Summary
This laboratory study examined how soil water saturation influences denitrification and nitrification-derived nitrous oxide emissions in grassland soil, using stable isotope analysis of N2O to trace emission pathways. The research found that flux variability was greater in less saturated soils due to nutrient distribution heterogeneity from soil cracking, whilst denitrification dominated at highest saturations. The work contributes to mechanistic understanding of how soil compaction and moisture interact to control greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural soils at the micropore scale.
UK applicability
The findings are directly applicable to UK grassland management and soil compaction practices, particularly relevant to understanding N2O emissions from pasture-based livestock systems under variable rainfall and drainage conditions. The results may inform land management strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from grassland soils in UK agricultural contexts.
Key measures
Nitrous oxide (N2O) and dinitrogen (N2) gas flux emissions; water-filled pore space (WFPS); N2O isotopocules; soil saturation levels
Outcomes reported
The study measured nitrous oxide (N2O) and dinitrogen (N2) gas fluxes and isotopocule composition at varying soil saturation levels in a grassland soil incubation experiment. Results indicated that denitrification was the predominant N2O source at high saturation, whilst nitrification may have contributed at lower saturation levels (71% WFPS).
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