Understanding the evolution of atmospheric nitrous oxide over the last century from the stable isotopes of the firn air at Styx Glacier, East Antarctica

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sambit Ghosh ◽  
Sakae Toyoda ◽  
Jinho Ahn ◽  
Youngjoon Jang ◽  
Naohiro Yoshida
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotopes ◽  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
East Antarctica ◽  
Box Model ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
Site Preference ◽  
Mixing Ratio ◽  
Mass Balance Calculation ◽  
Total N

<p>The increase in mixing ratio of greenhouse gas (GHG) has been believed to be the primary driver for the ongoing global warming. Among the GHGs, the mixing ratio of nitrous oxide (N<sub>2</sub>O) has increased by 23% since 1750 CE. N<sub>2</sub>O has a long residence time of ca. 120 years, and a potential to destruct the ozone layer. The Global Warming Potential of N<sub>2</sub>O is about 300 times greater than that of CO<sub>2</sub> over 100 years. However, the temporal changes in magnitude and geographic distribution of different N<sub>2</sub>O sources are uncertain, hence, understanding the dynamics of atmospheric N<sub>2</sub>O has been a challenge to the researcher during the last few decades. Here, we present new stable isotope data of N<sub>2</sub>O from the firn air at Styx Glacier, East Antarctica to comprehend the atmospheric evolution for the last 100 years. Our results show that the N<sub>2</sub>O mixing ratio has increased, whereas the δ<sup>15</sup>N<em><sup>bulk</sup></em> (‰, AIR) and δ<sup>18</sup>O (‰, VSMOW) values decreased during the last 100 years, consistent with the existing firn air records. The progressive increase in the N<sub>2</sub>O mixing ratio and the decrease in the isotope ratios suggest a higher contribution from the anthropogenic sources assuming that the N<sub>2</sub>O flux from the natural sources is constant. Our box model analysis using the stable isotopes and mixing ratio data of N<sub>2</sub>O of Styx firn air suggests that anthropogenic N<sub>2</sub>O emission at 2014 CE was ca. 37.5% higher than 1919 CE. The box model calculation with Styx and other firn air and ice core data suggests that in comparison to the pre-industrial era, the total N<sub>2</sub>O emission is ca. 61% higher at present (2014 CE), where ca. 62% and 38% contributions are from natural and anthropogenic sources, respectively to the total N<sub>2</sub>O emission. The isotope-based mass-balance calculation indicates that continental emission was ca. 45% higher in 2014 CE than in 1919 CE. Although there is a large scatter in existing data, the site preference of <sup>15</sup>N in N<sub>2</sub>O molecules (δ<sup>15</sup>N<em><sup>SP</sup></em> ‰, AIR) shows an increasing trend during the post-industrial era, which is consistent with the idea that enhanced fertilization increased soil N<sub>2</sub>O emissions by activating nitrification processes.</p>

Emissions of ammonia, nitrous oxide and methane from different types of dairy manure during storage as affected by dietary protein content

2001 ◽  
Vol 137 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. R. KÜLLING ◽  
H. MENZI ◽  
T. F. KRÖBER ◽  
A. NEFTEL ◽  
F. SUTTER ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Dietary Protein ◽  
Farmyard Manure ◽  
C:N Ratio ◽  
Trace Gas ◽  
Emission Rates ◽  
N Loss ◽  
Total N

In a storage experiment with dairy cow manure, the effects of dietary protein content and manure type on ammonia, nitrous oxide and methane volatilization as well as overall nitrogen (N) loss from manure were investigated. Early-lactating cows received rations with 175, 150 and 125 g crude protein/kg dry matter. Each ration was tested in four manure storage systems reflecting typical farm conditions. These either contained total excreta with high amounts of straw (deep litter manure) or no straw (slurry) or, proportionately, 0·9 of urine and 0·1 of faeces (urine-rich slurry) complemented by the residuals with a low amount of straw (farmyard manure). Manure samples were stored for 7 weeks under controlled conditions and trace gas emission was repeatedly measured. Reduction of N intake decreased daily N excretion and urine N proportion and, on average, led to 0·7-fold lower storage ammonia emission rates on average. Total storage N loss was simultaneously reduced with the extent depending on urine N proportion of the respective manures. A lower dietary protein content furthermore reduced nitrous oxide emission rates in most manure types but increased methane emission from urine-rich slurry; however, global warming potential (based on trace gas output) of all manures was similar with low and high dietary protein content. In deep litter manure, characterized by the highest C:N ratio, emission rates of total N, ammonia and methane were lowest, whereas nitrous oxide values were intermediate. Substantial emission of nitrous oxide occurred with farmyard manure which also had the highest methane values and, consequently, by far the highest global warming potential. C:N ratio of manure was shown to be suitable to predict total N loss from manure during storage in all manure types whereas urine N proportion and manure pH were only of use with liquid manures.

