Infrared Gas Analyzer Research Articles

Long-term effect of soil management on the carbon-dioxide emission of the soil

CO2 emission from soils is one of the most important elements of the global carbon cycle, thus it has crucial rule in climate change. Each soil cultivation operation intervenes in the microbiological life of the soil, hence tillage is a factor through that the processes taking place in soil can be controlled. During the last decades, the organic material content of agricultural soils decreased to the half due to the intensive management resulting in the degradation of natural soil fertility. While intensive, plough-based tillage can cause soil degradation and erosion, the physical, chemical and biological status of the soil can be significantly improved through the application of conservation tillage methods. The results of long-term experiments prove that soil protective tillage enhances the enrichment of organic matter in the top layer of the soil. In order to reveal the role of tillage systems in CO2 emission from the soil, regular measurements were carried out in the plots with conventional and reduced tillage of the soil cultivation experiment of Research Institute of Karcag. Anagas CD 98 and Gas Alert Micro 5w infrared gas analysers were used to measure CO2-concentrations, and a specially developed method (consisting of a frame and a bowl) was applied to delimitate the measuring area. Most of the measurements were done on stubbles after harvest in order to exclude root respiration. The weather conditions of the examined 10 years were very changeable providing a good chance to compare them to each other. We found the tillage operations resulting in higher emission values in both tillage systems. On stubbles higher and more even emission was characteristic to reduced tillage due to the lower degree of soil disturbance and higher soil moisture content.

Variability in metabolic rate and gas exchange patterns of the Colorado potato beetle of winter and prolonged diapauses

AbstractWe compare standard metabolic rate (VCO2) and gas exchange patterns in the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) in winter diapause (i.e. lasting only one overwintering period) with those of beetles in prolonged diapause (i.e. diapause lasting 2 or 3 years). The length of diapause is estimated by the behaviour of the beetles: burrowing into soil as a sign of the beginning of diapause and emergence from the soil as the ending of diapause. Measurement with a flow‐through carbon dioxide (CO2) infrared gas analyzer reveals that most beetles in winter or prolonged diapause display distinct discontinuous gas exchange cycles at 23 °C. Beetles with cyclic gas exchange and continuous breathing do not survive the winter. Beetles in prolonged diapause are characterized by a three‐ to five‐fold lower standard metabolic rates, longer discontinuous gas exchange periods and shorter CO2 releases (open phase) than those in winter diapause.

Soil organic matter and CO2 fluxes in small tropical watersheds under forest and cacao agroforestry.

Annual estimates of CO2 and dissolved carbon concentrations in the soil profile provide valuable insight into the dynamics of organic matter in soil and the effect of changes to vegetation cover. The aim of this study was to observe the spatial influence of litter decomposition in the first few centimeters of the soil for CO2 fluxes and to describe the processing of soil organic matter throughout the soil profile by comparing three small tropical watersheds. Data were collected biweekly for six months, from December 2015 to May 2016. CO2 was measured using an infrared gas analyzer in fixed chambers and the dissolved carbon of soil solution was analyzed in a TOC analyzer. No differences were found in the total soil CO2 fluxes (control flux treatments) between the three study areas. In both cacao agroforestry systems (managed and unmanaged), total CO2 fluxes were influenced by the decomposition of litter. CO2 emissions in the soil profile of the cacao agroforestry systems were highly variable, compared to the preserved forest, and highly dependent on the soil characteristics attributed to the type of vegetation cover. Although a definite pattern between the temperature and soil moisture was not identified, these parameters showed a strong relationship in controlling the release of CO2 between treatments. The organic and inorganic dissolved carbon patterns in the soil solution of the three areas revealed different responses of soil organic matter processing related to soil characteristics and vegetation. The results confirm the hypothesis that the top of soils (total CO2 fluxes) of both cacao agroforestry systems (managed and unmanaged) emits fluxes of CO2, which do not differ statistically from the preserved forest. However, depending on the soil characteristics, the cacao agroforestry system can result in an accumulation of CO2 and dissolved inorganic carbon in the soil profile that is prone to being transported by hydrological routes to groundwater and stream water.

