Effect of management, climate and soil conditions on N2O and NO emissions from an arable crop rotation using high temporal resolution measurements

Quantifying the nitrous oxide (N₂O) and nitric oxide (NO) fluxes emitted from croplands remains a major challenge. Field measurements in different climates, soil and agricultural conditions are still scarce and emissions are generally assessed from a small number of measurements. In this study, we report continuously measured N₂O and NO fluxes with a high temporal resolution over a 2-year crop sequence of barley and maize in northern France. Measurements were carried out using 6 automatic chambers at a rate of 16 mean flux measurements per day. Additional laboratory measurements on soil cores were conducted to study the response of NO and N₂O emissions to environmental conditions.The detection limit of the chamber setup was found to be 3 ng N m⁻² s⁻¹ for N₂O and 0.1 ng N m⁻² s⁻¹ for NO. Nitrous oxide fluxes were higher than the threshold 37% of the time, while they were 72% of the time for NO fluxes.The cumulated annual NO and N₂O emissions were 1.7 kg N₂O-N ha⁻¹ and 0.5 kg NO-N ha⁻¹ in 2007, but 2.9 kg N₂O-N ha⁻¹ and 0.7 kg NO-N ha⁻¹ in 2008. These inter-annual differences were largely related to crop types and to their respective management practices. The forms, amounts and timing of nitrogen applications and the mineralization of organic matter by incorporation of crop residues were found to be the main factor controlling the emissions peaks. The inter-annual variability was also due to different weather conditions encountered in 2007 and 2008. In 2007, the fractioned N inputs applied on barley (54 kg ha⁻¹ in March and in April) did not generate N₂O emissions peaks because of the low rainfall during the spring. However, the significant rainfall observed in the summer and fall of 2007, promoted rapid decomposition of barley residues which caused high levels of N₂O emissions. In 2008, the application of dairy cattle slurry and mineral fertilizer before the emergence of maize (107 kg N_min ha⁻¹ or 130 kg N_tot ha⁻¹ in all) coincided with large rainfalls promoting both NO and N₂O emissions, which remained high until early summer.Laboratory measurements corroborated the field observations: NO fluxes were maximum at a water-filled pore space (WFPS) of around 27% while N₂O fluxes were optimal at 68% WFPS, with a maximum potentially 14 times larger than for NO.     

Short-term effects of single or combined application of mineral N fertilizer and cattle slurry on the fluxes of radiatively active trace gases from grassland soil

After implementation of legislative measures for the reduction of environmental hazards from nitrate leaching and ammonia volatilisation when using organic manures and fertilizers in Europe, much attention is now paid to the specific effects of these fertilizers on the dynamics of global warming-relevant trace gases in soil. Particularly nitrogen fertilizers and slurry from animal husbandry are known to play a key role for the CH₄ and N₂O fluxes from soils. Here we report on a short-term evaluation of trace gas fluxes in grassland as affected by single or combined application of mineral fertilizer and organic manure in early spring. Methane fluxes were characterised by a short methane emission event immediately after application of cattle slurry. Within the same day methane fluxes returned to negative, and on average over the 4-day period after slurry application, only a small but insignificant trend to reduced methane oxidation was found. Nitrous oxide emissions showed a pronounced effect of combined slurry and mineral fertilizer application. In particular fresh cattle slurry combined with calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) mineral fertilizer induced an increase in mean N₂O flux during the first 4 days after application from 10 to 300 μg N₂O-N m⁻² h⁻¹. ¹⁵N analysis of emitted N₂O from ¹⁵N-labelled fertilizer or manure indicated that easily decomposable slurry C compounds induced a pronounced promotion of N₂O-N emission derived from mineral CAN fertilizer. Fluxes after application of either mineral fertilizer or slurry alone showed an increase of less than 5-fold. The NO_x sink strength of the soil was in the range of −6 to −10 μg NO_x-N m⁻² h⁻¹ and after fertilization it showed a tendency to be reduced by no more than 2 μg NO_x-N m⁻² h⁻¹, which was a result of both, increased NO emission and slightly increased NO₂ deposition. Associated determination of the N₂O:N₂ emission ratio revealed that after mineral N application (CAN) a large proportion (c. 50%) was emitted as N₂O, while after application of slurry with easily decomposable C and predominantly -N serving as N-source, the N₂O:N₂ emission ratio was 1:14, i.e. was changed in favour of N₂. Our work provides evidence that particularly the combination of slurry and nitrate-containing N fertilizers gives rise to considerable N₂O emissions from mineral fertilizer N pool.     

