remained more or less stable. We compared the BVOC fluxes with environmental parameters such as temperature, precipitation and PAR, and with fluxes of other trace gases (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O), as well as with ground vegetation photosynthesis and with litter input. Several of these parameters were correlated with the presence of BVOCs. The sources of soil BVOC emissions are very poorly understood, but our results suggest, that changes in litter quantity and quality, soil microbial activity and the physiological stages of plants are linked with changes in BVOC fluxes.     

Elevated CO2 stimulates N2O emissions in permanent grassland

To evaluate climate forcing under increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentrations, feedback effects on greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide (N₂O) with a high global warming potential should be taken into account. This requires long-term N₂O flux measurements because responses to elevated CO₂ may vary throughout annual courses. Here, we present an almost 9 year long continuous N₂O flux data set from a free air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) study on an old, N-limited temperate grassland. Prior to the FACE start, N₂O emissions were not different between plots that were later under ambient (A) and elevated (E) CO₂ treatments, respectively. However, over the entire experimental period (May 1998–December 2006), N₂O emissions more than doubled under elevated CO₂ (0.90 vs. 2.07 kg N₂O-N ha⁻¹ y⁻¹ under A and E, respectively). The strongest stimulation occurred during vegetative growth periods in the summer when soil mineral N concentrations were low. This was surprising because based on literature we had expected the highest stimulation of N₂O emissions due to elevated CO₂ when mineral N concentrations were above background values (e.g. shortly after N application in spring). N₂O emissions under elevated CO₂ were moderately stimulated during late autumn–winter, including freeze–thaw cycles which occurred in the 8th winter of the experiment. Averaged over the entire experiment, the additional N₂O emissions caused by elevated CO₂ equaled 4738 kg CO₂-equivalents ha⁻¹, corresponding to more than half a ton (546 kg) of CO₂ ha⁻¹ which has to be sequestered annually to balance the CO₂-induced N₂O emissions. Without a concomitant increase in C sequestration under rising atmospheric CO₂ concentrations, temperate grasslands may be converted into greenhouse gas sources by a positive feedback on N₂O emissions. Our results underline the need to include continuous N₂O flux measurements in ecosystem-scale CO₂ enrichment experiments.     

Tillage effects on N2O emissions as influenced by a winter cover crop

Conservation tillage practices are widely used to protect against soil erosion and soil C losses, whereas winter cover crops are used mainly to protect against N losses during autumn and winter. For the greenhouse gas balance of a cropping system the effect of reduced tillage and cover crops on N₂O emissions may be more important than the effect on soil C. This study monitored emissions of N₂O between September 2008 and May 2009 in three tillage treatments, i.e., conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT) and direct drilling (DD), all with (+CC) or without (−CC) fodder radish as a winter cover crop. Cover crop growth, soil mineral N dynamics, and other soil characteristics were recorded. Furthermore, soil concentrations of N₂O were determined eight times during the monitoring period using permanently installed needles. There was little evidence for effects of the cover crop on soil mineral N. Following spring tillage and slurry application soil mineral N was dominated by the input from slurry. Nitrous oxide emissions during autumn, winter and early spring remained low, although higher emissions from +CC treatments were indicated after freezing events. Following spring tillage and slurry application by direct injection N₂O emissions were stimulated in all tillage treatments, reaching 250-400 μg N m⁻² h⁻¹ except in the CT + CC treatment, where emissions peaked at 900 μg N m⁻² h⁻¹. Accumulated emissions ranged from 1.6 to 3.9 kg N₂O ha⁻¹. A strong positive interaction between cover crop and tillage was observed. Soil concentration profiles of N₂O showed a significant accumulation of N₂O in CT relative to RT and DD treatments after spring tillage and slurry application, and a positive interaction between slurry and cover crop residues. A comparison in early May of N₂O emissions with flux estimates based on soil concentration profiles indicated that much of the N₂O emitted was produced near the soil surface.     