Soils act as sinks or sources of CH4 depending on air-filled porosity in sclerophyllous ecosystems in semiarid central Chile

Carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) are greenhouse gases (GHG), which sustained increase in the atmosphere contribute to global warming and climate change. The GHG fluxes of soils are strongly controlled by water content, temperature, plant and microbial communities and soil management. The Chilean sclerophyllous ecosystem is a global biodiversity hotspot historically and increasingly threatened by human activity. The aim of this study was to compare soil CH4 (and CO2) fluxes, under prevailing aerobic (dry hot summer) versus presumed partial anaerobic (wet winter) conditions, across a disturbance gradient in sclerophyllous ecosystems of central semiarid Chile. The CO2 fluxes were measured with an infrared gas analyzer (IRGA) while CH4 fluxes by gas chromatography using closed soil chambers. Soils were sources of CO2 (∼3.35 µmol CO2 m−2 s−1) drastically changing with vegetation and seasons. Soils were generally sinks of CH4 in summer (∼−3.75 nmol CH4 m−2 s−1) and sources in winter (∼+4.12 nmol CH4 m−2 s−1), which was mainly explained by air filled porosity. Modelled values showed that soils of the severely-disturbed A. caven savannah was overall a CH4 source (0.86 g CH4 m−2 year−1), while the strongly-disturbed thorn scrub (−0.56 g CH4 m−2 year−1) and the moderately-disturbed sclerophyllous forest (−2.68 g CH4 m−2 year−1) were sinks. Hence protecting sclerophyllous forests and restoring disturbed ecosystems may contribute to mitigate anthropogenic CH4 emissions.

Environmental parameters and tree physiology in two semiarid land use systems in Brazil

To determine if reduced tree densities (number of trees per unit area) lead to changes in micro-meteorological and tree physiological characteristics, two areas with different tree densities were assessed. One was an agrosilvopastoral system (AGP) with low tree density, and the other, a secondary forest (SF) with greater tree numbers, both located in a semiarid region of Brazil. Data were collected simultaneously by two automated weather stations: rainfall, air (Ta) and soil temperatures (Ts5cm), relative humidity (RHair), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), soil moisture at two depths (Ms30cm and Ms50cm), and wind velocity (Vw). Net photosynthesis in Cordia oncocalyx Allemao trees was measured with an infrared gas analyzer in February, March, May, July, August and September 2011, which encompasses a rainy period followed by a dry period. Average values of Ta, Ts5cm, Vw and PAR were greater and average values of RHair and Ms50cm were lesser in the AGP. Photosynthetic rates were greater in plants growing under the AGP at the onset of the dry season when Vw, PAR and Ts5cm were greater and Ms50cm was lesser. Photosynthetic rates correlated strongly with physical parameters during the dry season, especially under SF. Differences in tree numbers between AGP and SF led to differences in physical environmental parameters; however, the latter had less influence on photosynthetic rates in C. oncocalyx during the rainy season. During the dry season, all physical parameters had an impact on net photosynthesis under SF but not under AGP. This indicates a certain independence of plants in AGP.

The influence of trees, shrubs, and grasses on microclimate, soil carbon, nitrogen, and CO2 efflux: Potential implications of shrub encroachment for Kalahari rangelands

AbstractShrub encroachment is a well‐documented phenomenon affecting many of the world's drylands. The alteration of vegetation structure and species composition can lead to changes in local microclimate and soil properties which in turn affect carbon cycling. The objectives of this paper were to quantify differences in air temperatures, soil carbon, nitrogen, and CO2 efflux under trees (Vachellia erioloba), shrubs (Grewia flava), and annual and perennial grasses (Schmidtia kalahariensis and Eragrostis lehmanniana) collected over three seasons at a site in Kgalagadi District, Botswana, in order to determine the vegetation‐soil feedback mechanism affecting the carbon cycle. Air temperatures were logged continuously, and soil CO2 efflux was determined throughout the day and evening using closed respiration chambers and an infrared gas analyser. There were significant differences in soil carbon, total nitrogen, CO2 efflux, light, and temperatures beneath the canopies of trees, shrubs, and grasses. Daytime air temperatures beneath shrubs and trees were cooler compared with grass sites, particularly in summer months. Night‐time air temperatures under shrubs and trees were, however, warmer than at the grass sites. There was also significantly more soil carbon, nitrogen, and CO2 efflux under shrubs and trees compared with grasses. Although the differences observed in soils and microclimate may reinforce the competitive dominance of shrubs and present challenges to strategies designed to manage encroachment, they should not be viewed as entirely negative. Our findings highlight some of the dichotomies and challenges to be addressed before interventions aiming to bring about more sustainable land management can be implemented.