Nitrous oxide emissions from boreal organic soil under different land-use

Nitrous oxide emissions were studied with a static chamber technique during 2 years from a drained organic soil in eastern Finland. After drainage, the soil was forested with birch (Betula pendula Roth) and 22 years later, part of the forest was felled and then used for cultivation of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and grass. The annual N₂O emissions from the cultivated soil (from 8.3 to 11.0 kg N₂O-N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) were ca. twice the annual emission from the adjacent forest site (4.2 kg N₂O-N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹). The N₂O emissions from the soils without plants (kept bare by regular cutting or tilling) were also lower (from 6.5 to 7.1 kg N₂O-N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) than those from the cultivated soil. There was a high seasonal variation in the fluxes with a maximum in spring and early summer. The N₂O fluxes during the winter period accounted for 15-60% of the total annual emissions. N₂O fluxes during the snow-free periods were related to the water table (WT) level, water-filled pore space, carbon mineralisation and the soil temperature. A linear regression model with CO₂ production, WT and soil temperature at the depth of 5 cm as independent variables explained 54% of the variation in the weekly mean N₂O fluxes during the snow-free periods. N₂O fluxes were associated with in situ net nitrification, which alone explained 58% of the variation in the mean N₂O fluxes during the snow-free period. The N₂O-N emissions were from 1.5 to 5% of net nitrification. The acetylene blockage technique indicated that most of the N₂O emitted in the snow-free period originated from denitrification.     

Sources and rates of nitrous oxide emissions from grazed grassland after application of N-labelled mineral fertilizer and slurry

Nitrogen (N) fertilizer application and grazing are known to induce nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from grassland soils. In a field study, general information on rates of N₂O emission, the effect of cattle grazing and the type (mineral fertilizer, cattle slurry) and amount of N supply on the flux of N₂O from a sandy soil were investigated. N₂O emissions from permanent grassland managed as a mixed system (two cuts followed by two grazing cycles) were monitored over 11 months during 2001-2002 in northern Germany using the closed chamber method. The field experiment consisted of four regionally relevant fertilizer combinations, i.e. two mineral N application rates (0 and 100 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) and two slurry levels (0 and 74 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹).Mean cumulative N₂O-N loss was 3.0 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, and the cumulative ¹⁵N-labelled N₂O emissions varied from 0.03% to 0.19% of the ¹⁵N applied. ¹⁵N labelling indicated that more N₂O was emitted from mineral N than from slurry treated plots, and in all treatments the soil N pool was always clearly the major source of N₂O. Regarding the total cumulative N₂O losses, differences among treatments were not significant, which was caused by: (i) a high variance in emissions during and after cattle grazing due to the random distribution of excrements and by (ii) high N₂ fixation of white clover in the 0 kg N ha⁻¹ treatments, which resulted in similar N status of all treatments. However before grazing started, treatments showed significant differences. After cattle grazing in summer, N₂O emission rates were higher than around the time of spring fertilizer application, or in winter. Grazing resulted in N₂O flux rates up to 489 μg N₂O-N m⁻² h⁻¹ and the grazing period contributed 31-57% to the cumulative N₂O emission. During freeze-thaw cycles in winter (December-February) N₂O emission rates of up to 147 μg N₂O-N m⁻² h⁻¹ were measured, which contributed up to 26% to the annual N₂O flux. The results suggest that N fertilizer application and grazing caused only short-term increases of N₂O flux rates whereas the major share of annual N₂O emission emitted from the soil N pool. The significantly increased N₂O fluxes during freeze-thaw cycles show the importance of emission events in winter which need to be covered by measurements for obtaining reliable estimates of annual N₂O emissions.     

