Denitrification as a source of nitric oxide emissions from incubated soil cores from a UK grassland soil

Summary

This laboratory incubation study isolated and quantified nitric oxide emissions specifically attributable to denitrification in a UK grassland soil using intact soil cores maintained under controlled conditions. By separating the denitrification contribution from other NO emission pathways, the work addresses a significant gap in understanding soil microbial nitrogen cycling mechanisms in pasture systems. The findings support more accurate greenhouse gas and air quality inventory estimates for UK grassland agriculture, where NO emissions from soil are often poorly characterised.

UK applicability

The results directly apply to UK grassland and pasture systems, providing empirical evidence on a major but understudied source of atmospheric NO pollution from British soils. The findings can inform UK agricultural emissions inventories and support the development of evidence-based mitigation strategies for reducing NO losses from grassland management.

Key measures

Nitric oxide (NO) emission rates; denitrification pathway contribution to total NO emissions; soil core incubation under controlled conditions

Outcomes reported

The study quantified nitric oxide (NO) emissions specifically from the denitrification pathway in UK grassland soil using incubated soil cores under controlled laboratory conditions. The work characterised the contribution of microbial denitrification to total NO emissions from pasture soils.

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