Tillage and land use effects on methane oxidation rates and their vertical profiles in soil

 The effect of land use and different soil tillage systems on CH₄ oxidation was tested in a laboratory incubation study. Intact soil cores were collected from the topsoil (0–12 cm) of a field site with ploughed, direct-drilled and set-aside treatments, and from an adjacent undisturbed forest site. CH₄ oxidation rates were 4.5 to 11 times higher in the direct-drilled than in the continuously ploughed treatment, in the set-aside soil they were intermediate. The oxidation rates in the forest soil were 11 times the highest rate measured at the field site, pointing to a distinct land use effect. Vertical profiles of CH₄ oxidation activity revealed a very clear zonation in all treatments. CH₄ oxidation increased significantly below the plough layer (0–25 cm), and showed a subsurface maximum under direct-drilling (5–15 cm) and under forest (5–10 cm). The vertical zonation under set-aside was comparable to that under ploughing. Generally, the maximum CH₄ oxidizing activity was in the zone nearest to the soil surface, unless various constraints prevented this. Received: 1 December 1997     

Short-term effects of nitrogen on methane oxidation in soils

 The short-term effects of N addition on CH₄ oxidation were studied in two soils. Both sites are unfertilized, one has been under long-term arable rotation, the other is a grassland that has been cut for hay for the past 125 years. The sites showed clear differences in their capacity to oxidise CH₄, the arable soil oxidised CH₄ at a rate of 0.013 μg CH₄ kg^–1 h^–1 and the grassland soil approximately an order of magnitude quicker. In both sites the addition of (NH₄)₂SO₄ caused an immediate reduction in the rate of atmospheric CH₄ oxidation approximately in inverse proportion to the amount of NH₄ ⁺ added. The addition of KNO₃ caused no change in the rate of CH₄ oxidation in the arable soil, but in the grassland soil after 9 days the rate of CH₄ oxidation had decreased from 0.22 μg CH₄ kg^–1 h^–1 to 0.13 μg CH₄ kg^–1 h^–1 in soil treated with the equivalent of 192 kg N ha^–1. A ¹⁵N isotopic dilution technique was used to investigate the role of nitrifiers in regulating CH₄ oxidation. The arable soil showed a low rate of gross N mineralisation (0.67 mg N kg^–1 day^–1), but a relatively high proportion of the mineralised N was nitrified. The grassland soil had a high rate of gross N mineralisation (18.28 mg N kg^–1 day^–1), but negligible nitrification activity. It is hypothesised that since there was virtually no nitrification in the grassland soil then CH₄ oxidation at this site must be methanotroph mediated. Received: 31 October 1997     

Short- and long-term effects of nitrogen fertilization on methane oxidation in three Swedish forest soils

 Under normal conditions, CH₄, one of the most important greenhouse gases, is subject to biological oxidation in forest soils. However, this process can be negatively affected by N amendment. The reported experiment was conducted in order to study the short- and long-term effects of N amendment on CH₄ oxidation in pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forest soils. Soil samples were taken from three experimental sites, two of which had been amended with N once, over 20 years earlier, while the third had been amended 3 weeks earlier. The soil samples were incubated fresh at 15  °C at ambient CH₄ concentrations (ca. 1.8 ppmv CH₄). The variation in CH₄-turnover rates was high within the treatments: CH₄ was produced [up to 22.6 pmol CH₄ g dry wt. soil^–1 h^–1] in samples from the recently amended site, whereas it was consumed at high rates (up to 431 pmol CH₄ g dry wt. soil^–1 h^–1) in samples from the plot that had received the highest N amendment 27 years before sampling. Although no significant differences were found between N treatments, in the oldest plots there was a correlation between consumption of atmospheric CH₄ and the total C content at a depth of 7.5–15 cm in the mineral soil (r ²=0.74). This indicates that in the long-term, increased C retention in forest soils following N amendment could lead to increased CH₄ oxidation. Received: 3 September 1997     

Influence of N and non-N salts on atmospheric methane oxidation by upland boreal forest and tundra soils