Long-term application of organic manure and nitrogen fertilizer on N2O emissions, soil quality and crop production in a sandy loam soil

A long-term field experiment was established to determine the influence of mineral fertilizer (NPK) or organic manure (composed of wheat straw, oil cake and cottonseed cake) on soil fertility. A tract of calcareous fluvo-aquic soil (aquic inceptisol) in the Fengqiu State Key Experimental Station for Ecological Agriculture (Fengqiu county, Henan province, China) was fertilized beginning in September 1989 and N₂O emissions were examined during the maize and wheat growth seasons of 2002-2003. The study involved seven treatments: organic manure (OM), half-organic manure plus half-fertilizer N (1/2 OMN), fertilizer NPK (NPK), fertilizer NP (NP), fertilizer NK (NK), fertilizer PK (PK) and control (CK). Manured soils had higher organic C and N contents, but lower pH and bulk densities than soils receiving the various mineralized fertilizers especially those lacking P, indicating that long-term application of manures could efficiently prevent the leaching of applied N from and increase N content in the plowed layer. The application of manures and fertilizers at a rate of 300 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ significantly increased N₂O emissions from 150 g N₂O-N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in the CK treatment soil to 856 g N₂O-N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in the OM treatment soil; however, there was no significant difference between the effect of fertilizer and manure on N₂O emission. More N₂O was released during the 102-day maize growth season than during the 236-day wheat growth season in the N-fertilized soils but not in N-unfertilized soils. N₂O emission was significantly affected by soil moisture during the maize growth season and by soil temperature during the wheat growth season. In sum, this study showed that manure added to a soil tested did not result in greater N₂O emission than treatment with a N-containing fertilizer, but did confer greater benefits for soil fertility and the environment.     

Nitrogen oxides emission from soils bearing a potato crop as influenced by fertilization with treated pig slurries and composts

Nitrous oxide, nitric oxide and denitrification losses from an irrigated soil amended with organic fertilizers with different soluble organic carbon fractions and ammonium contents were studied in a field study covering the growing season of potato (Solanum tuberosum). Untreated pig slurry (IPS) with and without the nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD), digested thin fraction of pig slurry (DTP), composted solid fraction of pig slurry (CP) and composted municipal solid waste (MSW) mixed with urea were applied at a rate of 175 kg available N ha⁻¹, and emissions were compared with those from urea (U) and a control treatment without any added N fertilizer (Control). The cumulative denitrification losses correlated significantly with the soluble carbohydrates, dissolved N and total C added. Added dissolved organic C (DOC) and dissolved N affected the N₂O/N₂ ratio, and a lower ratio was observed for organic fertilizers than from urea or unfertilized controls. The proportion of N₂O produced from nitrification was higher from urea than from organic fertilizers. Accumulated N₂O losses during the crop season ranged from 3.69 to 7.31 kg N₂O-N ha⁻¹ for control and urea, respectively, whereas NO losses ranged from 0.005 to 0.24 kg NO-N ha⁻¹, respectively. Digested thin fraction of pig slurry compared to IPS mitigated the total N₂O emission by 48% and the denitrification rate by 33%, but did not influence NO emissions. Composted pig slurry compared to untreated pig slurry increased the N₂O emission by 40% and NO emission by 55%, but reduced the denitrification losses (34%). DCD partially inhibited nitrification rates and reduced N₂O and NO emissions from pig slurry by at least 83% and 77%, respectively. MSW+U, with a C:N ratio higher than that of the composted pig slurry, produced the largest denitrification losses (33.3 kg N ha⁻¹), although N₂O and NO emissions were lower than for the U and CP treatments.This work has shown that for an irrigated clay loam soil additions of treated organic fertilizers can mitigate the emissions of the atmospheric pollutants NO and N₂O in comparison with urea.     

Spatial and temporal variation of nitrous oxide and methane flux between subtropical mangrove sediments and the atmosphere