Reduction Behavior of Dolomite-Fluxed Magnetite: Coke Composite Pellets at 1573\xa0K (1300\xa0\xb0C)

High-temperature behavior of magnetite—coke composite pellet fluxed with dolomite was investigated by customized thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) at 1573 K (1300 °C). The overall reaction was influenced by C/O ratio and dolomite content. The reduction was accelerated by increased amount of dolomite, while the samples with higher C/O ratio showed the improved reduction degree. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of reduced pellet showed the phase changes of the iron oxides. Noticeable iron peaks were observed when the sample reached the final stage of reduction. CO and CO2 gases released from the reaction were measured by Infrared (IR) gas analyzer. Relation between enhanced reducibility of pellets and larger CO gas evolution from the Boudouard reaction was confirmed from the analysis. Compressive strengths were studied for the practical assessment of reduced pellets. Samples with low-reduction degree showed better physical property. Excessive amount of dolomite also deteriorated the integrity of pellets.

Study on the change of organic sulfur forms in coal during low-temperature oxidation process

Organic sulfur functional groups in coal not only have certain oxidation characteristics at low temperature and but also can break to produce free radicals, which is bound to have a considerable effect on coal spontaneous combustion. However, this area has not been reported yet. There are relatively few studies on variation laws of organic sulfur functional groups in coal in the coal spontaneous combustion process (especially low-temperature oxidation stage), and the release of SO2, the gaseous product of organic sulfur during the low-temperature oxidation, is also rarely reported. Therefore, it is necessary to systematically obtain the change laws of organic sulfur forms in coal during low-temperature oxidation. In this paper, the morphological changes of organic sulfur in coal during low-temperature oxidation were studied first, and then the changes of organic sulfur forms in coal before and after low-temperature oxidation and the release of the low-temperature oxidation product SO2 were studied by using the X-ray photon spectroscopy (XPS) technique and the XLZ-1090 infrared gas analyzer. The XPS analysis results show that the relative contents of mercaptan and sulfide are reduced; the content of thiophene sulfur decreases slightly or remains unchanged; and the contents of sulfone, sulfonate and sulfate all increase. This verifies that the low-temperature oxidation process of active organic sulfur functional groups in coal is: sulfide → sulfoxide → sulfone, mercaptan → disulphide → sulfoxide → sulfone → sulfonic acid. The study reveals that the release of gaseous SO2 is not detected during the low-temperature oxidation of the raw coal samples, whereas it is detected during the low-temperature oxidation of the acid-treated coal samples. This is because the acid treatment can remove alkaline minerals in coal, weakens the inhibitory effect of alkaline minerals on SO2 and enable SO2 to escape almost completely. In addition, the study also discovers that the time and amount of SO2 gas release during the low-temperature oxidation process are directly related to the metamorphic degree and organic sulfur content of coal.

Gas exchange, leaf and root dry mass in Bell Pepper under fertigation with nitrogen and potassium

Bell pepper is a vegetable-fruit of great economic importance in Brazil. Crop production demands adequate water supply, nutrients, and light. The objective of this study was to evaluate gas exchange (net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, internal carbon concentration and instantaneous carboxylation efficiency) and dry mass accumulation in leaves and roots under fertigation with nitrogen and potassium. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design in a factorial scheme (4 × 4) with four replications and a total of 64 experimental units. Treatments consisted of a combination of four nitrogen doses (0; 73.4; 146.8 and 293.6 kg ha-1 of N) with four doses of potassium (0; 53.3; 106.7 and 213.4 kg ha-1 of K). An infrared gas analyzer (IRGA) coupled with a light source (irradiation of 600 µmol m-2 s-1) was used for the evaluation of gas exchange. There was a significant interactive effect of N and K on net photosynthesis and leaf and root dry mass. Root dry mass was the variable that best expressed this interaction. Physiological variables measured were more responsive to nitrogen fertilization than to K fertilization. The optimum values of stomatal conductance, transpiration, internal carbon concentration and carboxylation efficiency were obtained with the application of nitrogen doses between 147 and 294 kg ha-1.

