Importance of hydrogenotrophic, aceticlastic and methylotrophic methanogenesis for methane production in terrestrial, aquatic and other anoxic environments: A mini review

Microbial methanogenesis is a major source of the greenhouse gas methane(CH4).It is the final step in the anaerobic degradation of organic matter when inorganic electron acceptors such as nitrate,ferric iron,or sulfate have been depleted.Knowledge of this degradation pathway is important for the creation of mechanistic models,prediction of future CH4 emission scenarios,and development of mitigation strategies.In most anoxic environments,CH4 is produced from either acetate(aceticlastic methanogenesis)or hydrogen(H2)plus carbon dioxide(CO2)(hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis).Hydrogen can be replaced by other CO2-type methanogenesis,using formate,carbon monoxide(CO),or alcohols as substrates.The ratio of these two pathways is tightly constrained by the stoichiometry of conversion processes.If the degradation of organic matter is complete(e.g.,degradation of straw in rice paddies),then fermentation eventually results in production of acetate and H2 at a ratio of>67%aceticlastic and<33%hydrogenotrophic methanogensis.However,acetate production can be favored when heterotrophic or chemolithotrophic acetogenesis is enhanced,and H2 production can be favored when syntrophic acetate oxidation is enhanced.This typically occurs at low and elevated temperatures,respectively.Thus,temperature can strongly influence the methanogenic pathway,which may range from 100%aceticlastic methanogenesis at low temperatures to 100%hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis at high temperatures.However,if the degradation of organic matter is not complete(e.g.,degradation of soil organic matter),the stoichiometry of fermentation is not tightly constrained,resulting,for example,in the preferential production of H2,followed by hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis.Preferential production of CH4 by either aceticlastic or hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis can also happen if one of the methanogenic substrates is not consumed by methanogens but is,instead,accumulated,volatilized,or utilized otherwise.Methylotrophic methanogens,which can use methanol as a substrate,are widespread,but it is unlikely that methanol is produced in similar quantities as acetate,CO2,and H2.Methylotrophic methanogenesis is important in saline environments,where compatible solutes are degraded to methyl compounds(trimethyl amine and dimethyl sulfide)and then serve as non-competitive substrates,while acetate and hydrogen are degraded by non-methanogenic processes,e.g.,sulfate reduction.     

用树轮δ13C重建过去300年大气CO2浓度

The annual series of δ13C were measured in tree rings of three Cryptomeria fortunei disks （OF-1, OF-2, and OF- 3） collected from West Tianmu Mountain, Zhejiang Province, China, according to cross-dating tree ring ages. There was no obvious decreasing trend of the δ13C annual time series of CF-2 before 1835. However, from 1835 to 1982 the three tree ring δ13C annual series exhibited similar decreasing trends that were significantly （P ≤ 0.001） correlated. The distribution characteristics of a scatter diagram between estimated δ13C series of CF-2 from modeling and the atmospheric CO2 concentration extracted from the Law Dome ice core from 1840 to 1978 were analyzed and a curvilinear regression equation for reconstructing atmospheric CO2 concentration was established with R2 = 0.98. Also, a test of independent samples indicated that between 1685 and 1839 the reconstructed atmospheric CO2 concentration .using the δ13C series of CF-2 had a close relationship with the Law Dome and Siple ice cores, with a standard deviation of 1.98. The general increasing trend of the reconstructed atmospheric CO2 concentration closely reflected the 10ng-term variation of atmospheric CO2 concentration recorded both before and after the Industrial Revolution. Between 1685 and 1840 the evaluated atmospheric CO2 concentration was stable, but after 1840 it exhibited a rapid increase. Given a longer δ13C annual time series of tree rings, it was feasible to rebuild a representative time series to describe the atmospheric CO2 concentration for an earlier period and for years that were not in the ice core record.     

