Mitigation of methane and nitrous oxide emissions from flood-irrigated rice by no incorporation of winter crop residues into the soil

Winter cover crops are sources of C and N in flooded rice production systems, but very little is known about the effect of crop residue management and quality on soil methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. This study was conducted in pots in a greenhouse to evaluate the influence of crop residue management (incorporated into the soil or left on the soil surface) and the type of cover-crop residues (ryegrass and serradella) on CH4 and N2O emissions from a flooded Albaqualf soil cultivated with rice (Oryza sativa L.). The closed chamber technique was used for air sampling and the CH4 and N2O concentrations were analyzed by gas chromatography. Soil solution was sampled at two soil depths (2 and 20 cm), simultaneously to air sampling, and the contents of dissolved organic C (DOC), NO3-, NH4+, Mn2+, and Fe2+ were analyzed. Methane and N2O emissions from the soil where crop residues had been left on the surface were lower than from soil with incorporated residues. The type of crop residue had no effect on the CH4 emissions, while higher N2O emissions were observed from serradella (leguminous) than from ryegrass, but only when the residues were left on the soil surface. The more intense soil reduction verified in the deeper soil layer (20 cm), as evidenced by higher contents of reduced metal species (Mn2+ and Fe2+), and the close relationship between CH4 emission and the DOC contents in the deeper layer indicated that the sub-surface layer was the main CH4 source of the flooded soil with incorporated crop residues. The adoption of management strategies in which crop residues are left on the soil surface is crucial to minimize soil CH4 and N2O emissions from irrigated rice fields. In these production systems, CH4 accounts for more than 90 % of the partial global warming potential (CH4+N2O) and, thus, should be the main focus of research.

Effect of soil wetness on air composition and nitrous oxide emission in a loam soil

Selostus: Maan märkyyden vaikutus ilman koostumukseen ja dityppioksidiemissioon hiuemaassa

EFFECT OF RICE STRAW AND NITRATE LEVELS IN SOIL SOLUTION ON NITROUS OXIDE EMISSION

Among the greenhouse gases, nitrous oxide (N2O) is considered important, in view of a global warming potential 296 times greater than that of carbon dioxide (CO2) and its dynamics strongly depend on the availability of C and mineral N in the soil. The understanding of the factors that define emissions is essential to develop mitigation strategies. This study evaluated the dynamics of N2O emissions after the application of different rice straw amounts and nitrate levels in soil solution. Pots containing soil treated with sodium nitrate rates (0, 50 and 100 g kg-1 of NO−3-N) and rice straw levels (0, 5 and 10 Mg ha-1), i.e., nine treatments, were subjected to anaerobic conditions. The results showed that N2O emissions were increased by the addition of greater NO−3 amounts and reduced by large straw quantities applied to the soil. On the 1st day after flooding (DAF), significantly different N2O emissions were observed between the treatments with and without NO−3 addition, when straw had no significant influence on N2O levels. Emissions peaked on the 4th DAF in the treatments with highest NO−3-N addition. At this moment, straw application negatively affected N2O emissions, probably due to NO−3 immobilization. There were also alterations in other soil electrochemical characteristics, e.g., higher straw levels raised the Fe, Mn and dissolved C contents. These results indicate that a lowering of NO−3 concentration in the soil and the increase of straw incorporation can decrease N2O emissions.

Sheep Excreta as Source of Nitrous Oxide in Ryegrass Pasture in Southern Brazil

ABSTRACT Livestock urine and dung are important components of the N cycle in pastures, but little information on its effect on soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions is available. We conducted a short-term (39-day) trial to quantify the direct N2O-N emissions from sheep excreta on an experimental area of ryegrass pasture growing on a Typic Paleudult in southern Brazil. Four rates of urine-N (161, 242, 323, and 403 kg ha-1 N) and one of dung-N (13 kg ha-1 N) were applied, as well as a control plot receiving no excreta. The N2O-N emission factor (EF = % of added N released as N2O-N) for urine and dung was calculated, taking into account the N2O fluxes in the field, over a period of 39 days. The EF value of the urine and dung was used to estimate the emissions of N2O-N over a 90-day period of pasture in the winter under two grazing intensities (2.5 or 5.0 times the herbage intake potential of grazing lambs). The soil N2O-N fluxes ranged from 4 to 353 µg m-2h-1. The highest N2O-N fluxes occurred 16 days after application of urine and dung, when the highest soil nitrate content was also recorded and the water-filled pore space exceeded 60 %. The mean EF for urine was 0.25 % of applied N, much higher than that for dung (0.06 %). We found that N2O-N emissions for the 90-day winter pasture period were 0.54 kg ha-1 for low grazing intensity and 0.62 kg ha-1 for moderate grazing intensity. Comparison of the two forms of excreta show that urine was the main contributor to N2O-N emissions (mean of 36 %), whereas dung was responsible for less than 0.1 % of total soil N2O-N emissions.

