土壤氮气排放研究进展

自20世纪初人类发明并掌握工业合成氨的技术以来,氮肥施用量迅速增长。在一部分国家或地区,氮肥的施入量已经超过作物对氮素的需求,导致大量氮素损失到环境中,造成氨挥发、氧化亚氮排放、地下水硝酸盐污染等环境问题。土壤在微生物的作用下可以通过反硝化、厌氧氨氧化等过程将活性氮素转化为惰性氮气,达到清除过多活性氮的目的。由于大气中氮气背景浓度太高,因此很难直接准确测定土壤的氮气排放速率,导致土壤氮气排放通量、过程与调控机制研究远远落后于土壤氮循环的其他方面。本文综述了土壤氮气排放主要途径(反硝化、厌氧氨氧化与共反硝化)及其对土壤氮气排放的贡献;测定土壤氮气排放速率的方法(乙炔抑制法、氮同位素示踪法、N2/Ar比率-膜进样质谱法、氦环境法与N2O同位素自然丰度法)及其优缺点;调控土壤氮气排放通量的主要因素(氧气、可溶性有机碳、硝酸盐、微生物群落结构与功能基因表达等)及其相关作用机制。最后指出研发新的测定原位无扰动土壤氮气通量的方法是推进本领域相关研究的关键;定量典型生态系统(如旱地农田、稻田、森林、草地与湿地)土壤氮气排放通量,阐明其中的微生物学机制,模拟并预测土壤氮气排放对全球变化的响应规律是本领域的研究热点与发展方向。     

Effects of vegetation pattern and of biochar and powdery soil amendments on soil loss by wind in a semi-arid region

Dust emission from wind erosion is a widespread phenomenon in arid and semi-arid areas having considerable implications for ecosystems and human well-being. However, few studies have examined the efficiency of biochar amended to soil on wind erosion control. Aimed at studying the effect of biochar on resistance of soils against wind erosion, a wind tunnel experiment was conducted. We tested (a) soils amended with hard waste walnut wood biochar and soft maize cob biochar, and (b) soils amended with powdery waste wood and powdery maize cob, and compared them with (c) non-treated soil, in their susceptibility to wind erosion and also the additional effect of various patterns of vegetation cover. Amending soil with biochar and powdery material did significantly increase their resilience to wind erosion because of increased soil aggregation. In comparison with the non-treated control, the mass flux of un-vegetated soil reduced from 4.42 to 1.86 g m⁻² s⁻¹ for the waste walnut wood biochar, from 4.28 to 1.50 g m⁻² s⁻¹ for maize cob biochar, from 4.11 to 1.44 g m⁻² s⁻¹ for powdery maize cob and from 3.97 to 1.14 g m⁻² s⁻¹ for powdery waste walnut wood. When combining amendments with vegetation, there was still a substantial improvement, though the soil treatments responded differently in terms of soil loss to different vegetation patterns. A single row vegetation pattern had the highest mass flux, while a zigzag vegetation pattern had the lowest. In conclusion, waste wood or maize cobs, whether applied as biochar or as powdery material, are able to fix soil and reduce wind erosion.     

不同农业废弃物还田对土壤碳排放及碳固定的影响

在玉米生长季,采用静态箱法,在氮磷钾等养分量(N 240kg/hm~2,P2O5100kg/hm~2,K2O 120kg/hm~2)的条件下,研究秸秆、牛粪、鸡粪与化肥配施还田,对土壤CO_2排放及碳固定的影响。研究结果表明:施肥促进土壤CO_2排放,其中100%秸秆粉碎还田配施化肥(S1)对土壤CO_2排放的促进作用最为明显,平均排放通量达389.0mg/(m~2·h);其次为单施化肥(S4)。S1、S2、S3和S4处理在6,7,8三个月份CO_2平均排放通量表现为S4S1S3S2,分别占整个生长季排放总量的80.1%,78.9%,78.8%和83.7%,表明单施化肥处理(S4)在玉米生长旺季CO_2排放通量最高达624.9mg/(m~2·h)。各施肥处理在玉米生长季出现2个CO_2排放高峰阶段,与2次氮肥(尿素)追施密切相关,2次追施氮肥后CO_2排放通量平均值均表现为S4S1S3S2,表明用农业废弃物中的氮部分代替化肥氮,可减少CO_2排放量。50%牛粪有机氮还田配施50%化肥氮(S2),能明显提高土壤有机碳含量。50%鸡粪有机氮还田配施50%化肥氮(S3)可明显提高玉米各器官及植株含碳量,其中S3处理植株含碳量最高为9.59t/hm~2,促进玉米碳固定;而100%秸秆粉碎还田配施化肥氮(S1),并不能提高玉米各器官及植株含碳量,甚至低于单施化肥(S4)。     

污泥及其混合堆肥对番茄土壤性质和N_2O排放的影响

目前关于污泥及其生物质堆肥的土地利用过程中土壤性质变化和温室气体排放数据十分缺乏,难以满足农田土壤氮素保存和温室气体减排的需求。该研究通过在番茄种植过程中添加800 kg/hm2新鲜污泥(S-H)、400 kg/hm2新鲜污泥(S-L)、800 kg/hm2秸秆堆肥(VM-S)和800 kg/hm2猪粪堆肥(VM-M),开展土壤性质、无机氮形态、作物生长以及N2O排放特征的研究。结果表明:堆肥处理显著增加了土壤电导率(electric conductivity,EC)(P0.05),其中猪粪堆肥时土壤EC值最大。添加污泥和堆肥都使土壤p H值显著上升(P0.05),最终趋于中性,且VM-M对土壤酸化的抑制效果略优于VM-S。污泥和堆肥处理时土壤NO3--N浓度显著高于对照,且各处理组NO3--N浓度均随时间逐渐下降,NO3--N主要被番茄吸收,部分NO3--N从土壤上层淋溶至下层;NH4+大多数被氧化为NO3-,部分NH4+被植物吸收。在施入的无机氮量相等情况下,VM-M、VM-S、S-H处理组中番茄地上部分生物量分别为1 515、1 383、1 103 g/株,株高分别为56.8、54.5、51.3 cm,对番茄生长的促进效果为VM-MVM-SS-H,而S-H比S-L多施入的氮肥对番茄生长并未起到明显促进作用(P0.05)。与对照相比,污泥或生物质堆肥都显著提高了土壤N2O的排放(P0.05),各处理组N2O的排放均集中于施肥后的前20天,且土壤N2O的排放通量大小顺序为S-L(0.76 kg/(hm2·a))VM-M(0.95 kg/(hm2·a))VM-S(1.19 kg/(hm2·a))S-H(1.71 kg/(hm2·a))。因此,在进行污泥及其生物质堆肥的土地利用时,应考虑有机肥的种类及其施用量,以在提高作物产量的同时改善土壤并减少温室气体排放,在进行污泥的农田利用时可先将污泥与畜禽粪堆肥。     

农业微环境对土壤温室气体排放的影响

二氧化碳(CO     

Tropical land use change and soil emissions of nitrogen oxides

Abstract. Increases in the emissions of globally important nitrogen (N) oxide gases have coincided with significant changes in land use in the tropics. Clearing of tropical forests and savannas for agriculture currently represents the most extensive alteration of land cover on the planet. Over the last several decades, N fertilizer use has increased globally, and in China and the developing world, use has recently surpassed that in the developed world. The potential contribution of land-use change in the tropics to the increase in N oxides is great, yet only a few studies have measured N oxide emissions after tropical land conversion. Our summary of available research shows some conversions to pastures and a few management practices, especially those using N fertilizers, increase emissions beyond those found in undisturbed ecosystems. However, not all studies show unequivocal increases in emissions. Accordingly, we call for a mechanistic understanding of the processes controlling trace gas fluxes to adequately predict under what conditions increased emissions may occur. More measurements are needed to build and test models that may improve management of N fertilizer use in tropical agricultural systems. Given the expected expansion of agriculture and increased use of N fertilizers in the tropics, increased emissions of N oxides from the tropics are likely.     

灌溉方式和秸秆还田对设施番茄田CO2排放的影响

中国北方下沉式设施菜田表层土壤缺失,以及高温高湿的环境条件,导致耕层土壤有机质含量低、矿化快。如何减缓土壤有机质矿化,是该文所关注的焦点问题。该研究采用二因素试验设计,主因素为灌溉方式(传统畦灌施肥、滴灌施肥),副因素为秸秆(含C量为0、3 500 kg/hm2)。测定了48 h内每3 h的CO2排放通量,以及全生育期CO2日排放通量、土壤温度。结果表明:1)08:00-09:00测定的土壤CO2排放通量与CO2日均排放通量不存在显著差异,二者呈极显著线性正相关关系,其决定系数为0.987;而其他时段测定值与日均值均存在显著差异。2)与传统畦灌相比,无论是否添加秸秆,滴灌处理均显著降低了CO2累积排放量。3)CO2排放高峰出现在定植后8~15 d,随后逐渐降低并趋于平稳;定植后40 d内能检测到处理间CO2日排放通量的差异,此后处理间差异不显著。4)CO2累积排放通量和土壤积温呈显著正相关关系。综上所述,滴灌施肥栽培体系可显著降低土壤CO2排放量,有利于设施菜田土壤有机质的积累。     