动物农家肥的应用与环境化学研究进展

Animal manure consists of predominantly urine and feces,but also may contain bedding materials,dropped feed,scurf,and other farming wastes.Manure is typically applied to soils as fertilizer for agricultural production.The estimated amount of manure produced in 12 major livestock-producing countries is 9 × 10~9 Mg of manure annually.Manure is rich in plant nutrients.However,manure is also considered as an environmental pollutant when it is over-applied to cropland or following runoff into surface water.Manure can also in?uence global climate change via emissions of methane(CH_4) and nitrous oxide(N_2O).Thus,increased and updated knowledge of applied and environmental chemistry of animal manure is needed to shed light on the research and development of animal manure utilization and minimization of its adverse environmental concerns.The advances in basic and applied studies of manure major components,organic matter,phosphorus,and nitrogen,primarily related to US livestock production are summarized in this review.Detailed focus was placed on three notable challenges for future manure research:1) soil application of animal manure,2)manure phytate phosphorus,and 3) manure nitrogen availability.This review may contribute to the global effort in sustainable and environmentally sound agriculture by stimulating new ideas and directions in animal manure research,and promoting application of knowledge and insight derived from manure research into improved manure management strategies.     

农业用地施用生物固体废弃物---对全球P循环的贡献：综述

Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient required for plant development.Continuous population growth and rising global demand for food are expected to increase the demand for phosphate fertilizers.However,high-quality phosphate rock reserves are progressively becoming scarce.Part of the increased pressure on P resources could be alleviated by recycling P present in biosolids.Therefore,it is crucial to understand the dynamics of P in biosolid-amended soils,the effects of residual biosolid-borne P in soils,the way in which microorganisms may control P dynamics in biosolid-amended soils and the environmental implications of the use of biosolids as a source of P.Further research is needed to maximize biosolid-borne P uptake by crops and minimize its loss from biosolid-amended soils.The analysis of the microbiological control of P dynamics in biosolid-amended soils indicates interactions of biosolid P with other nutrients such as carbon (C) and nitrogen (N),suggesting that harmonization of the current regulation on the use of biosolids in agriculture,mainly based on total N and pollutant contents,is needed to better recycle P in agriculture.     

Foreword

A decade is only a very short instant in the long human history, but as far as agricultural engineering in China is concerned, the last decade has gathered the endeavor of many scientists and technicians. They have made positive and useful contributions to our agriculture. I like on this occasion of the issuring of this celebrating edition to express my sincere respect to them. I hope they in their future work can continuously apply their useful technology to agricultural production, raise the productivity and the quality of products, increase the ability in overcoming natural disasters.     

中国化肥使用带来的环境问题

The current status of chemical fertilizers production and consumption in China as well as their important roles in Chinese modern agriculture are discussed with special concerns to the environmental issues related to chemical fertilizer use.On the one hand.the total amount of chemical fertilizer produced is insufficient to meet the agricultural needs.On the other hand.the production and consumption of chemical fertilizers in China are obviously not balanced.In some areas over application of nitrogen fertilizers and loss of phosphate fertilizer due to soil erosion have resulted in some undesirable environmental problems such as increase of nitrate in water and eutrophication of water bodies.Maximum scientific uses of organic manures in combination with reasonable use of chemical fertilizers are part of good practices not only in increasuing soil productivity and keeping sustainable agriculture development but also in minimizing their detrimental effects on the environment.     

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria-alleviators of abiotic stresses in soil: A review

With the continuous increase in human population,there is widespread usage of chemical fertilizers that are responsible for introducing abiotic stresses in agricultural crop lands.Abiotic stresses are major constraints for crop yield and global food security and therefore require an immediate response.The implementation of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria(PGPR)into the agricultural production system can be a profitable alternative because of its efficiency in plant growth regulation and abiotic stress management.These bacteria have the potential to promote plant growth and to aid in the management of plant diseases and abiotic stresses in the soil through production of bacterial phytohormones and associated metabolites as well as through significant root morphological changes.These changes result in improved plant-water relations and nutritional status in plants and stimulate plants’defensive mechanisms to overcome unfavorable environmental conditions.Here,we describe the significance of plant-microbe interactions,highlighting the role of PGPR,bacterial phytohormones,and bacterial metabolites in relieving abiotic environmental stress in soil.Further research is necessary to gather in-depth knowledge on PGPR-associated mechanisms and plant-microbe interactions in order to pave a way for field-scale application of beneficial rhizobacteria,with the aim of building a healthy and sustainable agricultural system.Therefore,this review aims to emphasize the role of PGPR in growth promotion and management of abiotic soil stress with the goal of developing an eco-friendly and cost-effective strategy for future agricultural sustainability.     