Fluxes of nitrous oxide on natural peatlands in Vuotos, an area projected for a hydroelectric reservoir in northern Finland

Tiivistelmä: Typpioksiduulivirrat suunnitellun Vuotoksen tekojärven alueen soilta

Biochar and soil nitrous oxide emissions

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of biochar application on soil nitrous oxide emissions. The experiment was carried out in pots under greenhouse conditions. Four levels of ground commercial charcoal of 2 mm (biochar) were evaluated in a sandy Albaqualf (90% of sand): 0, 3, 6, and 9 Mg ha-1. All treatments received 100 kg ha-1 of N as urea. A cubic effect of biochar levels was observed on the N2O emissions. Biochar doses above 5 Mg ha-1 started to mitigate the emissions in the evaluated soil. However, lower doses promote the emissions.

Nitrous oxide emissions from an intermittent aeration activated sludge system of an urban wastewater treatment plant

This study investigated the emission of N2O during the sequential aerated (60-min) and non-aerated (30-min) stages of an intermittent aeration cycle in an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). N2O emission occurred during both stages; however, emission was much higher during aeration. Air stripping is the major factor controlling transfer of N2O from the sewage to the atmosphere. The N2O emissions exclusively from the aeration tank represented 0.10% of the influent total nitrogen load and the per capita emission factor was almost 3 times higher than that suggested by the IPCC for inventories of N2O emission from WWTPs.

Nitrosospira spp. can produce nitrous oxide via a nitrifier denitrification pathway

Nitrous oxide (N2O) emission from soils is a major contributor to the atmospheric loading of this potent greenhouse gas. It is thought that autotrophic ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) are a significant source of soil-derived N2O and a denitrification pathway (i.e. reduction of NO2- to NO and N2O), so-called nitrifier denitrification, has been demonstrated as a N2O production mechanism in Nitrosomonas europaea. It is thought that Nitrosospira spp. are the dominant AOB in soil, but little information is available on their ability to produce N2O or on the existence of a nitrifier denitrification pathway in this lineage. This study aims to characterize N2O production and nitrifier denitrification in seven strains of AOB representative of clusters 0, 2 and 3 in the cultured Nitrosospira lineage. Nitrosomonas europaea ATCC 19718 and ATCC 25978 were analysed for comparison. The aerobically incubated test strains produced significant (P < 0.001) amounts of N2O and total N2O production rates ranged from 2.0 amol cell(-1) h(-1), in Nitrosospira tenuis strain NV12, to 58.0 amol cell(-1) h(-1), in N. europaea ATCC 19718. Nitrosomonas europaea ATCC 19718 was atypical in that it produced four times more N2O than the next highest producing strain. All AOB tested were able to carry out nitrifier denitrification under aerobic conditions, as determined by production of N-15-N2O from applied N-15-NO2-. Up to 13.5% of the N2O produced was derived from the exogenously applied N-15-NO2-. The results suggest that nitrifier denitrification could be a universal trait in the betaproteobacterial AOB and its potential ecological significance is discussed.

Effects of nitrous oxide on IOP and pupillary diameter in dogs anesthetized with varying concentrations of desflurane

Objective The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of nitrous oxide on TOP and pupillary diameter (PD) of dogs anesthetized with varying desflurane concentrations.Animals studied Twenty adult Mongrel dogs were used.Methods They were anesthetized with propofol (10 mg/kg, IV) and maintained with varying concentrations of desflurane (1.6, 1.4, and 1.2 MAC diluted in 100% oxygen (G1) or in 70% nitrous oxide and 30% oxygen (G2) (30 mL/kg/min). TOP was measured by applanation tonometry and horizontal PD was taken with a caliper adjacent to the cornea. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and end-tidal CO, (etCO(2)) were also measured. All parameters were measured at TO, T30, T45, and T60 time points. One-way repeated measures ANOVA and the t-test were used to assess statistical differences (P < 0.05).Results T30, T45, and T60 TOP measures were Within normal limits for both groups and TOP did not differ between groups at any time. There was a significant decrease in PD in G I between TO and T30, T45 and T60, and also between T30 and T60. PD did not differ between groups. All vital parameters were within normal limits throughout anesthesia.Conclusions Administration of nitrous oxide with desflurane results in maintenance of normal TOP and prevents a decrease in horizontal PD during anesthesia. Therefore, this may be a suitable protocol in dogs undergoing intraocular surgeries that require mydriasis and maintenance of normal TOP.

