Paul Weber

Exchange of NO and NO2 between wheat canopy monoliths and the atmosphere

The fluxes of NO and NO2 between wheat canopy monoliths and the atmosphere were investigated with the dynamic chamber technique. For this purpose monoliths were dug out at different plant growth stages from a field site, transported to the institute, and placed in an environmental growth chamber. The wheat canopy monoliths were exposed over a period of four days to the average ratios of atmospheric NO2 and NO measured at the field site, i.e. NO2 concentration of about 18 mL L-1 plus NO concentration lower than 0.5 nL L-1. Under these conditions NO emission into the atmosphere and NO2 deposition into canopy monoliths was observed. Both fluxes showed diurnal variation with maximum rates during the light and minimum rates during darkness. NO2 fluxes correlated with soil temperature as well as with light intensity. NO fluxes correlated with soil temperature but not with light intensity. From the investigation performed the diurnal variation of the NO and NO2 compensation points, the maximum rates of NO and NO2 emission, and the total resistances of NO and NO2 fluxes were calculated. Under the assumption that the measured data are representative for the whole vegetation period, annual fluxes of NO and NO2 were estimated. Annual NO emission into the atmosphere amounted to 87 mg N m-2 y-1 (0.87 kg ha-1 y-1), annual NO2 deposition into canopy monoliths amounted to 1273 mg N m-2 y-1 (12.73 kg ha-1 y-1). Apparently, the uptake of atmospheric nitrogen by the wheat field from NO2 deposition is about 15 times higher than the loss of nitrogen from NO emission. It can therefore be assumed that even in rural areas wheat fields are a considerable sink for atmospheric nitrogen. The annual sink strength estimated in the present study is ca. 12 kg N ha-1 y-1. The possible origin of the NO emitted and the fate of atmospheric NO2 taken up by the wheat canopy monoliths are discussed.