Hydrogen cyanide production by soil bacteria: Biological control of pests and promotion of plant growth in sustainable agriculture

Currently, plant diseases and insect infestations are mainly controlled by the extraneous application of pesticides. Unfortunately, the indiscriminate use of such agrochemicals can cause ecological and environmental problems, as well as human health hazards. To obviate the potential pollution arising from the application of agrochemicals, biological control of soilborne pathogens or insect pests using antagonistic microorganisms may be employed. Certain soil bacteria, algae, fungi, plants and insects possess the unique ability to produce hydrogen cyanide(HCN), which plays an important role in the biotic interactions of those organisms. In particular, cyanogenic bacteria have been found to inhibit the growth of various pathogenic fungi, weeds, insects, termites and nematodes. Thus, the use of HCN-producing bacteria as biopesticides offers an ecofriendly approach for sustainable agriculture. The enzyme, HCN synthase,involved in the synthesis of HCN, is encoded by the hcnABC gene cluster. The biosynthetic regulation of HCN, antibiotics and fluorescent insecticidal toxins through the conserved global regulatory GacS/GacA system is elaborated in this review, including approaches that may optimize cyanogenesis for enhanced pest control. In addition, the effects of bacterially synthesized HCN on the production of indole acetic acid, antibiotics and fluorescent insecticidal toxins, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase utilization and phosphate solubilization may result in the stimulation of plant growth. A more detailed understanding of HCN biosynthesis and regulation may help to elaborate the precise role of this compound in biotic interactions and sustainable agriculture.     

白腐菌Pleurotus pulmonarius F043降解和转化荧蒽的潜力研究

Fluoranthene, a four-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon that is possible genotoxic in nature, has been used as an indicator for assessing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon(PAH)-containing pollutants. Microbial degradation is one of the promising methods in removing up PAH-contaminated environments. White-rot fungi have showed the ability to degrade a wide range of PAHs. This study aimed to investigate enzyme production, fungal biomass, and glucose utilization during the biodegradation process of fluoranthene by a white-rot fungus Pleurotus pulmonarius F043 and to identify the metabolites produced in the degradation process. The extracellular ligninolytic enzyme system of the fungi, producing laccases and peroxidases, was directly linked to the biodegradation of fluoranthene.The production of ligninolytic enzymes during fluoranthene degradation was related to an increase in the biomass of Pleurotus pulmonarius F043. Fluoranthene removal decreased with an increase in fluoranthene concentrations. The highest biomass production of Pleurotus pulmonarius F043(≥ 4 400 mg L~(-1)) was found in the 10 mg L~(-1) fluoranthene culture after 30 d of incubation. Two fluoranthene metabolites, naphthalene-1,8-dicarboxylic acid and phthalic acid, were found in the process of fluoranthene degradation.Laccase was revealed as the major enzyme that played an important role in degradation process. Suitable conditions must be found to promote a successful fungal biotransformation augmentation in liquid culture.     

澳大利亚东部地区一些酸性硫酸盐土壤磷的特征

Forty-five acid sulfate topsoil samples (depth < 0.5 m) from 15 soil cores were collected from 11 locations along the New South Wales coast, Australia. There was an overall trend for the concentration of the HC1-extractable P to increase along with increasing amounts of organic C and the HCl-extractable trivalent metals in the topsoils of some less-disturbed acid sulfate soils (pH < 4.5). This suggests that inorganic P in these soils probably accumulated via biological cycling and was retained by complexation with trivalent metals or their oxides and hydroxides. While there was no clear correlation between pH and the water-extractable P, the concentration of the water-extractable P tended to increase with increasing amounts of the HCl-extractable P. This disagrees with some established models which suggest that the concentration of solution P in acid soils is independent of total P and decreases with increasing acidity. The high concentration of sulfate present in acid sulfate soils appeared to affect the chemical behavior of Pin these soil systems. Comparison was made between a less disturbed wetland acid sulfate soil and a more intensively disturbed sugarcane acid sulfate soil. The results show that reclamation of wetland acid sulfate soils for sugarcane production caused a significant decrease in the HCl-extractable P in the topsoil layer as a result of the reduced bio-cycling of phosphorus following sugarcane farming. Simulation experiment shows that addition of hydrated lime had no effects on the immobilization of retained P in an acid sulfate soil sample within a pH range 3.54.6. When the pH was raised to above 4.6, soluble P in the soil extracts had a tendency to increase with increasing pH until the 15th extraction (pH 5.13). This, in combination with the poor pH-soluble P relationship observed from the less-disturbed acid sulfate soils, suggests that soluble P was not clearly pH-dependent in acid sulfate soils with pH < 4.5.     