We quantified spatial and temporal variations of the fluxes of nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄) and associated abiotic sediment parameters across a subtropical river estuary sediment dominated by grey mangrove (Avicennia marina). N₂O and CH₄ fluxes from sediment were measured adjacent to the river (“fringe”) and in the mangrove forest (“forest”) at 3-h intervals throughout the day during autumn, winter and summer. N₂O fluxes from sediment ranged from an average of −4 μg to 65 μg N₂O m⁻² h⁻¹ representing N₂O sink and emission. CH₄ emissions varied by several orders of magnitude from 3 μg to 17.4 mg CH₄ m⁻² h⁻¹. Fluxes of N₂O and CH₄ differed significantly between sampling seasons, as well as between fringe and forest positions. In addition, N₂O flux differed significantly between time of day of sampling. Higher bulk density and total carbon content in sediment were significant contributors towards decreasing N₂O emission; rates of N₂O emission increased with less negative sediment redox potential (E_h). Porewater profiles of nitrate plus nitrite (NO_x⁻) suggest that denitrification was the major process of nitrogen transformation in the sediment and possible contributor to N₂O production. A significant decrease in CH₄ emission was observed with increasing E_h, but higher sediment temperature was the most significant variable contributing to CH₄ emission. From April 2004 to July 2005, sediment levels of dissolved ammonium, nitrate, and total carbon content declined, most likely from decreased input of diffuse nutrient and carbon sources upstream from the study site; concomitantly average CH₄ emissions decreased significantly. On the basis of their global warming potentials, N₂O and CH₄ fluxes, expressed as CO₂-equivalent (CO₂-e) emissions, showed that CH₄ emissions dominated in summer and autumn seasons (82-98% CO₂-e emissions), whereas N₂O emissions dominated in winter (67-95% of CO₂-e emissions) when overall CO₂-e emissions were low. Our study highlights the importance of seasonal N₂O contributions, particularly when conditions driving CH₄ emissions may be less favourable. For the accurate upscaling of N₂O and CH₄ flux to annual rates, we need to assess relative contributions of individual trace gases to net CO₂-e emissions, and the influence of elevated nutrient inputs and mitigation options across a number of mangrove sites or across regional scales. This requires a careful sampling design at site-level that captures the potentially considerable temporal and spatial variation of N₂O and CH₄ emissions.     

Contribution of nitrification and denitrification to N2O emissions from urine patches

Urine deposition by grazing livestock causes an immediate increase in nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, but the responsible mechanisms are not well understood. A nitrogen-15 (¹⁵N) labelling study was conducted in an organic grass-clover sward to examine the initial effect of urine on the rates and N₂O loss ratio of nitrification (i.e. moles of N₂O-N produced per moles of nitrate produced) and denitrification (i.e. moles of N₂O produced per moles of N₂O+N₂ produced). The effect of artificial urine (52.9 g N m⁻²) and ammonium solution (52.9 g N m⁻²) was examined in separate experiments at 45% and 35% water-filled pore space (WFPS), respectively, and in each experiment a water control was included. The N₂O loss derived from nitrification or denitrification was determined in the field immediately after application of ¹⁵N-labelled solutions. During the next 24 h, gross nitrification rates were measured in the field, whereas the denitrification rates were measured in soil cores in the laboratory. Compared with the water control, urine application increased the N₂O emission from 3.9 to 42.3 μg N₂O-N m⁻² h⁻¹, whereas application of ammonium increased the emission from 0.9 to 6.1 μg N₂O-N m⁻² h⁻¹. In the urine-affected soil, nitrification and denitrification contributed equally to the N₂O emission, and the increased N₂O loss resulted from a combination of higher rates and higher N₂O loss ratios of the processes. In the present study, an enhanced nitrification rate seemed to be the most important factor explaining the high initial N₂O emission from urine patches deposited on well-aerated soils.     

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.     

The influence of winter soil cover on spring nitrous oxide emissions from an agricultural soil

In temperate regions, a majority of N₂O is emitted during spring soil thawing. We examined the influence of two winter field covers, snow and winter rye, on soil temperature and subsequent spring N₂O emissions from a New York corn field over two years. The first season (2006-07) was a cold winter (2309 h below 0 °C at 8 cm soil depth), historically typical for the region. The snow removal treatment resulted in colder soils and higher N₂O fluxes (73.3 vs. 57.9 ng N₂O-N cm⁻² h⁻¹). The rye cover had no effect on N₂O emissions. The second season (2007-08) was a much milder winter (1271 h below freezing at 8 cm soil depth), with lower N₂O fluxes overall. The winter rye cover resulted in lower N₂O fluxes (5.9 vs. 33.7 ng N₂O-N cm⁻² h⁻¹), but snow removal had no effect. Climate scenarios predict warmer temperature and less snow cover in the region. Under these conditions, spring N₂O emissions can be expected to decrease and could be further reduced by winter rye crops.     