长期定位试验对水稻田土壤甲烷氧化活性和甲烷排放通量的影响

通过对长期定位施肥的黄松稻田土的甲烷氧化活性和甲烷排放通量的研究表明,长期定位施肥对稻田土壤的好氧甲烷氧化活性和甲烷排放通量有显著性的影响(|t|t0.05,P0.05),而对稻田土壤的厌氧甲烷氧化活性有影响但未达显著性水平(|t|t0.05,P0.05)。施加有机肥能显著增加稻田土壤的甲烷氧化活性和甲烷排放通量;当有机肥和无机肥混合施用时,其促进作用明显大于单施有机肥或无机肥。施加尿素后,稻田土壤的甲烷氧化活性及甲烷排放量都有所下降,但钾肥和磷肥能缓解由尿素引起的抑制作用。施肥后耕作的稻田甲烷氧化活性和甲烷排放通量高于施肥后不耕作的稻田;耕作而不施肥的稻田甲烷氧化活性和甲烷排放通量要低于不施肥也不耕作的稻田。     

加气灌溉水氮互作对温室芹菜地N2O排放的影响

为揭示加气条件下不同灌溉和施氮量对设施菜地N2O排放的影响,提出有效的N2O减排措施,该研究以温室芹菜为例,设置充分灌溉(1.0 Ep,I1;Ep为2次灌水间隔内φ20 cm标准蒸发皿的累计蒸发量)和亏缺灌溉(0.75 Ep,I2)2个灌溉水平和0 (N0)、150 (N150)、200 (N200)、250 kg/hm2 (N250)4个施氮水平,采用静态箱-气相色谱法对各处理土壤N2O的排放进行监测,并分析不同灌溉和氮肥水平下土壤温度、湿度、矿质氮(NH4+-N和NO3--N)、硝化细菌和反硝化细菌的变化,以及对土壤N2O排放的影响.结果表明:充分灌水温室芹菜地N2O排放显著(P＜0.05)高于亏缺灌溉;施氮显著(P＜0.05)增加了土壤N2O排放,N150、N200和N250处理的N2O累积排放量分别是N0处理的2.30、4.14和7.15倍.设施芹菜地N2O排放与土壤温度、湿度和硝态氮含量呈指数相关关系(P＜0.01),与硝化细菌和反硝化细菌数量呈线性相关关系(P＜0.01),而与土壤铵态氮没有显著相关关系.灌水和施氮提高芹菜产量的同时,显著增强了土壤N2O排放.综合考虑产量和温室效应,施氮量150 kg/hm2、亏缺灌溉为较佳的管理模式.该研究为设施菜地N2O减排及确定合理的水氮投入量提供参考.     

塔克拉玛干沙漠土壤粒度分布特征及其对粉尘释放的影响

塔克拉玛干沙漠是中国西北的重要粉尘源区,研究区域粒度分布特征及粉尘释放量有助于评估区域大气环境质量及其气候效应。基于此,按照空间分布特征及下垫面类型(农田、沙丘、荒漠)环塔克拉玛干沙漠采集地表土壤样品138个,利用Mastersizer2000激光粒度仪分析土壤粒度组成,利用DPM模型计算粉尘释放通量,以期揭示塔克拉玛干沙漠地表土壤微团粒粒度分布特征及其对粉尘释放通量的影响,研究结果表明:1)138个样品中流动沙丘和沙垄的粉砂和黏粒含量累计之和最少,约占10%～18%左右,属于砂质土和砂壤质土。农田(绿洲、林带区)样品多为草甸土,粉砂和黏粒累计含量约占50%～80%,戈壁(荒漠区)样品中粉砂和黏粒的含量差异较大,砂质土和砂壤土的粉砂和黏粒的含量累计之和约占20%～30%。2)地表土壤微团粒中粒径较小的是细砂和粉细砂,可用3个对数正态分布群体表示,即:粉细砂群体、细砂群体、粗砂群体,中值粒径依次为90、225、500μm,标准偏差分别为1.02、1.53、1.08,各占比例约为30%、49%、21%。3)塔克拉玛干沙漠粉细砂和细砂的粉尘释放量最大,中砂粗砂次之,极粗砂最少,其最大差值的数量级为10~(-2)μg/(m~2·s)。研究结果可以较好地反映不同下垫面粉尘释放差异,对定量评估区域乃至全疆的粉尘释放量等具有重要意义。     