Dynamics of methanogenesis and methanotrophy in tropical paddy soils as influenced by elevated CO2 and temperature interaction

Response of methanogenesis and methanotrophy to elevated carbon dioxide (CO₂) could be affected by changes in soil moisture content and temperature. In soil microcosms contained in glass bottles and incubated under laboratory conditions, we assessed the impact of elevated CO₂ and temperature interactions on methanogenesis and methanotrophy in alluvial and laterite paddy soils of tropical origin. Soil samples were incubated at ambient (370 μmol mol⁻¹) and elevated (600 μmol mol⁻¹) CO₂ concentrations at 25, 35 and 45 °C under non-flooded and flooded conditions for 60 d. Under flooded condition, elevated CO₂ significantly increased methane (CH₄) production while under non-flooded condition, only marginal increase in CH₄ production was observed in both the soils studied and the increase was significantly enhanced by further rise in temperature. Increased methanogenesis as a result of elevated CO₂ and temperature interaction was mostly attributed to decreased soil redox potential, increased readily mineralizable carbon, and also noticeable stimulation of methanogenic bacterial population. In contrast to CH₄ production, CH₄ oxidation was consistently low under elevated CO₂ concentration and the decrease was significant with rise in temperature. The low affinity and high affinity CH₄ oxidation were faster under non-flooded condition as compared to flooded condition. Admittedly, decreased low and high affinity CH₄ oxidation as a result of elevated CO₂ and temperature interaction was related to unfavorable lower redox status of soil and the inhibition of CH₄-oxidizing bacterial population.     

Water availability and abundance of microbial groups are key determinants of greenhouse gas fluxes in a dryland forest ecosystem

Forests are considered key biomes that could contribute to minimising global warming as they sequester carbon (C) and contribute to mitigate emissions of the potent greenhouse gases (GHG) including nitrous oxide (N₂O), methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). Management practices are prevalent in forestry, particularly in dryland ecosystems, known to be water and nitrogen (N) limited. Irrigation and fertilisation are thus routinely applied to increase the yield of forest products. However, the contribution of forest management practices to current GHG budgets and consequently to soil net global warming potential (GWP) is still largely unaccounted for, particularly in dryland ecosystems. We quantified the long-term effect (six years) of irrigation and fertilisation and the impact of land-use change, from grassland to a Eucalyptus plantation on N₂O, CH₄ and CO₂ emissions and soil net GWP, within a dryland ecosystem. To identify biotic and abiotic drivers of GHG emissions, we explored the relationship of N₂O, CH₄ and CO₂ fluxes with soil abiotic characteristics and abundance of ammonia-oxidizers, N₂O-reducing bacteria, methanotrophs and total soil bacteria. Our results show that GHG emissions, particularly N₂O and CO₂ are constrained by water availability and both N₂O and CH₄ are constrained by N availability in the soil. We also provide evidence of functional microbial groups being key players in driving GHG emissions. Our findings illustrate that GHG emission budgets can be affected by forest management practices and provide a better mechanistic understanding for future mitigation options.     