 The short-term (24 h) and medium-term (30 day) influence of N salts (NH₄Cl, NaNO₃ and NaNO₂) and a non-N salt (NaCl) on first-order rate constants, k (h^–1) and thresholds (C_Th) for atmospheric CH₄ oxidation by homogenized composites of upland boreal forest and tundra soils was assessed at salt additions ranging to 20 μmol g^–1 dry weight (dw) soil. Additions of NH₄Cl, NaNO₃ and NaCl to 0.5 μmol g^–1 dw soil did not significantly decrease k relative to watered controls in the short term. Higher concentrations significantly reduced k, with the degree of inhibition increasing with increasing dose. Similar doses of NH₄Cl and NaCl gave comparable decreases in k relative to controls and both soils showed low native concentrations of NH₄ ⁺-N (≤1 μmol g^–1dw soil), suggesting that the reduction in k was due primarily to a salt influence rather than competitive inhibition of CH₄ oxidation by exogenous NH₄ ⁺-N or NH₄ ⁺-N released through cation exchange. The decrease in k was consistently less for NaNO₃ than for NH₄Cl and NaCl at similar doses, pointing to a strong inhibitory effect of the Cl^– counter-anion. Thresholds for CH₄ oxidation were less sensitive to salt addition than k for these three salts, as significant increases in C_Th relative to controls were only observed at concentrations ≥1.0 μmol g^–1 dw soil. Both soils were more sensitive to NaNO₂ than to other salts in the short term, showing a significant decrease in k at an addition of 0.25 μmol NaNO₂ g^–1 dw soil that was clearly attributable to NO₂ ^–. Soils showed no recovery from NaCl, NH₄ ⁺-N or NaNO₃ addition with respect to atmospheric CH₄ oxidation after 30 days. However, soils amended with NaNO₂ to 1.0 μmol NaNO₂ g^–1 dw showed values of k that were not significantly different from controls. Recovery of CH₄-oxidizing ability was due to complete oxidation of NO₂ ^–-N to NO₃ ^–-N. Analysis of soil concentrations of N salts necessary to inhibit atmospheric CH₄ oxidation and regional rates of N deposition suggest that N deposition will not decrease the future sink strength of upland high-latitude soils in the atmospheric CH₄ budget. Received: 30 April 1999     

Soil respiration and carbon balance of gray forest soils as affected by land use

 Soil respiration was measured by closed chamber and gradient methods in soils under forest, sown meadow and crops. Annual total soil respiration determined with the closed chamber method ranged from 180 to 642 g CO₂-C m^–2 year^–1 and from 145 to 382 g CO₂-C m^–2 year^–1 determined with the CO₂ profile method. Soil respiration increased in the order: cropland<sown meadow<forest. The C balance calculated as the difference between net primary production (sink) and respiration of heterotrophs (source) suggested an equilibrium between the input and output of C in the cropland, and sequestration of 135 and 387 g CO₂-C m^–2 year^–1 in the forest and meadow, respectively. Received: 1 December 1997     

The role of rice plants in regulating mechanisms of methane missions

 Rice plants play a pivotal role in different levels of the methane (CH₄) budget of rice fields. CH₄ production in rice fields largely depends on plant-borne material that can be either decaying tissue or root exudates. The quantity and quality of root exudates is affected by mechanical impedance, presence of toxic elements, nutrient deficiencies, water status of growing medium, and nitrogenase activity in the rhizosphere. CH₄ oxidation in rice fields is localized in the rhizosphere where the concentration gradients of CH₄ and oxygen overlap. CH₄ oxidation capacity is a function of the downward transport of oxygen through the aerenchyma, which, in turn, also acts as a conduit for CH₄ from the soil to the atmosphere. The decisive step in the passage of CH₄ through rice plant is the transition from root to stem. However, rice plants show an enormous variety of morphological and physiological properties, including differences in root exudation and gas transfer capacity. Comparative studies on different cultivars are deemed crucial for accomplishing a better understanding of the mechanisms of CH₄ consumption in the rhizosphere and CH₄ transport through the rice plant as well as the interaction of these processes. The results of such studies are considered tools for devising mitigation options. Received: 7 April 1999     

Soil organic matter quantity and quality in mountain soils of the Alay Range, Kyrgyzia, affected by land use change

