Comparison of techniques for measuring nitrous oxide emission from soils of agricultural and livestock systems

• Grant number: 13/02791-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: May 21, 2013
• End date: September 20, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Soil Science
• Principal Investigator: Newton La Scala Júnior
• Grantee: Eduardo Barretto de Figueiredo
• Supervisor: Claudia Wagner-Riddle
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Guelph, Canada

Abstract

Increasing nitrous oxide (N2O) concentration in the atmosphere is an environmental concern because of its reaction with stratospheric ozone and its contribution to the enhanced greenhouse effect. Agriculture is a major source of N2O, contributing approximately with 50% of global emission and according to the second National Inventory of Greenhouse Gases Emissions from Brazil, total N2O emissions were estimated to be 546 Gg (Gigagram) in 2005, with the agriculture and livestock sectors responsible for 87% of this total (476 Gg). Uncertainties and lack of data concerning N2O EFs (emission factors) are still high for several agricultural crops and livestock management systems in Brazil. The emission of the trace gas nitrous oxide (N2O) from terrestrial ecosystems has been measured using chambers for several decades. Alternative integrative micrometeorological methods to measure N2O flux have been suggested. Studies of N2O fluxes from soil under different crop rotations and tillage systems in Brazil normally apply a methodology which uses a static-closed system and the gas samples are analyzed using gas chromatograph. In the University of Guelph, the research group will make use of Picarro analyzer that uses a unique Wavelength-Scanned Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy. The main goal of this research proposal to be developed in the University of Guelph is to follow and assist Professor Dr. Claudia Wagner-Riddle´s research group with N2O and CH4 measurements techniques from livestock and agricultural areas and learn about updated procedures and methodologies to monitor greenhouse gases (mainly N2O) from livestock and agriculture. (AU)