稻田种养结合循环农业温室气体排放的调控与机制

水稻在我国粮食作物种植中占据主导地位,在保障粮食安全、关系国计民生方面有着重要的作用。稻田是温室气体甲烷(CH_4)和氧化亚氮(N_2O)的重要排放源。因此,控制稻田温室气体排放对缓解全球温室效应具有重要作用。近年来,稻田种养结合循环农业在我国发展迅速,具有稳产增效、绿色发展的重要功效,同时显著影响了稻田温室气体排放特征以及全球增温潜势(global warming potential,GWP)。稻鸭共作、稻田养小龙虾、稻鱼共作、稻田养蟹、稻田养鳖等稻田种养结合循环农业模式,由于稻田养殖生物在稻田生态系统中添加生态位、延长食物链的增环作用,通过其持续运动、觅食活动等,不同程度地影响稻田温室气体的排放量和GWP,总体呈现出减缓温室效应的趋势。本文概述了稻田种养结合循环农业的CH_4和N_2O的排放特征及水分管理和施肥措施的影响效应,探讨了稻田种养结合循环农业的减排途径,并分析了稻田种养结合循环农业温室气体减排的研究前景,以期为我国稻田种养结合循环农业的健康发展和稻田生态系统减排增效提供参考。     

Oxidation of methane in the rhizosphere of rice plants

Oxidation of CH₄ in the rhizosphere of rice plants was quantified using (1) methyl fluoride, a specific inhibitor of CH₄ oxidation, and (2) measuring changes in plant-mediated CH₄ emission after incubation under air, N₂, or 40% O₂. No significant rhizospheric CH₄ oxidation was observed from rice plants in the ripening stage. CH₄ emission from rice plants 1 week before panicle initiation increased by 40% if CH₄ oxidation in the rhizosphere was blocked. The growth stage of the rice plant is an important factor determining the rhizospheric CH₄ oxidation. Fluctuation of rhizospheric CH₄ oxidation during the growing season may help to explain the observed seasonal CH₄ emission patterns in field studies. Measurements from four rice varieties showed that one variety, Pokkali, had higher rhizospheric CH₄ oxidation. This was probably because Pokkali was in an earlier growth stage than the other three varieties. Both in the early and in the late growth stages, incubation under N₂ caused a much stronger CH₄ flux than inhibition of CH₄ oxidation alone. Apparently, N₂ incubation not only blocked CH₄ oxidation but also stimulated methanogenesis in the rhizosphere. Incubation under a higher O₂ atmosphere (40% O₂) than ambient air decreased the CH₄ flux, suggesting that increasing the oxidation of the rice rhizosphere may help in reducing CH₄ fluxes from rice agriculture. The O₂ pressure in the rhizosphere is an important factor that reduces the plant-mediated CH₄ flux. However, inhibition of methanogenesis in the rhizosphere may contribute more to CH₄ flux reduction than rhizospheric CH₄ oxidation.     

太湖地区不同水旱轮作方式下稻季甲烷和氧化亚氮排放研究

为准确编制我国稻田温室气体排放清单及制定合理减排措施提供基础数据,选择太湖地区典型水稻种植区江苏省苏州市,研究设计了休闲水稻(对照,CK)、紫云英水稻(T1)、黑麦草水稻(T2)、小麦水稻(T3)和油菜水稻(T4)5种水旱轮作方式,采用静态箱气相色谱法,开展了不同水旱轮作方式下水稻生长季田间甲烷(CH4)和氧化亚氮(N2O)排放监测试验。试验结果表明:不同水旱轮作方式下水稻生长季CH4排放通量呈先升高后降低的变化趋势,CH4排放峰值出现在水稻生育前期,移栽至有效分蘖临界叶龄期CH4累积排放量占全生育期排放总量的比例为65%~81%,而N2O仅在水稻烤田期间有明显排放。水旱轮作方式对稻季CH4和N2O排放有极显著(P 0.01)影响,CH4季节总排放量表现为T1(283.2 kg.hm 2)CK(139.5 kg.hm 2)T3(123.4kg.hm 2)T4(114.7 kg.hm 2)T2(100.8 kg.hm 2),N2O季节总排放量顺序为T1 T4 T3 T2 CK,依次为1.06kg.hm 2、0.87 kg.hm 2、0.81 kg.hm 2、0.72 kg.hm 2和0.53 kg.hm 2。T1处理稻季排放CH4和N2O产生的增温潜势最高[7 396 kg(CO2).hm 2],显著(P 0.05)高于其他处理,比CK[3 646 kg(CO2).hm 2]增加103%,T2[2 735kg(CO2).hm 2]较CK减少25%(P 0.05)。紫云英水稻轮作方式增加了太湖地区水稻生长季的温室效应。     

