Skip to content

Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research

Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research

Read our Science Bulletin
Conference material

N2O emission dynamics in differently sized aggregates in agricultural soils

Grazed pastures can be introduced as a dominant source of nitrous oxide (N2O), a high potent greenhouse gas. Although past studies have examined N2O emissions in relation to soil physical properties, linking emissions with soil gas diffusivity (Dp/Do) and its dependency on soil physical properties and soil moisture are lacking. This study empirically correlated the N2O emission dynamics in differently-sized aggregated soils using coarse (2–4 mm) and fine (< 0.2 mm) aggregates, and seven different combinations with varying fine aggregate fractions (F = 0, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, and 1.0). Repacked samples of different combinations were saturated with KNO3 (1800 μg mL−1) solution and were systematically drained to nine different matric potentials (−1 kPa to −10 kPa), followed by an air-dry step (−30 kPa). At potential levels, N2O flux and Dp/Do were measured. The highest and lowest peak of N2O were observed as F = 1.0 at Dp/Do = 0.002 and F = 0.7 with the lowest Dp/Do respectively.

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.