Temperature sensitivity of soil organic matter decomposition varies with biochar application and soil type

Biochar application has the potential to improve soil fertility and increase soil carbon stock, especially in tropical regions. Information on the temperature sensitivity of carbon dioxide(CO_2) evolution from biochar-amended soils at very high temperatures, as observed for tropical surface soils, is limited but urgently needed for the development of region-specific biochar management targeted to optimize biochar effects on soil functions. Here, we investigated the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration to the addition of different rates of Miscanthus biochar(0, 6.25, 12.5, and 25 Mg ha~(-1)) in two types of soils with contrasting textures. Biochar-amended soil treatments and their controls were incubated at constant temperatures of 20, 30, and 40℃. Overall, our results show that: i) considering data from all treatments and temperatures, the addition of biochar decreased soil CO_2 emissions when compared to untreated soils;ii) CO_2 emissions from biochar-amended soils had a higher temperature sensitivity than those from biochar-free soils; iii) the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration in sandy soils was higher than that in clay soils; and iv) for clay soils, relative increases in soil CO_2 emissions from biochar-amended soils were higher when the temperature increased from 30 to 40℃, while for sandy soils, the highest temperature responses of soil respiration were observed when increasing the temperature from 20 to 30℃. Together, these findings suggest a significantly reduced potential to increase soil organic carbon stocks when Miscanthus biochar is applied to tropical soils at high surface temperatures, which could be counteracted by the soil-and weather-specific timing of biochar application.     

黄土区退耕草地合理放牧可减少土壤CO2排放和土壤侵蚀

【目的】在退耕草地实施合理放牧,有助于减少土壤CO2排放、 减缓土壤侵蚀。为验证此假设,本研究选择黄土高原渭北旱原坡地,建立退耕草地放牧、 退耕草地不放牧和传统农业耕作三种处理的对比试验小区,定量研究了退耕草地合理放牧相对于退耕草地在减少土壤CO2排放和土壤侵蚀的作用及其影响因素,为探寻在我国西部退耕还草区实施畜牧业生产与环境保护的协调发展模式提供科学依据。【方法】在建立的退耕草地放牧、 退耕草地不放牧和传统农业耕作3种处理的试验小区,利用LI-8100 碳通量自动测量仪原位监测植物生长期(4~8月)和放牧前后土壤CO2排放速率的变化,同时利用时域反射仪(TDR)测定表层0—10 cm土壤含水量,用地温表测定土壤表层2 cm和5 cm的温度。利用环境放射性核素 7Be示踪技术监测较大降雨事件引起的土壤侵蚀速率,同时取样测定侵蚀区土壤有机碳含量,比较不同处理小区侵蚀导致的土壤有机碳流失量。【结果】观测期间,3种处理CO2平均排放速率大小顺序为退耕草地[3.69±0.39 μmol/(m2·s)]退耕草地放牧[3.00±0.44 μmol/(m2·s)]传统农耕地[1.99±0.22 μmol/(m2·s)],坡耕地退耕还草后土壤CO2排放增加了85%,而合理放牧使退耕草地土壤CO2排放量减少了19%。放牧后退耕草地土壤CO2排放速率平均减少了11%,减少值在2% ~ 41%之间。观测期内,退耕草地放牧后土壤侵蚀速率比农耕地和退耕草地分别减少了93% 和77%。坡耕地退耕还草后土壤CO2排放增加主要由于草被植物引起土壤有机碳储量增加和土壤侵蚀强度减小,放牧后退耕草地土壤CO2排放减少主要与动物踩踏引起土壤容重明显增加及草类植被地上部分向土壤中输入的有机碳的减少有关。水分、 温度影响因子无法解释3种处理间土壤CO2排放差异。【结论】合理放牧不仅能显著减少退耕草地土壤CO2排放,而且可以有效控制退耕草地土壤和有机碳侵蚀流失。放牧期间动物的踩踏作用引起草地土壤容重显著增加是退耕草地土壤CO2排放量和土壤侵蚀速率减少的主要原因。本研究结果揭示,在我国黄土高原和类似的退耕还草地区实施合理放牧既可以促进当地畜牧业生产,又能控制土壤侵蚀和减少CO2的排放,是一种值得探究的草地可持续发展管理模式。     

水肥气耦合滴灌番茄地土壤N2O排放特征及影响因素分析

为了解水肥气耦合滴灌下不同水肥气调控措施对土壤N_2O排放的影响,该研究设置施氮量(低氮和常氮)、掺气量(不掺气和循环曝气处理)和灌水量(低湿度和高湿度处理)3因素2水平完全随机试验,通过静态箱-气相色谱法、q PCR技术和结构方程模型,系统研究了不同水肥气组合方案下温室番茄地土壤N_2O排放特征及其与相关影响因素之间的关系。结果表明,水肥气耦合滴灌下N_2O排放峰值出现在施氮后2 d内,其余时期N_2O排放通量较低且变幅较小。施氮量、掺气量和灌水量的增加可增加土壤N_2O排放通量和排放总量。其中,高湿度条件下N_2O排放总量较低湿度平均增加了30.14%,曝气条件下N_2O排放总量较对照平均增加了35.16%,常氮条件下N_2O排放总量较低氮平均增加了33.83%。施氮量、掺气量和灌水量的增加可提高温室番茄的产量和氮肥偏生产力。土壤NH4+-N和NO3--N含量对N_2O排放的总效应为0.60和0.79,是影响水肥气耦合滴灌下土壤N_2O排放的主导因子。综合考虑作物产量、N_2O排放总量和氮肥偏生产力,常氮曝气低湿度处理是适宜的水肥气耦合滴灌方案。     

比较土壤和土壤－植物系统中由尿素转化的N2O的排放

A pot experiment with a sandy loam soil and spring wheat as test crop was conducted to compared the N2O emissio from soil system with plant cut off and from soil-plant syste with plant kept.The results showed that after urea fertilizer applied,the N2O emission from soil and soil-wheat system decreased exponentially with time,and its total amount was 0.34-0.63% and 0.33%-0.58% of applied urea-N respectively,no significant difference being found between these two systems.The N2O emission urea-N respectively,no significant difference being found between these two systems.The N2O emission had a very significant negative relationship (P=0.01) with the biomass of wheat plant.A combined application of urease inhibitor hydroquinone and nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide could reduce the N2O emission by 50%-83% and 46-74%,respectively,from soil and soil-wheat system.The N2O was mainly produced and emitted from soil,and the soil biochemical regulation.i.e.applying related inhibitors into soil could effectively diminish the urea derived N2O emission.     

西南地区亚高山典型林区土壤碳排放及影响因子

为进一步厘定西南地区亚高山典型林区土壤碳(carbon,C)排放的主控因素,更精确估算土壤C排放,该文以贡嘎山峨眉冷杉林为研究对象,利用Li-6400-09土壤呼吸室,采集了2008—2009年土壤CO2排放速率及相应环境要素数据。结果表明,成熟林与中龄林区土壤储量分别为291.0、63.8 t C/hm2。成熟林与中龄林全年土壤C排放速率整体变化态势基本一致。其中中龄林土壤C排放速率日均最大值、最小值与平均值分别为34.53、6.96、16.26 kg C/(hm2·d)。成熟林土壤C排放速率日均值的最大值、最小值与平均值分别为55.34、9.50、24.57 kg C/(hm2·d)。土壤C排放速率日均值与5 cm土壤温度表现的相关性最高(r成熟=r中龄=0.73,P0.05)且二者存在指数关系(R2成熟=0.60,R2中龄=0.56)。土壤温度是影响该区域土壤C排放变化的主要环境驱动因子。在IPCC不同气候情景下(B1,A1B和A2),成熟林土壤C排放量将比基准情景分别高出15%、25%和31%;中龄林土壤C排放量将比基准情景高13%、21%和27%。该研究可为变化环境下中国西南山区碳平衡估算提供数据基础和参考依据。     

不同秸秆还田模式与氮肥施用量对土壤N2O排放的影响

以山东省桓台县为试验地点,分析在高产条件下,不同秸秆还田模式和氮肥施用量对农田N2O排放的影响.试验结果表明,氮肥施用量与秸秆还田模式都是影响土壤N2O排放的重要因素;小麦秸秆还田可以大大降低土壤N2O的排放,施用有机粪肥是影响N2O排放的另一重要因素.     