稻鸭共作对不同栽培环境稻季CH4和N2O排放的影响

稻田是大气温室气体甲烷(CH₄)和氧化亚氮(N₂O)的重要排放源, 稻田温室气体减排一直是生态农业研究的热点。目前, 采用水稻品种选择利用、水分控制管理、肥料运筹管理、耕作制度调整以及种养结合模式等方法来减少稻田温室气体排放有较好实践效应, 但不同稻田栽培环境(露地、网室)基础上的稻鸭共作对麦秸全量还田的稻田温室气体排放特征及相关土壤理化特性关联性的影响尚为少见。本研究采用裂区设计, 在两种栽培环境条件下, 以无鸭子放养的常规稻作和麦秸不还田为对照, 在等养分条件下分析麦秸全量还田与稻鸭共作模式对稻田土壤氧化还原电位、CH₄排放量、产CH₄潜力及CH₄氧化能力、N₂O排放量及N₂O排放高峰期土壤反硝化酶活性、全球增温潜势、水稻产量的影响, 为稻田可持续生产和温室气体减排提供参考。结果表明, 麦秆还田增加了稻田产CH₄潜力、提高了CH₄排放量, 降低了稻田土壤反硝化酶活性、土壤氧化还原电位和N₂O排放量, 整体上导致全球增温潜势上升96.89%~123.02%; 稻鸭共作模式, 由于鸭子的不间断活动提高了稻田土壤氧化还原电位, 降低了稻田产CH₄潜力, 增强了稻田CH₄氧化能力, 从而降低稻田CH₄排放量, N₂O排放量虽有提高, 整体上稻鸭共作模式的全球增温潜势较无鸭常规稻田下降8.72%~14.18%; 网室栽培模式显著提高了稻田土壤氧化还原电位, 降低稻田产CH₄潜力、CH₄氧化能力和土壤反硝化酶活性, 减少了稻田CH₄和N₂O排放量, 全球增温潜势降低6.35%~13.14%。本试验条件下, 稻田土壤的CH₄氧化能力是产CH₄潜力的2.21~3.81倍; 相同环境条件下, 稻鸭共作和麦秸还田均能增加水稻实际产量, 网室栽培的所有处理较相应的露地栽培减少了水稻实际产量1.19%~5.48%。本试验表明, 稻鸭共作和网室栽培可减缓全球增温潜势, 稻鸭共作和麦秸还田能够增加水稻实际产量。     

Moderating the impact of agriculture on climate

Many options are available for reducing the impact of agriculture on climate; however, it is difficult to provide a comprehensive set of solutions because several aspects are still poorly understood. An overall assessment of the various impacts of agriculture on climate is presented. It focuses on the trade-offs among the relevant greenhouse gases (GHG), CO_2, N₂O and CH₄, and the geochemical and biophysical interactions between agriculture and climate.Three spatial scales are examined: field, farm, and regional scale. At the field level, both GHG and energy fluxes are related to technical decisions by the farmer. At the farm level, strategic decisions on the choice of production systems are governed by economical constraints. Land use and landscape govern the biophysical factors that act on the regional climate when spatially integrated. At the regional level, national and regional policies on GHG emissions and surface forcing influence global climate. The biochemical and geophysical contribution of agriculture to climate need to be considered using new approaches in terms of global warming. The use of GCMs appears to be an adequate tool at this scale for assessing the global effect on climate, upon which smaller-scale effects will be superimposed.     

Methane uptake by unflooded paddy soils

Abstract

Methane (CH₄) is one of the most abundant organic gases in the atmosphere. Recently the importance of CH₄ as a greenhouse gas has been recognized and studies have been carried out to assess its contribution to global warming. Although the rate of increase has slowed down in the last decade (Steel et al. 1992; Rudolph 1994), the results from some of these studies have shown that the atmospheric concentration of CH₄ is increasing at a rate estimated to be approximately 1% per year (Rowland 1991; Blake and Rowland 1988; Bolle et al. 1986; Graedel and McRae 1980). Clearly it is important to identify sources and sinks of CH₄, in both terrestrial and oceanic ecosystems, in order to estimate global methane budgets (Cicerone and Oremland 1988).     