 Changes in soil management practices influence the amount, quality and turnover of soil organic matter (SOM). Our objective was to study the effects of deforestation followed by pasture establishment on SOM quantity, quality and turnover in mountain soils of the Sui Checti valley in the Alay Range, Kyrgyzia. This objective was approached by analysis of total organic C (TOC), N, lignin-derived phenols, and neutral sugars in soil samples and primary particle-size soil fractions. Pasture installation led to a loss of about 30% TOC compared with the native Juniperus turkestanica forests. The pasture soils accumulated about 20% N, due to inputs via animal excrement. A change in land use from forest to pasture mainly affected the SOM bound to the silt fraction; there was more microbial decomposition in the pasture than in the forest silt fraction, as indicated by lower yields of lignin and carbohydrates, and also by a more advanced oxidative lignin side-chain oxidation and higher values of plant : microbial sugar ratios. The ratio of arabinose : xylose was indicative of the removal of carbohydrates when the original forest was replaced by pasture, and we conclude that this can be used as an indicator of deforestation. The accumulation of lignin and its low humification within the forest floor could be due to the extremely cold winter and dry summer climate. Received: 10 March 1999     

Short-term kinetic response of enhanced methane oxidation in landfill cover soils to environmental factors

 This paper aims at a better understanding of methane oxidation under conditions that are representative of landfill cover soils. The kinetics of methane oxidation were studied in landfill cover soils that had been exposed to high methane mixing ratios. This was done in batch experiments, under various environmental conditions. V _max increased exponentially with temperature in the range 5–35  °C, with a Q ₁₀ value of 2.8. K _m increased approximately linearly in this range from 1.2 μM to 7 μM. Consequently, the influence of temperature on methane consumption was more pronounced at high concentrations than at low concentrations. The inhibition by ammonium of methane consumption was much stronger after 6–7 months of exposure to high methane mixing ratios than after 5–7 weeks of exposure, indicating that there was a shift of dominating methanotrophic species in soils after long exposure times. Additions of nitrifying sludge or compost to soils initially inhibited methane oxidation, followed by a stimulation after a few days. Received: 19 May 2000     

Effect of temperature on reduction of iron and production of carbon dioxide and methane in anoxic wetland rice soils

 Wetland rice soils from Italy (Pavia) and the Philippines (Bugallon, Luisiana, Maligaya) were incubated under anoxic conditions at 31 different temperatures ranging from 4.7  °C to 49.5  °C. Production of CO₂ was most intensive at the beginning of the incubation (0–4 days) and was predominantly coupled to the reduction of free Fe(III). The optimum temperature for these processes was between 32  °C and 41  °C. After 9–16 days, CO₂ production rates had decreased and the available Fe(III) had been completely reduced at the optimum temperatures. However, Fe(III) was still available at temperatures below and above the optimum. Maximum CH₄ production rates were observed after 4–16 days (except in soil from Maligaya) with temperature optima between 32  °C and 41  °C, similar to those for CO₂ production and Fe reduction. Since ongoing Fe reduction is known to suppress CH₄ production, the temperature range of optimum CH₄ production was restricted to those temperatures at which Fe(III) had already been depleted. Nevertheless, the temperature characteristics of both CO₂ and CH₄ production often exhibited two temperature optima at some time during the incubation, suggesting a complex pattern of adaptation of the methanogenic microbial community to temperature. When available Fe(III) was completely depleted by anoxic pre-incubation at 30  °C, CH₄ was produced at a constant rate (steady state conditions) which increased with increasing temperature. Steady state CH₄ production reached a first maximum at about 40  °C, but increased further up to at least 50  °C, suggesting the presence of thermophilic microorganisms whose activity was apparently masked when Fe had not been completely reduced. The apparent activation energy of CH₄ production at steady state ranged between 48 kJ mol^–1 and 65 kJ mol^–1. Received: 26 August 1999     

Nitrous oxide emissions and methane oxidation by soil following cultivation of two different leguminous pastures

 Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions and methane (CH₄) consumption were quantified following cultivation of two contrasting 4-year-old pastures. A clover sward was ploughed (to 150–200 mm depth) while a mixed herb ley sward was either ploughed (to 150–200 mm depth) or rotovated (to 50 mm depth). Cumulative N₂O emissions were significantly greater following ploughing of the clover sward, with 4.01 kg N₂O-N ha^–1 being emitted in a 48-day period. Emissions following ploughing and rotovating of the ley sward were much less and were not statistically different from each other, with 0.26 and 0.17 kg N₂O-N ha^–1 being measured, respectively, over a 55-day period. The large difference in cumulative N₂O between the clover and ley sites is presumably due to the initially higher soil NO₃ ^– content, greater water filled pore space and lower soil pH at the clover site. Results from a denitrification enzyme assay conducted on soils from both sites showed a strong negative relationship (r=–0.82) between soil pH and the N₂O:(N₂O+N₂) ratio. It is suggested that further research is required to determine if control of soil pH may provide a relatively cheap mitigation option for N₂O emissions from these soils. There were no significant differences in CH₄ oxidation rates due to sward type or form of cultivation. Received: 1 November 1998     

Ethylene oxidation,atmospheric methane consumption,and ammonium oxidation in temperate volcanic forest soils

Temperate volcanic forest surface soils under different forest stands (e.g., Pinus sylvestris L., Cryptomeria japonica, and Quercus serrata) were sampled to study the kinetics of ethylene (C₂H₄) oxidation and the C₂H₄ concentrations that effectively inhibit oxidation of atmospheric methane (CH₄) and nitrification. The kinetics of C₂H₄ oxidation in temperate volcanic forest soils was biphasic, indicating that at least two different microbial populations, one with low and another with high apparent K _m values, were responsible for ethylene oxidation. Methane consumption activity and ammonium oxidation of soil were inhibited by adding ethylene. Added C₂H₄ at concentrations of 3, 10, and 20 μl C₂H₄ per liter in the headspace gas respectively reduced by 20%, 50%, and 100% atmospheric CH₄ consumption by soil, and these values were much smaller than those inhibiting ammonium oxidation in these forest soils; thus, the CH₄ consumption activity was more sensitive to the addition of C₂H₄ than ammonium oxidation. Previous studies have shown that accumulation of C₂H₄ in such volcanic forest soils within 3 days of aerobic and anaerobic incubations can reach a range from 0.2 to 0.3 and from 1.0 to 3.0 μl C₂H₄ per liter in the headspace gas, respectively. It is suggested that C₂H₄ production beneath forest floors, particularly after heavy rain, can to some extent affect the capacity of forest surface soils to consume atmospheric CH₄, but probably, it has no impact on ammonium oxidation.     

Methane fluxes and nitrogen dynamics from a drained fenland peat

 Rates of methane uptake were measured in incubation studies with intact cores from adjacent fenland peats that have been under arable management and woodland management for at least the past 30 years. On two separate occasions the woodland peat showed greater rates of uptake than the arable peat. These rates ranged from 23.1 to 223.3 μg CH₄ m^–2 day^–1 for the woodland peat and from 29.6 to 157.6 μg CH₄ m^–2 day^–1 for the arable peat. When the peats were artificially flooded there was a decrease in the rate of methane oxidation, but neither site showed any net efflux of methane. ¹⁵N isotopic dilution was used to characterise nitrogen cycling within the two peats. Both showed similar rates of gross nitrogen mineralisation (3.58 mg N kg^–1 day^–1, arable peat; 3.54 N kg^–1 day^–1, woodland peat) and ammonium consumption (4.19 arable peat and 4.70 mg N kg^–1 day^–1 woodland peat). There were significant differences in their inorganic ammonium and nitrate pool sizes, and the rate of gross nitrification was significantly higher in the woodland peat (4.90 mg N kg^–1 day^–1) compared to the arable peat (1.90 mg N kg^–1 day^–1). These results are discussed in the light of high atmospheric nitrogen deposition. Received: 1 December 1997     

Wetland rice soils as sources and sinks of methane: a review and prospects for research

 Rice paddies are an important human-made ecosystem for the global CH₄ budget. CH₄, which is produced in the predominantly anaerobic bulk soil layers, is oxidized significantly before it reaches the atmosphere. Roots of rice, in addition to supporting the consumption of CH₄, contribute to the total CH₄ production in the soil. The various controls of CH₄ emission from this ecosystem depend on the structure of plant and microbial communities and their interactions. Availability of organic substrates, electron acceptors and other soil- and plant-related factors influence the activities of microbial communities. Agronomic practices including fertilization and application of pesticides have effects on CH₄ emission. Recent studies using molecular retrieval approaches with small subunit rRNA-encoding gene (rDNA) sequences and functional genes, showed the richness of diversity of the microbial community in rice paddy soils, which includes members of the Archaea and methanotrophs. There is need for further research to know the consequences, at the ecosystem level, of changes in microbial diversity and microbial communities in paddy soils. This will aid in understanding the mechanisms involved in the mitigating effects of certain agricultural practices. Received: 13 July 1999     