Irradiance availability and growth of leguminous trees of cerrado

We evaluated photosynthetic performance, growth, and biomass partitioning in tree species Anadenanthera falcata and Stryphnodendron adstringens growing under full solar irradiance and in the shade equivalent to that found in understory of the Cerradao physiognomy. The study was conducted free of water stress by watering, in Sao Carlos, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, until 1140 days after sowing (DAS). We obtained irradiance and leaf gas exchange data with a portable infrared gas analyzer. In the sunny area, both species presented higher respiration in the dark, light saturation point, regular and potential photosynthetic capacity and higher apparent carboxylation efficiency. Besides, under full solar irradiance, the total biomass, leaf area, height, stem diameter, and the total number of leaflets were significantly (p<0.05) higher at 240, 360, and 570 DAS. S. adstringens did not survive in the shade after 1140 DAS, while A. falcata showed a survival of 100% under both irradiance regimes. The irradiance attenuation in dense physiognomies of cerrado vegetation, as that found in Cerradao, affected several levels of plant organization since early growth. Our results highlighted how natural irradiance availability in Cerrado vegetation determined per se the carbon balance, the development and the survival of tree species.

Seasonal and Daily Dynamics of the CO2 Emission from Soils of Pinus koraiensis Forests in the South of the Sikhote-Alin Range

The presented study shows the results of measuring soil respiration in typical burozems (Dystric Cambisols) under mixed Korean pine–broadleaved forests in the southern part of the Primorskii (Far East) region of Russia growing under conditions of monsoon climate. The measurements were performed in 2014–2016 by the chamber method with the use of a portable infrared gas analyzer. Relative and total values of the CO2 efflux from the soil surface on four model plots were determined. The intensity of summer emission varied from 2.25 to 10.97 μmol/(m2 s), and the total CO2 efflux from the soils of four plots varied from 18.84 to 25.56 mol/m2. It is shown that a larger part of seasonal variability in the soil respiration is controlled by the soil temperature (R2 = 0.5–0.7); the soil water content also has a significant influence on the CO2 emission determining about 10% of its temporal variability. The daily dynamics of soil respiration under the old-age (200 yrs) forest have a significant relationship with the soil temperature (R2 = 0.51). The pyrogenic transformation of Pinus koraiensis forests into low-value oak forests is accompanied by an increase in the СО2 efflux from the soil.

Two-step pre-processing enrichment of waste printed circuit boards: Mechanical milling and physical separation

Abstract Printed circuit boards (PCBs), one of the most complex components of e-waste, contain different metallic and non-metallic components. Recycling of waste PCBs is an important issue, from both aspects of hazardous waste management and recovery of valuable materials. In this study, for the first time, a mechanical-physical separation method for recovery of metallic elements of waste PCBs without any chemical or/and thermal processes was introduced. Two milling stages were applied to enhance the liberation degree, followed by a physical flotation process for enrichment. Based on the elemental analysis, the total metal concentration increased by 75% after the second milling in coarser particle size classifications and ceramic components has decreased significantly. Phase identification techniques confirmed that the ceramic portion is mainly CaO+SiO2+Al2O3, which generally exist inside the boards as glass fibres. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra 3 nominees of phenoxy resin, poly vinyl acetate and vinyl chloride were suggested as the major polymer content of the crushed waste PCBs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated higher degree of liberation in the higher meshes for metallic and non-metallic components but it was lower for fibre glasses. The thermal pyrolysis using infrared gas analyser proved that the most volatile substances are not simple greenhouse gases such as CO, CO2 and CH4. Eventually, beneficiation using bromoform + acetone resulted in two phases of high density (sunk) and low density (float), in which the former one was enriched in metals excluding Al and Sn, and the latter one was almost depleted from metals.

Gas exchange in young Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. Ex A. Juss.) Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) plants in Antioquia (Colombia)

The aim of this study was to determine the behavior of the rubber plant Hevea brasiliensis regarding its photosynthetic performance in the rubber producer regions in Nordeste and Bajo Cauca, in the department of Antioquia, Colombia, as a baseline for future clonal performance studies among environments. Gas exchange was recorded using a portable infrared gas analyzer, and for the photosynthetic parameters for seven genotypes (clones) a medium value was calculated and was later used to estimate the area under the curve. The maximum photosynthetic value was reached at 8:00 hours in San Roque (10.97 µmol [CO2] m-2s-1) and at 9:00 hours in Caucasia (7.84 µmol [CO2] m-2s-1). Maximum transpiration was 3.55 mmol [H2O] m-2s-1 in San Roque and 5.16 mmol [H2O] m-2s-1 in Caucasia, while the maximum stomatal conductance was 0.18 mol [CO2] m-2s-1 and 0.16 mol [CO2] m-2s-1 in San Roque and Caucasia, respectively. The rubber plants in Caucasia had a higher accumulated net assimilation rate (271,934 µmol [CO2] m-2day-1) than what was found in San Roque (226,287 µmol [CO2] m-2day-1), showing a difference of 45.647,52 µmol [CO2] m-2day-1. The highest carbon accumulation with the lowest light energy investment (697,638 µmol [CO2] µmol [photon]-1day1) was found in San Roque. Therefore, regarding gas exchange and the use of light energy Hevea brasiliensis showed greater environmental adaptation in San Roque.

Plant community changes after land abandonment control CO2 balance in a dry environment

Human activities can dramatically alter natural plant communities which, after disturbance cessation, undergo secondary succession. In arid environments plant succession is quite slow, and its link to the carbon (C) cycle is not well known. We assessed changes in C balance on a semiarid plant community along a chronosequence spanning ca. 100 years after land abandonment in an arid environment in SE Spain to examine temporal changes in C following human disturbance. We selected 5 individuals of the dominant plant species along five plant community stages differing in the time since land abandonment occurred, and we used a closed-chamber infrared gas analyzer method to estimate the contribution of whole plants and bare soil to community C exchange. We estimated CO2 fluxes for each plant community stage and calculated temporal differences along the chronosequence. Plant community composition and plant cover changed throughout the chronosequence. Carbon balance was related to changes in plant photosynthesis and plant and soil respiration along the chronosequence. Overall, community C exchange shifted from source to sink as plant colonization progressed. It took 65 years for the system to recover the equivalent C sink capacity of the undisturbed site. Recovery of arid plant communities after land abandonment may enhance long-term C sequestration and significantly contribute to C balance at the global level.

The Impact of Diesel Oil Pollution on the Hydrophobicity and CO2 Efflux of Forest Soils

The contamination of soil with petroleum products is a major environmental problem. Petroleum products are common soil contaminants as a result of human activities, and they are causing substantial changes in the biological (particularly microbiological) processes, chemical composition, structure and physical properties of soil. The main objective of this study was to assess the impact of soil moisture on CO2 efflux from diesel-contaminated albic podzol soils. Two contamination treatments (3000 and 9000 mg of diesel oil per kg of soil) were prepared for four horizons from two forest study sites with different initial levels of soil water repellency. CO2 emissions were measured using a portable infrared gas analyser (LCpro+, ADC BioScientific, UK) while the soil samples were drying under laboratory conditions (from saturation to air-dry). The assessment of soil water repellency was performed using the water drop penetration time test. An analysis of variance (ANVOA) was conducted for the CO2 efflux data. The obtained results show that CO2 efflux from diesel-contaminated soils is higher than efflux from uncontaminated soils. The initially water-repellent soils were found to have a bigger CO2 efflux. The non-linear relationship between soil moisture content and CO2 efflux only existed for the upper soil horizons, while for deeper soil horizons, the efflux is practically independent of soil moisture content. The contamination of soil by diesel leads to increased soil water repellency.