Inoculation with N2-generating denitrifier strains mitigates N2O emission from agricultural soil fertilized with poultry manure

Pelleted poultry manure is recommended for use with agricultural soil as a replacement for chemical fertilizers; however, application of the manure stimulates nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission from the soil through denitrification. To mitigate the N₂O emission caused by application of pelleted poultry manure, soil microcosms were set up; each microcosm was inoculated with one of the following N₂-generating denitrifier strains previously been isolated from paddy soil: Azoarcus, Dyella, Dechloromonas, Niastella, and Burkholderia. When pelleted poultry manure was incubated on its own, N₂O was produced by denitrification. In contrast, N₂O emission was significantly lowered when the manure was inoculated with most of the N₂-generating strains. In soil microcosms, N₂O was emitted during incubation after application of the pelleted manure, while N₂O flux was significantly lowered when the soil was inoculated with Azoarcus sp. KS11B, Niastella sp. KS31B, or Burkholderia sp. TSO47-3 on the 12th day of incubation. In addition, when pelleted manure was inoculated with the strains prior to application in the soil microcosms, the level of N₂O emission was significantly lowered to ca. 40–60 % that from the non-inoculated control. Our study provides the prototype of a technique that uses microbial technology to mitigate N₂O emission from agricultural soil fertilized with pelleted poultry manure.     

NO, N2O, CH4 and CO2 fluxes in winter barley field of Japanese Andisol as affected by N fertilizer management

The study was carried out at the experimental station of the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences to investigate gas fluxes from a Japanese Andisol under different N fertilizer managements: CD, a deep application (8 cm) of the controlled release urea; UD, a deep application (8 cm) of the conventional urea; US, a surface application of the conventional urea; and a control, without any N application. NO, N₂O, CH₄ and CO₂ fluxes were measured simultaneously in a winter barley field under the maize/barley rotation. The fluxes of NO and N₂O from the control were very low, and N fertilization increased the emissions of NO and N₂O. NO and N₂O from N fertilization treatments showed different emission patterns: significant NO emissions but low N₂O emissions in the winter season, and low NO emissions but significant N₂O emissions during the short period of barley growth in the spring season. The controlled release of the N fertilizer decreased the total NO emissions, while a deep application increased the total N₂O emissions. Fertilizer-derived NO-N and N₂O-N from the treatments CD, UD and US accounted for 0.20±0.07%, 0.71±0.15%, 0.62±0.04%, and 0.52±0.04%, 0.50±0.09%, 0.35±0.03%, of the applied N, respectively, during the barley season. CH₄ fluxes from the control were negative on most sampling dates, and its net soil uptake was 33±7.1 mg m⁻² during the barley season. The application of the N fertilizer decreased the uptake of atmospheric CH₄ and resulted in positive emissions from the soil. CO₂ fluxes were very low in the early period of crop growth while higher emissions were observed in the spring season. The N fertilization generally increased the direct CO₂ emissions from the soil. N₂O, CH₄ and CO₂ fluxes were positively correlated (P<0.01) with each other, whereas NO and CO₂ fluxes were negatively correlated (P<0.05). The N fertilization increased soil-derived global warming potential (GWP) significantly in the barley season. The net GWP was calculated by subtracting the plant-fixed atmospheric CO₂ stored in its aboveground parts from the soil-derived GWP in CO₂ equivalent. The net GWP from the CD, UD, US and the control were all negative at −243±30.7, −257±28.4, −227±6.6 and −143±9.7 g C m⁻² in CO₂ equivalent, respectively, in the barley season.     

Diffusion of N-labelled N2O into soil columns: a promising method to examine the fate of N2O in subsoils

Nitrous oxide research has generally focused directly on measuring fluxes of N₂O from the soil surface. The fate of N₂O in the subsoil has often been placed in the ‘too hard’ basket. However, determining the production, fate and movement of N₂O in the subsoil is vital in fully understanding the sources of surface fluxes and in compiling accurate inventories for N₂O emissions. The aim of this study was to generate and introduce into soil columns ¹⁵N labelled N₂O, and to try and determine the consumption of the ¹⁵N₂O and production of ambient N₂O. Columns, 100 cm long by 15 cm diameter, were repacked with sieved soil (sampled from 0 to 5 cm depth) and instrumented with silicone rubber gas sampling ports. Nitrous oxide enriched with ¹⁵N was generated using a thermal decomposition process at 300 °C and then transferred to 2 l flasks. After equilibrating with SF₆ tracer gas the ¹⁵N₂O was introduced into the soil columns via passive diffusion. Gas samples from the soil profile and headspace flux were taken over a 12-day period. A watering event was simulated to perturb the ¹⁵N₂O gas composition in the soil profile. Using the measured ¹⁵N enriched fluxes and the rate of decline in ¹⁵N in the N₂O reservoir, from which the N₂O diffused into the soil, we calculated an N₂O sink (consumption plus absorption by water) equal to 0.48 ng N₂O g⁻¹ soil h⁻¹. The decrease in the ¹⁵N enrichment between successive soil depths indicated N₂O production in the soil profile and we calculated a net N₂O production rate of 0.88 ng N₂O g⁻¹ soil h⁻¹. This pilot study demonstrated the potential for simultaneously measuring both N₂O consumption and production rates, using the ¹⁵N enrichment of the N₂O measured. Further potential refinements of the methodology are discussed.     