scholarly journals Biochar and urease inhibitor mitigate NH3 and N2O emissions and improve wheat yield in a urea fertilized alkaline soil

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khadim Dawar ◽  
Shah Fahad ◽  
M. M. R. Jahangir ◽  
Iqbal Munir ◽  
Syed Sartaj Alam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Block Design ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽  
N2o Emissions ◽  
Urease Inhibitor ◽  
Alkaline Soil ◽  
Total N ◽  
N Assimilation

AbstractIn this study, we explored the role of biochar (BC) and/or urease inhibitor (UI) in mitigating ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O) discharge from urea fertilized wheat cultivated fields in Pakistan (34.01°N, 71.71°E). The experiment included five treatments [control, urea (150 kg N ha−1), BC (10 Mg ha−1), urea + BC and urea + BC + UI (1 L ton−1)], which were all repeated four times and were carried out in a randomized complete block design. Urea supplementation along with BC and BC + UI reduced soil NH3 emissions by 27% and 69%, respectively, compared to sole urea application. Nitrous oxide emissions from urea fertilized plots were also reduced by 24% and 53% applying BC and BC + UI, respectively, compared to urea alone. Application of BC with urea improved the grain yield, shoot biomass, and total N uptake of wheat by 13%, 24%, and 12%, respectively, compared to urea alone. Moreover, UI further promoted biomass and grain yield, and N assimilation in wheat by 38%, 22% and 27%, respectively, over sole urea application. In conclusion, application of BC and/or UI can mitigate NH3 and N2O emissions from urea fertilized soil, improve N use efficiency (NUE) and overall crop productivity.

scholarly journals Denitrifying pathways dominate nitrous oxide emissions from managed grassland during drought and rewetting

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. eabb7118
Author(s):  
E. Harris ◽  
E. Diaz-Pines ◽  
E. Stoll ◽  
M. Schloter ◽  
S. Schulz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
High Variability ◽  
Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Total N ◽  
The Past ◽  
Precipitation Changes ◽  
Isotopic Measurements

Nitrous oxide is a powerful greenhouse gas whose atmospheric growth rate has accelerated over the past decade. Most anthropogenic N2O emissions result from soil N fertilization, which is converted to N2O via oxic nitrification and anoxic denitrification pathways. Drought-affected soils are expected to be well oxygenated; however, using high-resolution isotopic measurements, we found that denitrifying pathways dominated N2O emissions during a severe drought applied to managed grassland. This was due to a reversible, drought-induced enrichment in nitrogen-bearing organic matter on soil microaggregates and suggested a strong role for chemo- or codenitrification. Throughout rewetting, denitrification dominated emissions, despite high variability in fluxes. Total N2O flux and denitrification contribution were significantly higher during rewetting than for control plots at the same soil moisture range. The observed feedbacks between precipitation changes induced by climate change and N2O emission pathways are sufficient to account for the accelerating N2O growth rate observed over the past decade.

Nitrous oxide production in two forested watersheds exhibiting symptoms of nitrogen saturation

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (11) ◽  
pp. 1723-1732 ◽  
Author(s):  
William T Peterjohn ◽  
Richard J McGervey ◽  
Alan J Sexstone ◽  
Martin J Christ ◽  
Cassie J Foster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Nitrogen Saturation ◽  
N Cycling ◽  
Woody Vegetation ◽  
N Saturation ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Forested Watersheds ◽  
Total N ◽  
Nitrous Oxide Production ◽  
Poorly Drained Soils

A major concern about N saturation is that it may increase the production of a strong greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide (N2O). We measured N2O production in two forested watersheds, a young, fertilized forest (WS 3) and an older, unfertilized forest (WS 4), to (i) assess the importance of N2O production in forests showing symptoms of N saturation; (ii) estimate the contribution of chemoautrophic nitrification to total N2O production; and (iii) examine the relative importance of factors that may control N2O production. During the study period, mean monthly rates of N2O production (3.41-11.42 µ N ·m-2·h-1) were consistent with measurements from other well-drained forest soils but were much lower than measurements from N-rich sites with poorly drained soils. Chemoautotrophic nitrification was important in both watersheds, accounting for 60% (WS 3) and 40% (WS 4) of total N2O production. In WS 3, N2O production was enhanced by additions of CaCO3 and may be constrained by low soil pH. In WS 4, N2O production on south-facing slopes was exceptionally low, constrained by low NO3 availability, and associated with a distinct assemblage of woody vegetation. From this observation, we hypothesize that differences in vegetation can influence N cycling rates and susceptibility to N saturation.

