Soil CO2 Release Research Articles

CO2FLUX MEASUREMENT USING SODA LIME: CORRECTION FOR WATER FORMED DURING CO2ADSORPTION

Terrestrial carbon budgets and models of ecosystem carbon cycling rely on accurate field measurements of CO2 release from soils. Despite limitations of accuracy that require the use of a calibration curve, the soda-lime technique has distinct advantages that have resulted in its continued use for in situ measurements of soil respiration. In this note I report an error in the correction factor used to account for water formed during chemical adsorption of CO2 by soda lime. The appropriate correction factor (1.69 in place of 1.41) implies that all previously reported CO2 fluxes using the soda-lime method should by increased by 20%. Recent global estimates of soil CO2 release have relied largely on soda-lime data and will require reevaluation in the light of this correction.

Measurement of bioactivity based on CO 2-release and ATP content in soils after different treatments

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content and carbon dioxide (CO 2) production in soil vary considerably, depending on soil type, water content, light, stirring of soil, storage conditions, date of sampling, and chemicals added. In most soils, the biomass calculated on the basis of ATP-content was in line with that calculated on the basis of CO 2-production.