Nitrate (agricultural runoff) Stimulates Greenhouse Gas Production (Nitrous Oxide) in Small Streams

[OKIsItJustMe]

https://www.soils.org/news-media/releases/2009/0330/252/

Soil Science Society of America
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NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Sara Uttech, Soil Science Society of America, 608-268-4948, suttechatsoils.org

Nitrate Stimulates Greenhouse Gas Production in Small Streams

A recent study focuses on streams near Midwest agricultural areas to investigate the flow and fate of nitrate.

MADISON, WI, MARCH 30, 2009 – Nitrous oxide is a potent greenhouse gas that has been accumulating in the atmosphere since the industrial revolution. It is well known that fertilizer can stimulate nitrous oxide production in soils, but less is known about nitrous oxide production in small streams which drain agricultural landscapes. Much of the cropland in the agricultural Midwest is drained by an extensive subsurface drainage network which delivers soil-derived nitrate to small streams where it may be converted to nitrous oxide. Given the large quantities of nitrogen that leach from agricultural soils and the predominance of small streams in Midwestern agricultural landscapes, small streams may an important source of nitrous oxide.

In a study funded by the National Science Foundation, scientists from the University of Notre Dame measured nitrous oxide production rates in sediments collected from small streams across an agricultural land use gradient in southern Michigan. Results from the study were published in the March-April 2009 issue of the Journal of Environmental Quality and were presented in 2006 at the 49th Annual Meeting of the North American Benthological Society.

During 2004 through 2006, twelve streams were sampled approximately monthly each year. Sediment nitrous oxide production rates were measured using anoxic incubations in the laboratory. The study design allowed the researchers to assess spatial, seasonal, and inter-annual variation in nitrous oxide production rates.

The study revealed that nitrous oxide is frequently produced in the sediments of small streams and that production rates were best explained by stream water nitrate concentrations. The highest production rates were observed during the winter and spring of the second year of the study when snow melt and rain flushed nitrate into the streams resulting in elevated stream water nitrate concentrations.

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[tama]

1. Nitrogen fertilizers

are a complete hoax and allways were. Compost, organic mulch and peas, beans etc. that tie nitrogen from atmosphere to soil throug mycoriza bacteria give enough nitrogen for all purposes.

If you want to solve a real problem, solve the problem of potassium that is needed to raise pH to ideal, potassium that needs to be mined and transported with oil.