High laryngeal mask airway pressures resulting from nitrous oxide do not increase pharyngeal mucosal injury in dogs

Purpose: During general anesthesia, nitrous oxide (N2O) diffuses rapidly into the air-filled laryngeal mask airway (LMA) cuff, increasing intracuff pressure. There is no clear correlation between LMA intracuff pressure and pressure on the pharynx. We have studied the effects of high LMA intracuff pressures secondary to N2O on the pharyngeal mucosa of dogs.Methods: Sixteen mongrel dogs were randomly allocated to two groups: G1 (intracuff volume, 30 mL; n = 8) breathed a mixture of O-2 (1 L.min(-1)) and air (1 L.min(-1)) and G2 (intracuff volume, 30 mL; n=8) a mixture of O-2 (1 L.min(-1)) and N2O (1 L.min(-1)). Anesthesia was induced and maintained with pentobarbitone. LMA cuff pressure was measured at zero (control), 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after #4 LMA insertion. The dogs were sacrificed, and biopsy specimens from seven predetermined areas of the pharynx in contact with the LMA cuff were collected for light (LM) and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) examination by a blinded observer.Results: LMA intracuff pressure decreased with time in G1 (P < 0.001) and increased in G2 (P < 0.001). There was a significant difference between the groups (P < 0.001). In both groups, the LM study showed a normal epithelium covering the pharyngeal mucosa and mild congestion in the subepithelial layer There were no differences between the groups (P > 0.10) or among the areas sampled (P > 0.05). In both groups, the SEM study showed a normal pharyngeal mucosa with mild superficial desquamation. Few specimens in G1 and G2 showed more intense epithelial desquamation.Conclusion: High LMA intracuff pressures produced by N2O do not increase pharyngeal mucosal injury in dogs.

Does sealing endotracheal tube cuff pressure diminish the frequency of postoperative laryngotracheal complaints after nitrous oxide anesthesia?

Study Objectives: To study endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff pressures during nitrous oxide (N2O) anesthesia when the cuffs are inflated with air to achieve sealing pressure, and to evaluate the frequency of postoperative laryngotracheal complaints.Design: Prospective, randomized, blind study.Setting: Metropolitan teaching hospital.Patients: 50 ASA physical status I and II patients scheduled for elective abdominal surgery.Interventions: Patients received standard general anesthesia with 66% N2O in oxygen. In 25 patients, the ETT cuff was inflated with air to achieve a sealing pressure (P-seal group). In 25 patients, the ETT cuff was inflated with air to achieve a pressure of 25 cm H2O (P-25 group).Measurements and Main Results: ETT intracuff pressures were recorded before (control) and at 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 minutes during N2O administration. We investigated the frequency and intensity of sore throat, hoarseness, and dysphagia in patients in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and 24 hours following tracheal extubation. The cuff pressures in the P-seal group were significantly lower than in the P-25 group at all time points studied (p < 0.001), with a significant increase with time in both groups (p < 0.001). The cuff pressures exceeded the critical pressure of 30 cm H2O only after 90 minutes in the P-seal group and already by 30 minutes in the P-25 group. The frequency and intensity of sore throat, hoarseness, and dysphagia were similar in both groups in the PACU and 24 hours after tracheal extubation (p > 0.05).Conclusions: Minimum ETT sealing cuff pressure during N2O anesthesia did not prevent, but instead attenuated, the increase in cuff pressure and did not decrease postoperative laryngotracheal complaints. (C) 2004 by Elsevier B.V.