Seasonal changes in the spatial structures of N2O, CO2, and CH4 fluxes from Acacia mangium plantation soils in Indonesia

We evaluated the spatial structures of nitrous oxide (N₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and methane (CH₄) fluxes in an Acacia mangium plantation stand in Sumatra, Indonesia, in drier (August) and wetter (March) seasons. A 60 × 100-m plot was established in an A. mangium plantation that included different topographical elements of the upper plateau, lower plateau, upper slope and foot slope. The plot was divided into 10 × 10-m grids and gas fluxes and soil properties were measured at 77 grid points at 10-m intervals within the plot. Spatial structures of the gas fluxes and soil properties were identified using geostatistical analyses. Averaged N₂O and CO₂ fluxes in the wetter season (1.85 mg N m⁻² d⁻¹ and 4.29 g C m⁻² d⁻¹, respectively) were significantly higher than those in the drier season (0.55 mg N m⁻² d⁻¹ and 2.73 g C m⁻² d⁻¹, respectively) and averaged CH₄ uptake rates in the drier season (−0.62 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹) were higher than those in the wetter season (−0.24 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹). These values of N₂O fluxes in A. mangium soils were higher than those reported for natural forest soils in Sumatra, while CO₂ and CH₄ fluxes were in the range of fluxes reported for natural forest soils. Seasonal differences in these gas fluxes appears to be controlled by soil water content and substrate availability due to differing precipitation and mineralization of litter between seasons. N₂O fluxes had strong spatial dependence with a range of about 18 m in both the drier and wetter seasons. Topography was associated with the N₂O fluxes in the wetter season with higher and lower fluxes on the foot slope and on the upper plateau, respectively, via controlling the anaerobic-aerobic conditions in the soils. In the drier season, however, we could not find obvious topographic influences on the spatial patterns of N₂O fluxes and they may have depended on litter amount distribution. CO₂ fluxes had no spatial dependence in both seasons, but the topographic influence was significant in the drier season with lowest fluxes on the foot slope, while there was no significant difference between topographic positions in the wetter season. The distributions of litter amount and soil organic matter were possibly associated with CO₂ fluxes through their effects on microbial activities and fine root distribution in this A. mangium plantation.     

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.     

Carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane dynamics in boreal organic agricultural soils with different soil characteristics

The annual carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄) dynamics were measured with static chambers on two organic agricultural soils with different soil characteristics. Site 1 had a peat layer of 30 cm, with an organic matter (OM) content of 74% in the top 20 cm. Site 2 had a peat layer of 70 cm but an OM content of only 40% in the top 20 cm. On both sites there were plots under barley and grass and also plots where the vegetation was removed. All soils were net sources of CO₂ and N₂O, but they consumed atmospheric CH₄. Soils under barley had higher net CO₂ emissions (830 g CO₂-C m⁻² yr⁻¹) and N₂O emissions (848 mg N₂O-N m⁻² yr⁻¹) than those under grass (395 g CO₂-C m⁻³ yr⁻¹ and 275 mg N₂O-N m⁻² yr⁻¹). Bare soils had the highest N₂O emissions, mean 2350 mg N₂O-N m⁻² yr⁻¹. The mean CH₄ uptake rate from vegetated soils was 100 mg CH₄-C m⁻³ yr⁻¹ and from bare soils 55 mg CH₄-C m⁻² yr⁻¹. The net CO₂ emissions were higher from Site 2, which had a high peat bulk density and a low OM content derived from the addition of mineral soil to the peat during the cultivation history of that site. Despite the differences in soil characteristics, the mean N₂O emissions were similar from vegetated peat soils from both sites. However, bare soils from Site 2 with mineral soil addition had N₂O emissions of 2-9 times greater than those from Site 1. Site 1 consumed atmospheric CH₄ at a higher rate than Site 2 with additional mineral soil. N₂O emissions during winter were an important component of the N₂O budget even though they varied greatly, ranging from 2 to 99% (mean 26%) of the annual emission.     