Modelling variability in N2O emissions from fertilized agricultural fields

Estimates of long-term landscape-scale N₂O emissions for greenhouse gas inventories are complicated by large temporal and spatial variability. Much of this variability is likely caused by topographic effects on surface and subsurface water flows. We hypothesized that this variability could be explained as degassing events during anaerobic soil conditions and during transitions from anaerobic to aerobic soil conditions as controlled by precipitation and subsequent water redistribution in complex landscapes. We simulated degassing events in the ecosystem model ecosys run in three-dimensional mode to simulate a fertilized agricultural field with topographic variation derived from a digital terrain map. N₂O emissions modelled from two areas within the field that had received 15.5 and 9.9 g N m⁻² as urea in May 1998 were compared with those measured by micrometeorological flux towers during June and July 1998. Modelled N₂O emissions during 1998 accounted for 2.3 and 2.0% of urea N applied at 15.5 and 9.9 g N m⁻², respectively. Degassing events in the model coincided with a key N₂O emission event measured in the field during several days after a rainfall in mid-June. During this event, modelled and measured surface fluxes rose rapidly to exceed 1 mg N m⁻² h⁻¹ for 2-3 d before declining. Emissions modelled concurrently at different topographic positions within the landscape during the emission event had coefficients of variation that varied over time between 30 and 180%. Much of the spatial variability in modelled emissions was attributed to temporal differences in the progression of emission events at different landscape positions caused by lateral water movement. The magnitude of temporal and spatial variability in N₂O emissions suggests that aggregation of flux measurements to regional scales should be based upon sub-daily measurements at representative landscape positions, rather than upon less frequent measurements at individual sites as currently done. The use of three-dimensional ecosystem models with input from digital terrain maps may provide a means for such aggregation to be conducted.     

Fluxes and production pathways of nitrous oxide in different types of tropical forest soils in Thailand

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from the soil surface of five different forest types in Thailand were measured using the closed chamber method. Soil samples were also taken to study the N₂O production pathways. The monthly average emissions (±SD, n?=?12) of N₂O from dry evergreen forest (DEF), hill evergreen forest (HEF), moist evergreen forest (MEF), mixed deciduous forest (MDF) and acacia reforestation (ARF) were 13.0?±?8.2, 5.7?±?7.1, 1.2?±?12.1, 7.3?±?8.5 and 16.7?±?9.2?µg N m^?2 h^?1, respectively. Large seasonal variations in fluxes were observed. Emission was relatively higher during the wet season than during the dry season, indicating that soil moisture and denitrification were probably the main controlling factors. Net N₂O uptake was also observed occasionally. Laboratory studies were conducted to further investigate the influence of moisture and the N₂O production pathways. Production rates at 30% water holding capacity (WHC) were 3.9?±?0.2, 0.5?±?0.06 and 0.87?±?0.01?ng N₂O-nitrogen (N) g-dw^?1day^?1 in DEF, HEF and MEF respectively. At 60% WHC, N₂O production rates in DEF, HEF and MEF soils increased by factors of 68, 9 and 502, respectively. Denitrification was found to be the main N₂O production pathway in these soils except in MEF.     

N2O emissions from different cropping systems and from aerated,nitrifying and denitrifying tanks of a municipal waste water treatment plant

Nitrous oxide emissions, nitrate, water-soluble carbon and biological O₂ demand (BOD₅) were quantified in different cropping systems fertilized with varying amounts of nitrogen (clayey loam, October 1991 to May 1992), in an aerated tank (March 1993 to March 1994), and in the nitrification-denitrification unit (March to July 1994) of a municipal waste water treatment plant. In addition, the N₂O present in the soil body at different depths was determined (February to July 1994). N₂O was emitted by all cropping systems (mean releases 0.13–0.35 mg N₂O m^-2 h^-1), and all the units of the domestic waste water treatment plant (aerated tank 0–6.2 mg N₂O m^-2 h^-1, nitrification tank 0–204,3 mg N₂O m^-2, h^-1, denitrifying unit 0–2.2 mg N₂O m^-2 h^-1). During the N₂O-sampling periods estimated amounts of 0.9, 1.5, 2.4 and 1.4 kg N₂O–N ha^-1, respectively, were released by the cropping systems. The aerated, nitrifying and denitrifying tanks of the municipal waste water treatment plant released mean amounts of 9.1, 71.6 and 1.8 g N₂O–N m^-2, respectively, during the sampling periods.The N₂O emission were significantly positively correlated with nitrate concentrations in the field plots which received no N fertilizer and with the nitrogen content of the aerated sludge tank that received almost exclusively N in the form of NH ₄ ⁺ . Available carbon, in contrast, was significantly negatively correlated with the N₂O emitted in the soil fertilized with 80 kg N ha^-1 year. The significant negative correlation between the emitted N₂O and the carbon to nitrate ratio indicates that the lower the carbon to nitrate ratio the higher the amount of N₂O released. Increasing N₂O emissions seem to occur at electron donorto-acceptor ratios (C_H2_O or BOD₅-to-nitrate ratios) below 50 in the cropping systems and below 1200–1400 in the waste water treatment plant. The trapped N₂O in the soil body down to a depth of 90 cm demonstrates that agricultural production systems seem to contain a considerable pool of N₂O which may be reduced to N₂ on its way to the atmosphere, which may be transported to other environments or which may be released at sometime in the future.Dedicated to Professor J.C.G. Ottow on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

