401-4Diffusion Limitation of Methane Oxidation in Soils Under Long Term No-till Management Practices.

See more from this Division: S06 Soil & Water Management & Conservation
See more from this Session: General Soil and Water Management and Conservation: II
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Duke Energy Convention Center, Exhibit Hall AB, Level 1

Prajaya Prajapati, Earth Sciences, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN and Pierre-Andre Jacinthe, Earth Sciences, Indiana University and Purdue University - Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN

Diffusion limitation of methane oxidation in soils under long term no-till management practices

Abstract

Long term adoption of no-till (NT) farming practices can improve the CH4 oxidation capacity of agricultural lands through creation of a favorable soil environment for methanotrophs, increased macro-porosity and better soil gas transport. However, there is still limited data to evaluate the merit of that contention. In addition, even though the potential for biological CH4 oxidation may exist in NT soils, restricted diffusion could limit expression of that potential in certain soil types. Therefore, both the biological and physical components of CH4 uptake must be determined. Using composite and intact cores from well-drained and poorly-drained sites, a study is being conducted to assess the CH4 oxidation potential and gaseous diffusivity of soils under NT and conventional plowing (MP) for > 50 years. Kinetic parameters (Vmax, Km) will be derived to infer the relative affinity of methanotrophs and express their overall activity. Results of this study will help address important questions regarding cropland management practices and climate change mitigation. 

See more from this Division: S06 Soil & Water Management & Conservation
See more from this Session: General Soil and Water Management and Conservation: II