Short Term CO2 Enrichment Increases Carbon Sequestration of Air-Exposed Intertidal Communities of a Coastal Lagoon

In-situ production responses of air-exposed intertidal communities under CO2 enrichment are reported here for the first time. We assessed the short-term effects of CO2 on the light responses of the net community production (NCP) and community respiration (CR) of intertidal Z. noltei and unvegetated sediment communities of Ria Formosa lagoon, when exposed to air. NCP and CR were measured in-situ in summer and winter, under present and CO2 enriched conditions using benthic chambers. Within chamber CO2 evolution measurements were carried out by a series of short-term incubations (30 min) using an infra-red gas analyser. Liner regression models fitted to the NCP-irradiance responses were used to estimate the seasonal budgets of air-exposed, intertidal production as determined by the daily and seasonal variation of incident photosynthetic active radiation. High CO2 resulted in higher CO2 sequestration by both communities in both summer and winter seasons. Lower respiration rates of both communities under high CO2 further contributed to a potential negative climate feedback, except in winter when the CR of sediment community was higher. The light compensation points (light intensity where production equals respiration) of Z. noltei and sediment communities also decreased under CO2 enriched conditions in both seasons. The seasonal community production of Z. noltei was 115.54 ± 7.58 g C m-2 season-1 in summer and 29.45 ± 4.04 g C m-2 season-1 in winter and of unvegetated sediment was 91.28± 6.32 g C m-2 season-1 in summer and 25.83± 4.01 g C m-2 season-1 in winter under CO2 enriched conditions. Future CO2 conditions may increase air-exposed seagrass production by about 1.5-fold and unvegetated sediments by about 1.2 fold.I

Soil CO2 Efflux Measurements by Alkali Absorption and Infrared Gas Analyzer in the Brazilian Semiarid Region

ABSTRACT The CO2 emission from the soil surface, commonly referred to as soil CO2 efflux (ECO2) or soil respiration, is the sum of processes that include root respiration and microbial activity. Measuring this evolution is important to establish sustainable land use models and to estimate global fluxes of carbon, which affect climate change. Despite its importance, few measurements have been made in areas of the semiarid Brazilian Northeast region, and most of them were made using the alkali absorption method [...]

Relationship among Different Soil Biochemical Methods to Determine Soil Health

Numerous soil biochemical methods are used to determine the soil health status, but the relationships among these methods are not well understood. Relationships among soil biochemical tests, 1) chloroform fumigated microbial biomass C (CFMBC), 2) permanganate oxidizable C (POXC), 3) Solvita CO2-burst (Solvita), 4) Solvita labile amino nitrogen (SLAN), and short-term soil CO2 efflux during laboratory incubation using (v) Alkali-base trap (Alkali) and (vi) infrared gas analyzer (IRGA), were evaluated for nine agricultural soils collected across the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota, USA. Not a single test is comprehensive to relate with all soil biochemical tests. Coefficient of variation percentage for particular method varied with soil type. Among six tests, CFMBC is significantly (p < 0.05) related with Alkali (r = 0.37), Solvita (r = 0.57), SLAN (r = 0.52), and POXC (r = 0.68). Soil CFMBC correlates with most of soil biochemical tests and can be potential to determine soil biochemical condition.

Photosynthetic performance of contrasting Jatropha curcas genotypes during the flowering and fruiting stages

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate physiological processes in contrasting physic nut (Jatropha curcas) genotypes during the flowering and fruiting stages. Gas exchange parameters were measured using an infrared gas analyzer, and morphological traits were evaluated during each stage under natural conditions, in a randomized complete block design with five replicates. Differences in yield between J. curcas accessions were not related to photosynthetic performance, but rather to the number of inflorescences and female flowers, which are genetically determined. Moreover, the net CO2 assimilation was equivalent in both genotypes, although they produced different amount of fruit. The genotypes differed consistently in terms of carboxylation efficiency and ribulose bisphosphate regeneration. Finally, J. curcas branch growth is not impaired by the increased sink strength during fruiting, and fruit may have been actually exerting a positive effect on the net CO2 assimilation, which may have enabled plants to maintain growth while producing flowers and fruits.

Photosynthetic Gas Exchange in Land Plants at the Leaf Level.

Leaf-level gas exchange enables insights into the physiology and in vivo biochemical processes of plants. Advances in infrared gas analysis have resulted in user-friendly off-the-shelf gas exchange systems that allow researchers to collect physiological measurements with the push of a few buttons. Here, I describe how to set up the gas exchange equipment and what to pay attention to while making measurements, and provide some guidelines on how to analyze and interpret the data obtained.