The influence of land use and fallow period on the properties of two calcareous soils in the humid tropics of southern Mexico

Calcareous soils are common in the humid tropics of Mexico, but little is known about their productivity and resistance to changes in land use. The influence of land use and duration of fallow on physical and chemical properties were investigated in (a) a loamy Rendzina (at Site A) rich in organic matter and limited in depth by calcareous gravel, and (b) a deeper Calcaric Phaeozem (at Site B) with a more clayey texture throughout. Plots at different successional stages within farmers' shifting cultivation systems were selected on both soils: cropland/young fallow (zero years fallow length), shrub-fallow and tree-fallow at Site A, and cropland/young fallow and forest at Site B. Changes in soil properties suggested a process of recovery with fallow length, in which organic matter, total N and CEC increased with time. The increase in organic matter was remarkably large, on average 0.5–0.6% per year. The Rendzina contained more organic matter than the Calcaric Phaeozem, probably because of its greater carbonate content, which is presumed to protect organic matter against decomposition. The differences in soil properties were mostly greater over time than between treatments.     

Influence of the insecticide carbofuran on the production and oxidation of methane in a flooded rice soil

Applications of a commercial formulation of carbofuran, a carbamate insecticide, at rates of 2kg and 12kg active ingredient ha^–1 to flooded fields planted to rice led to significant inhibition of methane emission. Likewise, laboratory incubation studies showed that carbofuran applied at low rates (5 and 10μgg^–1soil) inhibited the net methane production relative to that of the control, but stimulated it when applied at a rate of 100μgg^–1soil. Interestingly, carbofuran increased the oxidation of methane when applied at low rates and inhibited it when applied at a rate of 100μgg^–1soil. Received: 5 May 1997     

Variation in diazotrophic community structure in forest soils reflects land use history

Microbial nitrogen fixation is an important source of nitrogen in soils of both old and secondary-growth forests. Considering that many soils, which today support secondary-growth forests were once under cultivation, no studies have examined how this kind of disturbance history affects contemporary populations of nitrogen-fixing microbes in forest soils. In the work presented here, we compare secondary-growth forest sites, which were under cultivation more than 150 years ago, to old-growth forest sites in Cadwell Forest, Massachusetts. For each site, nitrogenase activity was measured and the diversity of the nifH gene pools was examined. Three sites with prior agricultural history exhibited higher nitrogenase activity and were dominated by diazotrophs closely related to the α- and γ-Proteobacteria. In contrast, lower nitrogenase activity and the dominance of the anaerobic Cluster III diazotrophs characterized the three old forest sites. Further analyses of species overlap among all six sites revealed that the diazotrophic composition was closely related to previous management history, with agricultural sites clustering together and separate from old forest sites, independent of the proximity between sites. By specifically targeting one of the main functions of microbial communities in soils, the activity and diversity of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, this work points to a long-lasting effect of former agricultural activities on secondary-growth forest soils, more than one hundred years after succession.     

Methane oxidation in arable soil as inhibited by ammonium, nitrite, and organic manure with respect to soil pH