Influence of water table level and soil properties on emissions of greenhouse gases from cultivated peat soil

A lysimeter method using undisturbed soil columns was used to investigate the effect of water table depth and soil properties on soil organic matter decomposition and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from cultivated peat soils. The study was carried out using cultivated organic soils from two locations in Sweden: Örke, a typical cultivated fen peat with low pH and high organic matter content and Majnegården, a more uncommon fen peat type with high pH and low organic matter content. Even though carbon and nitrogen contents differ greatly between the sites, carbon and nitrogen density are quite similar. A drilling method with minimal soil disturbance was used to collect 12 undisturbed soil monoliths (50 cm high, Ø29.5 cm) per site. They were sown with ryegrass (Lolium perenne) after the original vegetation was removed. The lysimeter design allowed the introduction of water at depth so as to maintain a constant water table at either 40 cm or 80 cm below the soil surface. CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O emissions from the lysimeters were measured weekly and complemented with incubation experiments with small undisturbed soil cores subjected to different tensions (5, 40, 80 and 600 cm water column). CO₂ emissions were greater from the treatment with the high water table level (40 cm) compared with the low level (80 cm). N₂O emissions peaked in springtime and CH₄ emissions were very low or negative. Estimated GHG emissions during one year were between 2.70 and 3.55 kg CO₂ equivalents m⁻². The results from the incubation experiment were in agreement with emissions results from the lysimeter experiments. We attribute the observed differences in GHG emissions between the soils to the contrasting dry matter liability and soil physical properties. The properties of the different soil layers will determine the effect of water table regulation. Lowering the water table without exposing new layers with easily decomposable material would have a limited effect on emission rates.     

Using time domain reflectometry to characterize cattle and pig slurry infiltration into soil

Abstract. The rate and extent to which cattle or pig slurry infiltrates into soil after application is one of the important factors determining the rate and extent of subsequent ammonia (NH₃) volatilization. Better characterization of the infiltration process is required to improve predictive models of NH₃ losses after land spreading. This paper describes a laboratory system using time domain reflectometry to measure slurry infiltration into soil columns. This system enabled semi-continuous, non-destructive infiltration measurements to be made, assessing the influence of slurry type, dry matter (DM) content, soil type and soil water tension. Differences were noted in the infiltration behaviour of cattle and pig slurries. For cattle slurry, DM content (range 1.7–7.1%) was the main influencing factor. Infiltration rate rapidly decreased with increasing DM content and there was no influence of soil type or water tension. For pig slurry, all of the slurry infiltrated into a sandy clay loam soil within the first hour, regardless of DM content (range 1.5–4.7%), whereas only 60% infiltrated into a clay loam soil over the same time period (slurry DM content 2.1%).     

Potential contribution of Lumbricus terrestris L. to carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide fluxes from a forest soil

 Potential effects of earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris L.) inoculated into soil on fluxes of CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O were investigated for an untreated and a limed soil under beech in open topsoil columns under field conditions for 120 days. Gas fluxes from L. terrestris, beech litter and mineral soil from soil columns were measured separately in jars at 17  °C. The inoculation with L. terrestris and the application of lime had no effect on cumulative CO₂ emissions from soil. During the first 3–4 weeks earthworms significantly (P<0.05) increased CO₂ emissions by 16% to 28%. In contrast, significantly lower (P<0.05) CO₂ emission rates were measured after 11 weeks. The data suggest that earthworm activity was high during the first weeks due to the creation of burrows and incorporation of beech litter into the mineral soil. Low cumulative CH₄ oxidation rates were found in all soil columns as a result of CH₄ production and oxidation processes. L. terrestris with fresh feces and the beech litter produced CH₄ during the laboratory incubation, whereas the mineral soil oxidised atmospheric CH₄. Inoculation with L. terrestris led to a significant reduction (P<0.02) in the CH₄ oxidation rate of soil, i.e. 53% reduction. Liming had no effect on cumulative CH₄ oxidation rates of soil columns and on CH₄ fluxes during the laboratory incubation. L. terrestris significantly increased (P<0.001) cumulative N₂O emissions of unlimed soil columns by 57%. The separate incubation of L. terrestris with fresh feces resulted in rather high N₂O emissions, but the rate strongly decreased from 54 to 2 μg N kg^–1 (dry weight) h^–1 during the 100 h of incubation. Liming had a marked effect on N₂O formation and significantly (P<0.001) reduced cumulative N₂O emissions by 34%. Although the interaction of liming and L. terrestris was not significant, N₂O emissions of limed soil columns with L. terrestris were 8% lower than those of the control. Received: 2 September 1999