scholarly journals Effect of carbon and nitrogen addition on nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide fluxes from thawing forest soils

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wu Haohao ◽  
Xu Xingkai ◽  
Duan Cuntao ◽  
Li TuanSheng ◽  
Cheng Weiguo
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Dissolved Organic Carbon ◽  
Forest Soils ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Soil Core ◽  
Total N ◽  
Nitrogen Inputs

AbstractPacked soil-core incubation experiments were done to study the effects of carbon (glucose, 6.4 g C m−2) and nitrogen (NH4Cl and KNO3, 4.5 g N m−2) addition on nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes during thawing of frozen soils under two forest stands (broadleaf and Korean pine mixed forest and white birch forest) with two moisture levels (55 and 80% water-filled pore space). With increasing soil moisture, the magnitude and longevity of the flush N2O flux from forest soils was enhanced during the early period of thawing, which was accompanied by great NO3−-N consumption. Without N addition, the glucose-induced cumulative CO2fluxes ranged from 9.61 to 13.49 g CO2-C m−2, which was larger than the dose of carbon added as glucose. The single addition of glucose increased microbial biomass carbon but slightly affected soil dissolved organic carbon pool. Thus, the extra carbon released upon addition of glucose can result from the decomposition of soil native organic carbon. The glucose-induced N2O and CO2fluxes were both significantly correlated to the glucose-induced total N and dissolved organic carbon pools and influenced singly and interactively by soil moisture and KNO3addition. The interactive effects of glucose and nitrogen inputs on N2O and CO2fluxes from forest soils after frost depended on N sources, soil moisture, and vegetation types.

scholarly journals Formation processes of basal ice at Hamna Glacier, Sôya Coast, East Antarctica, inferred by detailed co-isotopic analyses

2001 ◽  
Vol 47 (157) ◽  
pp. 223-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshinori Iizuka ◽  
Hiroshi Satake ◽  
Takayuki Shiraiwa ◽  
Renji Naruse
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotopes ◽  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Open System ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
East Antarctica ◽  
Formation Processes ◽  
Basal Ice ◽  
Isotopic Analyses

AbstractDebris-laden basal ice is exposed along an ice cliff near Hamna Glacier, Sôya Coast, East Antarctica. The basal ice is about 6.8 m thick and shows conspicuous stratigraphic features. The upper 5.5 m consists of alternating layers of bubble-free and bubbly ice. δ values of the bubble-free ice layers are enriched by 2.4 ±1.0‰ (standard deviation) for δ18O compared to values of neighboring bubbly ice layers above, and slopes of δ18O vs δD are close to 8. Such layers are suggested to have been formed by refreezing of meltwater in an open system. In contrast, part of the bubbly ice layers shows neutral profiles for stable isotopes, suggesting that these ice masses are undisturbed ice-sheet ice which was not affected by melting and freezing. The massive alternating layers are thus considered to have been formed by folding of refrozen and non-melted layers. The lower 1.3 m consists predominantly of bubble-free massive ice. The profile of co-isotopic values shows a change of about 3.0‰ for δ18O at the interface between bubble-free and bubbly ice. Since the isotopic change occurred over a wider thickness than the upper 5.5 m, the basal ice is suggested to have been formed by refreezing of meltwater on a larger scale than the upper 5.5 m.

scholarly journals Continuous measurements of nitrous oxide isotopomers during incubation experiments

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malte Winther ◽  
David Balslev-Harder ◽  
Søren Christensen ◽  
Anders Priemé ◽  
Bo Elberling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Isotope Effect ◽  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Isotope Effects ◽  
Denitrifying Bacteria ◽  
Central Position ◽  
Site Preference ◽  
Continuous Measurements ◽  
Incubation Experiments

