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The influence of stochastic soil moisture dynamics on gaseous emissions of NO, N2O, and N2

Publication ,  Journal Article
Ridolfi, L; D'Odorico, P; Porporato, A; Rodriguez-Iturbe, I
Published in: Hydrological Sciences Journal
October 1, 2003

Even though the fundamental role played by nitrogen oxides in several important atmospheric processes is generally acknowledged, the understanding and quantitative evaluation of some mechanisms involved in the biogenic emission of N gases is still incomplete. Because of the number and variety of chemical, biological and physical processes involved, their mutual interaction and the strong nonlinearities, the dynamics of biogenic nitrogen oxide emission are complex and difficult to study. In this context, this study is centred on the link between soil water content and gaseous emissions of N2 and oxidized nitrogen gas, NO and N2O, from the ground. In particular, the study investigates how the probability distribution of soil moisture affects the distribution of the emission rate of nitrogen and nitrogen oxides when other limiting factors are absent. Some analytical tools are provided for the estimation of the steady-state probability density function of the emission rate. These tools are then used to investigate the influence of characteristics of rainfall regimes, plant transpiration, and soil texture on the emission process. It results that: (a) both frequency and depth of the storms strongly influence the shape and the moments of the probability density function of the emission rates; (b) higher values of plant transpiration favour nitric oxide emissions and give rise to higher variances in the emission rates; and (c) N2O emissions are greater in fine-textured soils than in coarser soils, while NO emissions are higher in coarser soils and can be very low in clayey soils where, instead, N2 emissions become significant.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Hydrological Sciences Journal

DOI

ISSN

0262-6667

Publication Date

October 1, 2003

Volume

48

Issue

5

Start / End Page

781 / 798

Related Subject Headings

  • Environmental Engineering
  • 4005 Civil engineering
  • 3709 Physical geography and environmental geoscience
  • 3707 Hydrology
  • 0907 Environmental Engineering
  • 0905 Civil Engineering
  • 0406 Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience
 

Citation

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Ridolfi, L., D’Odorico, P., Porporato, A., & Rodriguez-Iturbe, I. (2003). The influence of stochastic soil moisture dynamics on gaseous emissions of NO, N2O, and N2. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 48(5), 781–798. https://doi.org/10.1623/hysj.48.5.781.51451
Ridolfi, L., P. D’Odorico, A. Porporato, and I. Rodriguez-Iturbe. “The influence of stochastic soil moisture dynamics on gaseous emissions of NO, N2O, and N2.” Hydrological Sciences Journal 48, no. 5 (October 1, 2003): 781–98. https://doi.org/10.1623/hysj.48.5.781.51451.
Ridolfi L, D’Odorico P, Porporato A, Rodriguez-Iturbe I. The influence of stochastic soil moisture dynamics on gaseous emissions of NO, N2O, and N2. Hydrological Sciences Journal. 2003 Oct 1;48(5):781–98.
Ridolfi, L., et al. “The influence of stochastic soil moisture dynamics on gaseous emissions of NO, N2O, and N2.” Hydrological Sciences Journal, vol. 48, no. 5, Oct. 2003, pp. 781–98. Scopus, doi:10.1623/hysj.48.5.781.51451.
Ridolfi L, D’Odorico P, Porporato A, Rodriguez-Iturbe I. The influence of stochastic soil moisture dynamics on gaseous emissions of NO, N2O, and N2. Hydrological Sciences Journal. 2003 Oct 1;48(5):781–798.
Journal cover image

Published In

Hydrological Sciences Journal

DOI

ISSN

0262-6667

Publication Date

October 1, 2003

Volume

48

Issue

5

Start / End Page

781 / 798

Related Subject Headings

  • Environmental Engineering
  • 4005 Civil engineering
  • 3709 Physical geography and environmental geoscience
  • 3707 Hydrology
  • 0907 Environmental Engineering
  • 0905 Civil Engineering
  • 0406 Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience