Summary
This review synthesises methods for measuring denitrification products (N2 and N2O) from terrestrial soils, a critical challenge in quantifying reactive nitrogen loss pathways that affect both agricultural productivity and environmental quality. The authors evaluate approaches based on inhibitors, helium/oxygen atmosphere exchange, and isotopic tracers, assessing their capacity to account for different pathways of N2 and N2O production. The review proposes quality parameters for denitrification measurement across scales and identifies method combinations and modelling approaches as promising for improved quantification, whilst highlighting the need for more accessible field methods.
UK applicability
UK upland and lowland soils experience denitrification losses under wet conditions; improved measurement methods would support better quantification of N losses and validation of mitigation strategies in British farming systems. The review's emphasis on developing more mobile and accessible field methods is particularly relevant for UK agronomy and soil monitoring programmes.
Key measures
N2 emissions, N2O emissions, N2O:(N2O + N2) emission ratio, denitrification rate
Outcomes reported
This review examined and evaluated multiple laboratory and field methods for quantifying both dinitrogen (N2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from denitrification in terrestrial soils. The authors identified method combinations, real-time monitoring, and soil-gas diffusivity modelling as approaches with potential to improve quantitative understanding of denitrification across scales.
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