Summary
This review synthesises methodological approaches for quantifying denitrification products from terrestrial soils, addressing the particular challenge of measuring dinitrogen (N2) against atmospheric background. The authors evaluate inhibitor-based, atmospheric exchange, and isotopic methods, proposing quality parameters for application across scales. They conclude that method combinations with real-time monitoring and soil-gas diffusivity modelling offer promise for improved quantification, but highlight the need for more accessible field methods.
UK applicability
These methodological recommendations are directly applicable to UK upland and lowland soil research, particularly given the relevance of denitrification to nitrogen management in agriculture and water quality. The emphasis on field-scale methods is pertinent to UK farming and environmental monitoring contexts.
Key measures
N2O and N2 emission rates; N2O:(N2O + N2) emission ratio; denitrification pathways and production mechanisms
Outcomes reported
This review examined and evaluated multiple methodological approaches for quantifying both dinitrogen (N2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from soil denitrification, including inhibitor-based, helium/oxygen atmosphere exchange, and isotopic methods. The authors identified quality parameters for measuring denitrification across scales from controlled environments to field conditions.
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