Global climate change and its impacts on the terrestrial Arctic carbon cycle with special regards to ecosystem components and the greenhouse‐gas balance

The climatic changes on earth may have serious implications for the carbon (C) cycle in the terrestrial Arctic throughout the 21st century. Arctic vegetation takes up carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere producing biomass. In a cold and often moist soil environment, dead organic matter is preferentially preserved as soil organic matter (SOM) due to the inhibition of decomposition processes. However, viable soil microbes exhale huge amounts of CO₂ and methane (CH₄) annually. Hence, Arctic ecosystems exhibit annual fluxes of both carbon‐based (CO₂ and CH₄) greenhouse gases (GHGs) that are in an order of magnitude of millions of tons. Rising Arctic temperatures lead to the degradation of much of today's permafrost in the long run. As a result, large quantities of frozen SOM may become available for decomposers, and GHGs that are entrapped in permafrost may be released. At the same time, warming tends to stimulate the growth, development, and reproduction of many Arctic plants, at least transiently. The present northward migration of boreal shrubs and trees into southern tundra areas may be amplified by that, increasing the ecosystems' gross primary production and, thus, their C sequestration. On the other hand, rising temperatures boost SOM decomposition and microbial respiration rates. In general, soil temperature and soil moisture are key environmental variables to control the intensity of aerobic and anaerobic respiration by microbes, and autotrophic respiration by plants. On the basis of published data on Arctic CO₂ and CH₄ fluxes, the calculations on the terrestrial C‐based Arctic GHG balance made in this review reveal a current annual GHG exchange that ranges between a weak storage of ≤ 225 Tg CO₂ equivalent (eq.) y^–1 and a huge release of ≤ 1990 Tg CO₂ eq. y^–1. Hence, the Arctic GHG balance does apparently already contribute positively to the climatic changes at present. Regarding the future, the relative development of the uptake and release of CO₂ and CH₄ by northern ecosystems is fundamental to the overall GHG status of the Arctic under scenarios of continued climate change.     

Increased moisture and methanogenesis contribute to reduced methane oxidation in elevated CO2 soils

Awareness of global warming has stimulated research on environmental controls of soil methane (CH₄) consumption and the effects of increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) on the terrestrial CH₄ sink. In this study, factors impacting soil CH₄ consumption were investigated using laboratory incubations of soils collected at the Free Air Carbon Transfer and Storage I site in the Duke Forest, NC, where plots have been exposed to ambient (370 μL L⁻¹) or elevated (ambient + 200 μL L⁻¹) CO₂ since August 1996. Over 1 year, nearly 90% of the 360 incubations showed net CH₄ consumption, confirming that CH₄-oxidizing (methanotrophic) bacteria were active. Soil moisture was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in the 25–30 cm layer of elevated CO₂ soils over the length of the study, but soil moisture was equal between CO₂ treatments in shallower soils. The increased soil moisture corresponded to decreased net CH₄ oxidation, as elevated CO₂ soils also oxidized 70% less CH₄ at the 25–30 cm depth compared to ambient CO₂ soils, while CH₄ consumption was equal between treatments in shallower soils. Soil moisture content predicted (p < 0.05) CH₄ consumption in upper layers of ambient CO₂ soils, but this relationship was not significant in elevated CO₂ soils at any depth, suggesting that environmental factors in addition to moisture were influencing net CH₄ oxidation under elevated CO₂. More than 6% of the activity assays showed net CH₄ production, and of these, 80% contained soils from elevated CO₂ plots. In addition, more than 50% of the CH₄-producing flasks from elevated CO₂ sites contained deeper (25–30 cm) soils. These results indicate that subsurface (25 cm+) CH₄ production contributes to decreased net CH₄ consumption under elevated CO₂ in otherwise aerobic soils.