Eddy covariance for quantifying trace gas fluxes from soils
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2014
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Working Paper
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yes
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Abstract
Soils are highly complex physical and biological systems, and hence measuring soil gas exchange fluxes with high accuracy and adequate spatial representativity remains a challenge. A technique which has become increasingly popular is the eddy covariance (EC) method. This method takes advantage of the fact that surface fluxes are5 mixed into the near-surface atmosphere via turbulence. As a consequence, measurement with an EC system can be done at some distance above the surface, providing accurate and spatially integrated flux density estimates. In this paper we provide a basic overview targeting at scientists who are not familiar with the EC method. This reviews gives examples of successful deployments from a wide variety of ecosystems. The pri-10 mary focus is on the three major greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O). Several limitations to the application of EC systems exist, requiring a careful experimental design, which we discuss in detail. Thereby we group these experiments into two main classes: (1) manipulative experiments, and (2) survey-type experiments. Recommendations and examples of successful studies15 using various approaches, including the combination of EC flux measurements with online measurements of stable isotopes are given. We conclude that EC should not be considered a substitution of traditional flux measurements, but an addition to the latter. The greatest strength of EC measurements in soil science are (1) their uninterrupted continuous measurement of gas concentrations and fluxes that also can capture short-20 term bursts of fluxes that easily could be missed by other methods; and (2) the spatial integration covering the ecosystem scale (several m² to ha), thereby integrating over small-scale heterogeneity in the soil.
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published
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1
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541 - 583
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Copernicus
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03648 - Buchmann, Nina / Buchmann, Nina
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Is new version of: https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000260955