Effects of nitrous oxide on minimum alveolar concentration of desflurane in dogs

Estudaram-se os efeitos do óxido nitroso (N2O) sobre a concentração alveolar mínima (CAM) do desfluorano. Trinta cães foram distribuídos em dois grupos: desfluorano (GD) e N2O e desfluorano (GDN). Os do GD receberam propofol (8,9±1,65mg/kg) para intubação orotraqueal e após, 11,5V% de desfluorano em 100% de O2. Após 30 minutos, os animais receberam estímulo elétrico e não havendo reação do animal, reduziu-se a concentração em 1,5V%. Repetiu-se o protocolo a cada 15 minutos, cessando-se os estímulos quando observada reação voluntária. Os GDN foram submetidos ao mesmo protocolo, substituindo-se o fluxo diluente por 30% O2 e 70% N2O. Mensuraram-se freqüências cardíaca (FC) e respiratória (FR), pressões arteriais sistólica, diastólica e média (PAS, PAD e PAM), concentração de dióxido de carbono ao final da expiração (ETCO2), saturação de oxihemoglobina (SpO2), temperatura corpórea (TC) e a CAM do desfluorano. Observou-se aumento da FC, ETCO2 e SpO2, e redução da FR e da TC concomitantemente à administração da maior dose de desfluorano, além de redução da CAM do desfluorano. As pressões arteriais diminuíram em M30 aumentando posteriormente. Concluiu-se que o N2O associado ao desfluorano reduz em 16% a CAM do anestésico volátil. Além disso, essa associação promoveu aumento da FC e depressão respiratória.

Nitrous oxide production and potential denitrification in soils from riparian buffer strips: Influence of earthworms and plant litter

Vegetated riparian buffer strips have been established in Southern Quebec (Canada) in order to intercept nutrients such as nitrate (NO(3)(-)) and protect water quality near agricultural fields. Buffer strips may also favour denitrification through a combination of high soil moisture, NO(3)(-) and carbon supply, which could lead to the production of nitrous oxide (N(2)O), a greenhouse gas. Denitrification could be further amplified by the presence of earthworms, or by plant species that promote earthworm and bacterial activity in soils. Soils from four farms, comprising maize fields and adjacent buffer strips, were sampled in the fall of 2008. A total of six earthworm species were found, but average earthworm biomass did not differ between buffer strips and maize agroecoecosystems. Nitrate concentrations and net nitrification rates were higher in the maize fields than in the buffer strips: there was no difference in N(2)O production in soils collected from the two sampling locations. Potential denitrification, measured by acetylene inhibition, varied by two orders of magnitude, depending on experimental conditions: when amended with H(2)O or with H(2)O + NO3-, potential denitrification was higher (P < 0.05) in soils from buffer strips than from maize fields. Potential denitrification was highest in soils amended with H(2)O+glucose, or with H(2)O+ NO(3)(-) + glucose. Using microcosms, we tested the effect of litter-soil mixtures on earthworm growth, and the effect of earthworm-litter-soil mixtures on potential denitrification. Based on four categories of chemical assays, litters of woody species (oak, apple, Rhododendron) were generally of lower nutritional quality than litter from agronomic species (alfalfa, switchgrass, corn stover). Alfalfa litter had the most positive effect, whereas apple litter had the most negative effect, on earthworm growth. Potential denitrification was 2-4 times higher in earthworm-litter-soil mixtures than in plain soil. Litter treatments that included corn stover had lower potential denitrification than those that included alfalfa or switchgrass, whereas litter treatments that included oak had lower potential denitrification than those that included apple or Rhododendron. Results suggest that potential N(2)O emissions may be higher in riparian buffer strips than in adjacent maize fields, that N(2)O emissions in buffer strips may be amplified by comminuting earthworms, and that plant litters that reduce earthworm growth may not be best at mitigating N(2)O emissions. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Nitrous oxide emissions from gasohol, ethanol and CNG light duty vehicles