N2O emissions and product ratios of nitrification and denitrification as affected by freezing and thawing

Agricultural soils contribute significantly to atmospheric nitrous oxide (N₂O). A considerable part of the annual N₂O emission may occur during the cold season, possibly supported by high product ratios in denitrification (N₂O/(N₂+N₂O)) and nitrification (N₂O-N/(NO₃⁻-N+NO₂⁻-N)) at low temperatures and/or in response to freeze-thaw perturbation. Water-soluble organic materials released from frost-sensitive catch crops and green manure may further increase winter emissions. We conducted short-term laboratory incubations under standardized moisture and oxygen (O₂) conditions, using nitrogen (N) tracers (¹⁵N) to determine process rates and sources of emitted N₂O after freeze-thaw treatment of soil or after addition of freeze-thaw extract from clover. Soil respiration and N₂O production was stimulated by freeze-thaw or addition of plant extract. The N₂O emission response was inversely related to O₂ concentration, indicating denitrification as the quantitatively prevailing process. Denitrification product ratios in the two studied soils (pH 4.5 and 7.0) remained largely unaltered by freeze-thaw or freeze-thaw-released plant material, refuting the hypothesis that high winter emissions are due to frost damage of N₂O reductase activity. Nitrification rates estimated by nitrate (NO₃⁻) pool enrichment were 1.5-1.8 μg NO₃-N g⁻¹ dw soil d⁻¹ in freeze-thaw-treated soil when incubated at O₂ concentrations above 2.3 vol% and one order of magnitude lower at 0.8 vol% O₂. Thus, the experiments captured a situation with severely O₂-limited nitrification. As expected, the O₂ stress at 0.8 vol% resulted in a high nitrification product ratio (0.3 g g⁻¹). Despite this high product ratio, only 4.4% of the measured N₂O accumulation originated from nitrification, reaffirming that denitrification was the main N₂O source at the various tested O₂ concentrations in freeze-thaw-affected soil. N₂O emission response to both freeze-thaw and plant extract addition appeared strongly linked to stimulation of carbon (C) respiration, suggesting that freeze-thaw-induced release of decomposable organic C was the major driving force for N₂O emissions in our soils, both by fuelling denitrifiers and by depleting O₂. The soluble C (applied as plant extract) necessary to induce a CO₂ and N₂O production rate comparable with that of freeze-thaw was 20-30 μg C g⁻¹ soil dw. This is in the range of estimates for over-winter soluble C loss from catch crops and green manure plots reported in the literature. Thus, freeze-thaw-released organic C from plants may play a significant role in freeze-thaw-related N₂O emissions.     

Nitrous oxide production and consumption in serially diluted soil suspensions as related to in situ N2O emission in submerged soils

A simple method for characterizing soil microbial community composition relevant to N₂O production and consumption was proposed. Ten-fold series soil dilution was prepared. Nitrate or N₂O was provided as the sole electron acceptor. Nitrous oxide concentration in the headspace gas across the serially diluted soil suspensions was measured against controls. Results showed that the patterns of N₂O production and consumption across the soil suspensions provided useful information on the microbial community composition relevant to N₂O production and consumption in these soils. An independent method, to that proposed here, was also employed to characterize denitrifier community compositions of the same soils. Data indicated that information on the soil microbial community composition characterized by both methods were compatible or mutually supporting and apparently related to in situ N₂O emissions. Soil samples from manure (applied with animal manure plus chemical fertilizer) plots had higher denitrification rates than the samples from normal fertilizer (applied with chemical fertilizer only) plots. It was concluded that functional characteristics of soil microbial communities relevant to N₂O production and consumption could be characterized at ecological levels and may potentially affect N₂O emissions.     