Abstract. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is an important and strong greenhouse gas in the atmosphere and part of a feed-back loop with climate. N2O is produced by microbes during nitrification and denitrification in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The main sinks for N2O are turnover by denitrification and photolysis and photo-oxidation in the stratosphere. The position of the isotope 15N in the linear N = N = O molecule can be distinguished between the central or terminal position (isotopomers of N2O). It has been demonstrated that nitrifying and denitrifying microbes have a different relative preference for the terminal and central position. Therefore, measurements of the site preference in N2O can be used to determine the source of N2O i.e. nitrification or denitrification. Recent instrument development allows for continuous (on the order of days) position dependent δ15N measurements at N2O concentrations relevant for studies of atmospheric chemistry. We present results from continuous incubation experiments with denitrifying bacteria, Pseudomonas fluorescens (producing and reducing N2O) and P. chlororaphis (only producing N2O). The continuous position dependent measurements reveal the transient pattern (KNO3 to N2O and N2, respectively), which can be compared to previous reported site preference (SP) values. We find bulk isotope effects of −5.5 ‰ ± 0.9 for P. chlororaphis. For P. fluorescens, the bulk isotope effect during production of N2O is −50.4 ‰ ± 9.3 and 8.5 ‰ ± 3.7 during N2O reduction. The values for P. fluorescens are in line with earlier findings, whereas the values for P. chlororaphis are larger than previously published δ15Nbulk measurements from production. The calculations of the SP isotope effect from the measurements of P. chlororaphis result in values of −6.6 ‰ ± 1.8. For P. fluorescens, the calculations results in SP values of −5.7 ‰ ± 5.6 during production of N2O and 2.3 ‰ ± 3.2 during reduction of N2O. In summary, we implemented continuous measurements of N2O isotopomers during incubation of denitrifying bacteria and believe that similar experiments will lead to a better understanding of denitrifying bacteria and N2O turnover in soils and sediments and ultimately hands-on knowledge on the biotic mechanisms behind greenhouse gas exchange of the Globe.

scholarly journals Suspended Particular Matter drives the spatial segregation of nitrogen turnover along the hyper-turbid Ems estuary

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gesa Schulz ◽  
Tina Sanders ◽  
Justus E. E. van Beusekom ◽  
Yoana G. Voynova ◽  
Andreas Schöl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotopes ◽  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Water Column ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
Nitrate Removal ◽  
Tidal River ◽  
Nutrient Loads ◽  
Ems Estuary ◽  
Nitrogen Turnover

Abstract. Estuaries are nutrient filters and change riverine nutrient loads before they reach coastal oceans. They have been extensively changed by anthropogenic activities like draining, deepening, and dredging to meet economic and social demand, causing significant regime changes like tidal amplifications and in some cases to hyper-turbid conditions. Furthermore, increased nutrient loads, especially nitrogen, mainly by agriculture cause coastal eutrophication. Estuaries can either act as a sink or as a source of nitrate, depending on environmental and geomorphological conditions. These factors vary along an estuary, and change nitrogen turnover in the system. Here, we investigate the factors controlling nitrogen turnover in the hyper-turbid Ems estuary (Northern Germany) that has been strongly impacted by human activities. During two research cruises in August 2014 and June 2020, we measured water column properties, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, dual stable isotopes of nitrate and dissolved nitrous oxide concentration along the estuary. Overall, the Ems estuary acts as a nitrate sink in both years. However, three distinct biogeochemical zones exist along the estuary. A strong fractionation (~ 26 ‰) of nitrate stable isotopes points towards nitrate removal via water column denitrification in the hyper-turbid Tidal River, driven by anoxic conditions in deeper water layers. In the Middle Reaches of the estuary nitrification gains in importance turning this section into a net nitrate source. The Outer Reaches are dominated by mixing with nitrate uptake in 2020. We find that the overarching control on biogeochemical nitrogen cycling, zonation and nitrous oxide production in the Ems estuary is exerted by suspended particulate matter concentrations and the linked oxygen deficits.

Seasonal Dynamics of Fertilizer-Derived Hydrolysable NH3 in an Arable Soil of Northeast China

2012 ◽  
Vol 496 ◽  
pp. 502-506
Author(s):  
Hui Jie Lü ◽  
Hong Bo He ◽  
Xu Dong Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Grain Filling ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
Organic N ◽  
Soil N ◽  
Fertilizer N ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Total N ◽  
Growing Period ◽  
Residual Fertilizer N

Fertilizer applications to soil are widely known to be the most important anthropogenic sources to influence soil N turnover in agricultural ecosystems. More information is required on the relationships between soil organic N (SON) forms in order to predict the maintenance, transformation and stability of soil N. Accordingly, 15N-labeled (NH4)2SO4 (totally 200 kg N/ha) was applied to a maize crop throughout the entire growing period to investigate the distribution and the dynamics of fertilizer-derived N in hydrolyzable-NH3 fraction by measuring the labeled N in them. The accumulation of 15N in hydrolyzable-NH3 fraction was time-dependent although the total N concentration changed only slightly. The transformation of the residual fertilizer N to hydrolyzable-NH3-15N was maximal during the silking and grain filling stages, suggesting the fertilizer N was immobilized at an early stage during the growing period. The rapid decrease of 15N in hydrolyzable-NH3 pool indicated that hydrolyzable-NH3-15N was a temporary pool for fertilizer N retention and was able to release fertilizer N for uptake by the current crop

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document