 The effects of inorganic N and organic manure, applied to a loamy arable soil, on CH₄ oxidation were investigated in laboratory incubation experiments. Applications (40 mg N kg^–1) of NH₄Cl, (NH₄)₂SO₄, and urea caused strong instantaneous inhibition of CH₄ oxidation by 96%, 80%, and 84%, respectively. After nitrification of the added N the inhibitory effect was not fully reversible, resulting in an residual inhibition of 21%, 16%, and 25% in the NH₄Cl, (NH₄)₂SO₄, and urea treatments, respectively. With large NH₄ ⁺ applications [240 mg N kg^–1 as (NH₄)₂SO₄] the residual inhibition was as high as 64%. Exogenous NO₂ ^– (40 mg NO₂ ^–-N kg^–1) initially inhibited CH₄ oxidation by 84%, decreasing to 41% after its oxidation. Therefore, applied NO₂ ^– was a more effective inhibitor of CH₄ consumption than NH₄ ⁺. Temporary accumulation of NO₂ ^– during nitrification of added N was small (maximum: 1.9 mg NO₂ ^–-N kg^–1) and thus of minor importance with respect to the persistent inhibition after NH₄ ⁺ or urea application. CH₄ oxidation after NaNO₃ (40 mg N kg^–1) and NaCl addition did not differ to that of the untreated soil. The effect of organic manures on CH₄ oxidation depended on their C/N ratio: fresh sugar beet leaves enhanced mineralization, which caused an instantaneous 20% inhibition, whereas after wheat straw application available soil N was rapidly immobilized and no effect on CH₄ oxidation was found. The 28% increase in CH₄ oxidation after biowaste compost application was not related to its C/N ratio and was probably the result of an inoculation with methanotrophic bacteria. Only with high NH₄ ⁺ application rates (240 mg N kg^–1) could the persistent inhibitory effect partly be attributed to a pH decrease during nitrification. The exact reason for the observed persistent inhibition after a single, moderate NH₄ ⁺ or urea application is still unknown and merits further study. Received: 31 October 1997     

氮肥对土壤氧化甲烷的影响研究

阐述了N肥用量、品种对土壤氧化甲垸(CH_4)的影响以及高浓度CH_4对这一影响的反作用,土壤可通过固定一定量的外源N确保土壤具有相对稳定的氧化大气CH_4能力,N含量低的土壤适量施用N肥可刺激甲烷氧化菌繁殖和功能的发挥,促进大气CH_4氧化。但当外源N用量超出一定范围时甲烷氧化菌Type Ⅰ对环境变化十分敏感,会产生抑制作用并表现为长期和短期2种效应,铵态氮具有短期更具长期效应,其直接结果是引起土壤中甲炕氧化菌尤其是Type Ⅰ数量的减少和作用的减弱,该抑制作用是单向、不可逆的。由于甲烷氧化菌Type Ⅰ和Ⅱ可被高浓度CH_4激活,不易受N肥的长期影响,有些水田土壤施用N肥甚至促进甲烷氧化菌繁殖,即N的影响是双向且可逆的。     

Fluxes of methane and carbon dioxide from soil under forest, grazing land, irrigated rice and rainfed field crops in a watershed of Nepal

Field evolution of CH₄ and CO₂ from soils under four dominant land uses in the Mardi watershed, western Nepal, were monitored at 15-day intervals for 1 year using closed chamber techniques. The CH₄ oxidation rate (mean±SE, g CH₄ m^–2 h^–1) in the forest (22.8±6) was significantly higher than under grazing land (14±2) and an upland rainfed maize and millet system (Bari) (2.6±0.9). Irrigated rice fields (Khet) showed an oxidation rate of 6±0.8 g CH₄ m^–2 h^–1 in the dry season (December–May) but emitted a mean rate of 131 g CH₄ m^–2 h^–1 in the rainy season and autumn (June–October). The evolution of CO₂ ranged from 10 mg CO₂ m^–2 h^–1 in the Bari in January to 1,610 mg CO₂ m^–2 h^–1 in the forest in July. Higher evolution of CO₂ (mean±SE, mg CO₂ m^–2 h^–1) was observed in the Bari (399±39) and forest (357±36) compared to Khet (246±25) and grazing (206±20) lands. The annual emission of CO₂ evolution varied from 86.6 to 1,836 g CO₂ m^–2 year^–1. The activation energy for CH₄ and CO₂ varied between 16–283 and 80–117 kJ mol^–1, respectively. The estimated temperature coefficient for CO₂ emission varied from 2.5 to 5.0. Temperature explained 46–51% of the variation in CO₂ evolution, whereas it explained only 4–36% of the variation in CH₄ evolution.     

土地定量化模型在土地利用系统的应用

运用验证后的土地定量化模型(PS123)对曲周地区土地利用系统部分因素如冬小麦适播期、灌溉措施及光温生产潜力研究分析表明,该区冬小麦适播期为9月底～10月底,并宜选用早熟品种,总灌水量为180～240mm,平水年宜灌水3次左右,应重视冬小麦拔节后罐水,中后期灌水宜采用75～90mm较大定额。运用PS123模型计算该区冬小麦光温生产潜力为1.101万kg/hm~2左右。