A sample of 21 light duty vehicles powered by Otto cycle engines were tested on a chassis dynamometer to measure the exhaust emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O). The tests were performed at the Vehicle Emission Laboratory of CETESB (Environmental Company of the State of Sao Paulo) using the US-FTP-75 (Federal Test Procedure) driving cycle. The sample tested included passenger cars running on three types of fuels used in Brazil: gasohol, ethanol and CNG. The measurement of N2O was made using two methods: Non Dispersive InfraRed (NDIR) analyzer and Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy (FTIR). Measurements of regulated pollutants were also made in order to establish correlations between N2O and NOx. The average N2O emission factors obtained by the NDIR method was 78 +/- 41 mg.km(-1) for vehicles running with gasohol, 73 +/- 45 mg.km(-1) for ethanol vehicles and 171 +/- 69 mg.km(-1) for CNG vehicles. Seventeen results using the FTIR method were also obtained. For gasohol vehicles the results showed a good agreement between the two methods, with an average emission factor of 68 +/- 41 mg.km(-1). The FTIR measurement results of N2O for ethanol and CNG vehicles were much lower than those obtained by the NDIR method. The emission factors were 17 +/- 10 mg.km(-1) and 33 +/- 17 mg.km(-1), respectively, possibly because of the interference of water vapor (present at a higher concentration in the exhaust gases of these vehicles) on measurements by the NDIR method.

Stable isotope investigations of atmospheric nitrous oxide

ZusammenfassungDie Analyse von Isotopenverhältnissen ist von wachsender Bedeutung bei der Untersuchung von Quellen, Senken und chemischen Reaktionswegen atmosphärischer Spurengase. Distickstoffoxid (N2O) hat vier isotopisch einfach substituierte Spezies: 14N15N16O, 15N14N16O, 14N217O und 14N218O. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden massenspektrometrische Methoden entwickelt, die eine komplette Charakterisierung der Variationen im Vorkommen dieser Spezies ermöglichen. Es wird die bisher umfassendste Darstellung dieser Variationen in Troposphäre und Stratosphäre gegeben und mit Bezug auf eine Reihe von Laborexperimenten detailliert interpretiert.Die Laborexperimente machen einen großen Anteil dieser Doktorarbeit aus und konzentrieren sich auf die Isotopenfraktionierung in den stratosphärischen N2O-Senken, d. h. Photolyse und Reaktion mit elektronisch angeregten Sauerstoffatomen, O(1D). Diese Prozesse sind von dominantem Einfluß auf die Isotopenzusammensetzung von atmosphärischem N2O. Potentiell wichtige Parameter wie Temperatur- und Druckvariationen, aber auch Veränderungen der Wellenlänge im Fall der Photolyse wurden berücksichtigt. Photolyse bei stratosphärisch relevanten Wellenlängen > 190 nm zeigte immer Anreicherungen von 15N in beiden Stickstoffatomen des verbleibenden N2O wie auch in 17O und 18O. Die Anreicherungen waren am mittelständigen N-Atom signifikant höher als am endständigen N (mit mittleren Werten für 18O) und stiegen zu größeren Wellenlängen und niedrigeren Temperaturen hin an. Erstmalig wurden für 18O und 15N am endständigen N-Atom Isotopenabreicherungen bei 185 nm-Photolyse festgestellt. Im Gegensatz zur Photolyse waren die Isotopenanreicherungen bei der zweiten wichtigen N2O-Senke, Reaktion mit O(1D) vergleichsweise gering. Jedoch war das positionsabhängige Fraktionierungsmuster dem der Photolyse direkt entgegengesetzt und zeigte größere Anreicherungen am endständigen N-Atom. Demgemäß führen beiden Senkenprozesse zu charakteristischen Isotopensignaturen in stratosphärischem N2O. Weitere N2O-Photolyseexperimente zeigten, daß 15N216O in der Atmosphäre höchstwahrscheinlich mit der statistisch zu erwartenden Häufigkeit vorkommt.Kleine stratosphärische Proben erforderten die Anpassung der massenspektrometrischen Methoden an Permanentflußtechniken, die auch für Messungen an Firnluftproben von zwei antarktischen Stationen verwendet wurden. Das 'Firnluftarchiv' erlaubte es, den gegenwärtigen Trend und die präindustriellen Werte der troposphärischen N2O-Isotopensignatur zu bestimmen. Ein daraus konstruiertes globales N2O-Isotopenbudget ist im Einklang mit den besten Schätzungen der Gesamt-N2O-Emissionen aus Böden und Ozeanen.17O-Messungen bestätigten die Sauerstoffisotopenanomalie in atmosphärischem N2O, zeigten aber auch, daß N2O-Photolyse die Sauerstoffisotope gemäß einem massenabhängigen Fraktionierungsgesetz anreichert. Eine troposphärische Ursache für einen Teil des Exzeß-17O wurde vorgeschlagen, basierend auf der Reaktion von NH2 mit NO2, wodurch die Sauerstoffisotopenanomalie von O3 über NO2 an N2O übertragen wird.