Accumulation of nitrous oxide and depletion of oxygen in seasonally frozen soils in northern Japan - Snow cover manipulation experiments

It has been suggested that soil-thawing and snow-melting are critical triggers for vigorous emissions of nitrous oxide (N₂O) from soils in cold regions. However, because soil freezing is affected by air temperature and snow cover, accurate predictions that estimate subsequent emissions of this important greenhouse gas are difficult to make. In this study, we measured in situ soil gas N₂O and oxygen (O₂) concentrations at two experimental sites in northern Japan over the period of a year, from November 2008 to October 2009, to clarify the factors stimulating N₂O production in soil at low temperatures. The sites were N-fertilized bare arable lands with different soil frost depths and snowmelt rates, according to the snow cover management imposed. Winter-to-spring net N₂O fluxes, ranging from −0.10 to 1.95 kg N₂O-N ha⁻¹, were positively correlated with the annual maximum soil frost depth (ranging from 0.03 to 0.41 m; r = 0.951***). In the plots with deeper maximum soil frost, winter-to-spring N₂O fluxes represented 58% to 85% of the annual values. Soil N₂O production was stimulated when the soil frost depth was greater than 0.15 m or the daily mean soil temperature at 0.05-m depth was below −2.0 °C. In the soil with the greatest frost depth, soil gas N₂O concentrations at the depth of 0.10 m peaked at 46 ppm when soil gas O₂ concentrations fell down to 0.12 m³ m⁻³ under soil temperature below 0.0 °C. Snowmelt acceleration had no stimulating effect on N₂O production in the soil during the winter-to-spring period.     

Land use effects on gross nitrogen mineralization, nitrification, and N2O emissions in ephemeral wetlands

Stable ¹⁵N isotope dilution and tracer techniques were used in cultivated (C) and uncultivated (U) ephemeral wetlands in central Saskatchewan, Canada to: (1) quantify gross mineralization and nitrification rates and (2) estimate the relative proportion of N₂O emissions from these wetlands that could be attributed to denitrification versus nitrification-related processes. In-field incubation experiments were repeated in early May, mid-June and late July. Mean gross mineralization and nitrification rates (10.3 and 3.1 mg kg⁻¹ d⁻¹, respectively) did not differ between C and U wetlands on any given date. Despite these similarities, the mean NH₄⁺ pool size in the U wetlands (17.2 mg kg⁻¹) was two to three times that of the C wetlands (6.7 mg kg⁻¹) whereas the mean NO₃⁻ pool size in U wetlands (2.2 mg kg⁻¹) was less than half that of C wetlands (5.8 mg kg⁻¹). Mean N₂O emissions from the C wetlands decreased from 112.8 to 17.0 ng N₂O m² s⁻¹ from May to July, whereas mean U-wetland N₂O emissions ranged only from 31.8 to 51.1 ng N₂O m² s⁻¹ over the same period. This trend is correlated to water-filled pore space in C wetlands, demonstrating a soil moisture influence on emissions. Denitrification is generally considered the dominant emitter of N₂O under anaerobic conditions, but in the C wetlands, only 49% of the May emissions could be directly attributed to denitrification, decreasing to 29% in July. In contrast, more than 75% of the N₂O emissions from the U wetlands arose from denitrification of the soil NO₃⁻ pool throughout the season. These land use differences in emission sources and rates should be taken into consideration when planning management strategies for greenhouse gas mitigation.     