Emission of N2O, N2 and CO2 from soil fertilized with nitrate: effect of compaction, soil moisture and rewetting

Soil compaction and soil moisture are important factors influencing denitrification and N₂O emission from fertilized soils. We analyzed the combined effects of these factors on the emission of N₂O, N₂ and CO₂ from undisturbed soil cores fertilized with (150 kg N ha⁻¹) in a laboratory experiment. The soil cores were collected from differently compacted areas in a potato field, i.e. the ridges (ρ_D=1.03 g cm⁻³), the interrow area (ρ_D=1.24 g cm⁻³), and the tractor compacted interrow area (ρ_D=1.64 g cm⁻³), and adjusted to constant soil moisture levels between 40 and 98% water-filled pore space (WFPS).High N₂O emissions were a result of denitrification and occurred at a WFPS≥70% in all compaction treatments. N₂ production occurred only at the highest soil moisture level (≥90% WFPS) but it was considerably smaller than the N₂O-N emission in most cases. There was no soil moisture effect on CO₂ emission from the differently compacted soils with the exception of the highest soil moisture level (98% WFPS) of the tractor-compacted soil in which soil respiration was significantly reduced. The maximum N₂O emission rates from all treatments occurred after rewetting of dry soil. This rewetting effect increased with the amount of water added. The results show the importance of increased carbon availability and associated respiratory O₂ consumption induced by soil drying and rewetting for the emissions of N₂O.     

施肥方式对紫色土农田生态系统N2O和NO排放的影响

依托紫色土施肥方式与养分循环长期试验平台(2002年—),采用静态箱-气相色谱法开展紫色土冬小麦-夏玉米轮作周期(2013年10月至2014年10月)农田生态系统N_2O和NO排放的野外原位观测试验。长期施肥方式包括单施氮肥(N)、传统猪厩肥(OM)、常规氮磷钾肥(NPK)、猪厩肥配施氮磷钾肥(OMNPK)和秸秆还田配施氮磷钾肥(RSDNPK)等5种,氮肥用量相同[小麦季130 kg(N)×hm~(-2),玉米季150 kg(N)×hm~(-2)],不施肥对照(CK)用于计算排放系数,对比不同施肥方式对紫色土典型农田生态系统土壤N_2O和NO排放的影响,以期探寻紫色土农田生态系统N_2O和NO协同减排的施肥方式。结果表明,所有施肥方式下紫色土N_2O和NO排放速率波动幅度大,且均在施肥初期出现峰值;强降雨激发N_2O排放,但对NO排放无明显影响。在整个小麦-玉米轮作周期,N、OM、NPK、OMNPK和RSDNPK处理的N_2O年累积排放量分别为1.40 kg(N)×hm~(-2)、4.60 kg(N)×hm~(-2)、0.95 kg(N)×hm~(-2)、2.16kg(N)×hm~(-2)和1.41 kg(N)×hm~(-2),排放系数分别为0.41%、1.56%、0.25%、0.69%、0.42%;NO累积排放量分别为0.57 kg(N)×hm~(-2)、0.40 kg(N)×hm~(-2)、0.39 kg(N)×hm~(-2)、0.46 kg(N)×hm~(-2)和0.17 kg(N)×hm~(-2),排放系数分别为0.21%、0.15%、0.15%、0.17%、0.07%。施肥方式对紫色土N_2O和NO累积排放量具有显著影响(P0.05),与NPK处理比较,OM和OMNPK处理的N_2O排放分别增加384%和127%,同时NO排放分别增加3%和18%;RSDNPK处理的NO排放减少56%。表明长期施用猪厩肥显著增加N_2O和NO排放,而秸秆还田有效减少NO排放。研究表明,土壤温度和水分条件均显著影响小麦季N_2O和NO排放(P0.01),对玉米季N_2O和NO排放没有显著影响(P0.05),土壤无机氮含量则是在小麦-玉米轮作期N_2O和NO排放的主要限制因子(P0.01)。全量秸秆还田与化肥配合施用是紫色土农田生态系统N_2O和NO协同减排的优化施肥方式。