Open AccessNutrient Source and Tillage Effects on Maize: I. Micrometeorological Methods for Measuring Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Author(s) -
O'Dell Deb,
Eash Neal S.,
Hicks Bruce B.,
Zahn James A.,
Oetting Joel N.,
Sauer Thomas J.,
Lambert Dayton M.,
Logan Joanne,
Goddard John J.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
agrosystems, geosciences and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2639-6696
DOI - 10.2134/age2019.02.0008
Subject(s) - eddy covariance , bowen ratio , environmental science , atmospheric sciences , energy balance , flux (metallurgy) , aerodynamics , carbon dioxide , environmental engineering , agronomy , ecosystem , sensible heat , physics , ecology , chemistry , organic chemistry , biology , thermodynamics
Core Ideas Aerodynamic methods can be used to gap‐fill Bowen ratio energy balance micrometeorological measurements. Eddy covariance and Bowen ratio energy balance methods agree during turbulent daytime conditions. Measuring nighttime net ecosystem exchange is challenging using turbulence‐based micrometeorology.There is a need to understand the potential benefits of using the biotechnology waste by‐product from manufacturing as a fertilizer replacement in agriculture, by quantifying the economic value for the farmer and measuring the environmental impact. Measuring CO 2 emissions can be used to assess environmental impact, including three widely used micrometeorological methodologies: (i) the Bowen Ratio Energy Balance (BREB), (ii) aerodynamic flux‐gradient theory, and (iii) eddy covariance (EC). As a first step in quantifying benefits of applying biotechnology waste in agriculture, a detailed examination of these three methods was conducted to understand their effectiveness in quantifying CO 2 emissions for this specific circumstance. The study measured micrometeorological properties over a field planted to maize ( Zea mays L. var. indentata ), one plot treated with biotechnology waste applied as a nutrient amendment, and one plot treated with a typical farmer fertilizer practice. Carbon dioxide flux measurements took place over 1 yr, using both BREB and EC systems. The aerodynamic method was used to gap‐fill BREB system measurements, and those flux estimates were compared with estimates produced separately by the aerodynamic and EC methods. All methods found greater emissions over the biotechnology waste application. The aerodynamic method CO 2 flux estimates were considerably greater than both the EC and a combined BREB‐aerodynamic approach. During the day, the EC and BREB methods agree. At night, the aerodynamic approach detects and accounts for buildup of CO 2 at the surface during stable periods. The BREB systems combined with aerodynamic approaches provide alternate methods to EC in examining micrometeorological properties near the surface.