Abstract

$N_2O$ and $CH_4$, Greenhouse gas emission, Forest soil, Closed chamber technique, Soil uptake $N_2O$ and $CH_4$ are important greenhouse gases (GHG) along with $CO_2$ influencing greatly on climate change. Their soil emission rates are highly affected by bio-geo-chemical processes in C and N through the land-atmosphere interface. The forest ecosystems are generally considered to be net emission for $N_2O$; however, net sinks for $CH_4$ by soil uptake. Soil $N_2O$ and $CH_4$ emissions were measured at Mt. Taewha in Gwangju, Kyeonggi, Korea. Closed chamber technique was used for surface gas emissions from forest soil during period from May to October 2012. Gas emission measurement was conducted mostly on daytime (from 09:00 to 18:00 LST) during field experiment period (total 25 days). The gas samples collected from chamber for $N_2O$ and $CH_4$ were analyzed by gas chromatography. Soil parameters were also measured at the sampling plot. GHG averages emissions during the experimental period were $3.11{\pm}16.26{\mu}g m^{-2}hr^{-1}$ for $N_2O$, $-1.36{\pm}11.3{\mu}gm^{-2}hr^{-1}$ for $CH_4$, respectively. The results indicated that forest soil acted as a source of $N_2O$, while it acted like a sink of $CH_4$ on average. On monthly base, means of $N_2O$ and $CH_4$ flux during May (spring) were $8.38{\pm}48.7{\mu}gm^{-2}hr^{-1}$, and $-3.21{\pm}31.39{\mu}gm^{-2}hr^{-1}$, respectively. During August (summer) both GHG emissions were found to be positive (averages of $2.45{\pm}20.11{\mu}gm^{-2}hr^{-1}$ for $N_2O$ and $1.36{\pm}9.09{\mu}gm^{-2}hr^{-1}$ for $CH_4$); which they were generally released from soil. During September (fall) $N_2O$ and $CH_4$ soil uptakes were observed and their means were $-1.35{\pm}12.78{\mu}gm^{-2}hr^{-1}$ and $-2.56{\pm}11.73{\mu}gm^{-2}hr^{-1}$, respectively. $N_2O$ emission was relatively higher in spring rather than other seasons. This could be due to dry soil condition during spring experimental period. It seems that soil moisture and temperature mostly influence gas production and consumption, and then emission rate in subsoil environment. Other soil parameters like soil pH and chemical composition were also discussed with respect to GHG emissions.

Keywords

• $N_2O$ and $CH_4$;
• Greenhouse gas emission;
• Forest soil;
• Closed chamber technique;
• Soil uptake