Evaluation of a system of wind tunnels for field studies of ammonia loss from grassland through volatilisation

Abstract

AbstractRates of ammonia (NH3) loss from a ryegrass sward measured using a system of small wind tunnels were compared with concurrent measurements made using a micrometeorological mass balance method. Measurements were made during two experiments within a circular plot (radius 10m) treated with urea at a rate of 200kgNha−1. In the first experiment, air speed through the tunnels was adjusted as necessary to maintain a value of approximately 1ms−1. This value differed on most occasions from the mean ambient wind speed which was measured at a height of 250mm and which ranged from 0.61 to 2.95ms−1. Rates of loss measured using the wind tunnels differed by a factor of between two and five from those measured using the mass balance method; there was no consistent pattern in the differences between the rates of loss. The total losses of NH3 measured during 15 days were equivalent to 49.1 and 30.2kg Nha−1 for the mass balance and wind tunnel methods, respectively. In the second experiment, air speed through the tunnels was adjusted as necessary to maintain a value as close as possible to the mean ambient wind speed measured at a height of 250mm. Rates of NH3 loss measured using the two methods did not differ significantly; total losses of NH3 during 17 days were equivalent to 96.9 and 101kg Nha−1 for the mass balance and wind tunnel methods, respectively. The difference between the findings of the two experiments could be attributed to the direct effect of air speed through the tunnels rather than to differences between ambient temperatures and those inside the tunnels. During and following periods of rain the rates of loss measured using the tunnels were up to six times greater than those observed with the mass balance method. Rates of loss measured by the two methods became similar again when the tunnels were moved following rain. The study demonstrates that enclosures can be designed and operated to provide reliable measurements of the rate of NH3 loss from grassland. Potential applications of the two methods are discussed.