Role of nitrite and nitric oxide in the processes of nitrification and denitrification in soil: Results from N tracer experiments

Recent research has proven soil nitrite to be a key element in understanding N-gas production (NO, N₂O, N₂) in soils. NO is widely accepted to be an obligatory intermediate of N₂O formation in the denitrification pathway. However, studies with native soils could not confirm NO as a N₂O precursor, and field experiments mainly revealed ammonium nitrification as the source of NO. The hypothesis was constructed, that the limited diffusion of NO in soil is the reason for this contradiction. To test this diffusion limitation hypothesis and to verify nitrite and NO as free intermediates in native soils we conducted through-flow (He/O₂ atmosphere) ¹⁵N tracer experiments using black earth soil in an experimental set up free of diffusion limitation. All of the three relevant inorganic N soil pools (ammonium, nitrite, nitrate) were ¹⁵N labelled in separate incubation experiments lasting 81 h based on the kinetic isotope method. During the experiments the partial pressure of O₂ was decreased in four steps from 20% to about 0%. The net NO emission increased up to 3.7 μg N kg⁻¹ h⁻¹ with decreasing O₂ partial pressure. Due to the special experimental set up with little to no obstructions of gas diffusion, only very low N₂O emission could be observed. As expected the content of the substrates ammonium, nitrate and nitrite remained almost constant over the incubation time. The ¹⁵N abundance of nitrite revealed high turnover rates. The contribution of nitrification of ammonium to the total nitrite production was approx. 88% under strong aerobic soil conditions but quickly decreased to zero with declining O₂ partial pressure. It is remarkable that already under the high partial pressure of 20% O₂ 12 % of nitrite is generated by nitrate denitrification, and under strict anaerobic conditions it increases to 100%. Nitrite is present in two separate endogenous pools at least, each one fed by the nitrification of ammonium or the denitrification of nitrate. The experiments clearly revealed that nitrite is almost 100% the direct precursor of NO formation under anaerobic as well as aerobic conditions. Emitted N₂O only originated to about 100% from NO under strict anaerobic conditions (0-0.2% O₂), providing evidence that NO is a free intermediate of N₂O formation by denitrification. To the best of our knowledge this is the first time that NO has been detected in a native soil as a free intermediate product of N₂O formation at denitrification. These results clearly verify the “diffusion limitation” hypothesis.     

Seasonal variation and fire effects on CH4, N2O and CO2 exchange in savanna soils of northern Australia

Tropical savanna ecosystems are a major contributor to global CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O greenhouse gas exchange. Savanna fire events represent large, discrete C emissions but the importance of ongoing soil-atmosphere gas exchange is less well understood. Seasonal rainfall and fire events are likely to impact upon savanna soil microbial processes involved in N₂O and CH₄ exchange. We measured soil CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O fluxes in savanna woodland (Eucalyptus tetrodonta/Eucalyptus miniata trees above sorghum grass) at Howard Springs, Australia over a 16 month period from October 2007 to January 2009 using manual chambers and a field-based gas chromatograph connected to automated chambers. The effect of fire on soil gas exchange was investigated through two controlled burns and protected unburnt areas. Fire is a frequent natural and management action in these savanna (every 1-2 years). There was no seasonal change and no fire effect upon soil N₂O exchange. Soil N₂O fluxes were very low, generally between −1.0 and 1.0 μg N m⁻² h⁻¹, and often below the minimum detection limit. There was an increase in soil NH₄⁺ in the months after the 2008 fire event, but no change in soil NO₃⁻. There was considerable nitrification in the early wet season but minimal nitrification at all other times.Savanna soil was generally a net CH₄ sink that equated to between −2.0 and −1.6 kg CH₄ ha⁻¹ y⁻¹ with no clear seasonal pattern in response to changing soil moisture conditions. Irrigation in the dry season significantly reduced soil gas diffusion and as a consequence soil CH₄ uptake. There were short periods of soil CH₄ emission, up to 20 μg C m⁻² h⁻¹, likely to have been caused by termite activity in, or beneath, automated chambers. Soil CO₂ fluxes showed a strong bimodal seasonal pattern, increasing fivefold from the dry into the wet season. Soil moisture showed a weak relationship with soil CH₄ fluxes, but a much stronger relationship with soil CO₂ fluxes, explaining up to 70% of the variation in unburnt treatments. Australian savanna soils are a small N₂O source, and possibly even a sink. Annual soil CH₄ flux measurements suggest that the 1.9 million km² of Australian savanna soils may provide a C sink of between −7.7 and −9.4 Tg CO₂-e per year. This sink estimate would offset potentially 10% of Australian transport related CO₂-e emissions. This CH₄ sink estimate does not include concurrent CH₄ emissions from termite mounds or ephemeral wetlands in Australian savannas.