Measurement of CO2 emission in soils through optical absorption spectroscopy

• Grant number: 97/12009-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: January 01, 1998
• End date: December 31, 1999
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Soil Science
• Principal Investigator: Newton La Scala Júnior
• Grantee: Newton La Scala Júnior
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In this work we are presenting a plan which aims to determine the concentration of CO2 emitted by soils using a portable apparatus with sensitivity in detection of 0.2 parts per million volume (ppmv). The initial characterization will be carried out in soils planted with five different agricultural crops in the region of Jaboticabal, São Paulo, over two years, aiming to determine the variations in levels of CO2 emitted as a result of factors such as organic activity, temperature, luminosity and crop planted. The publication of this data will complement the knowledge on the global balance of carbon in the biosphere. It is important to point out also that, in addition to the application of the technique of optical absorption in the emission of soil-air CO2, the same technique could be used in the characterization of other systems. An example would be the determination of sweating of animals by simultaneous measurement of water vapor and CO2, respectively. (AU)