A SIMPLE GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHIC APPROACH TO EVALUATE CO2 RELEASE, N2O EVOLUTION, AND O2 UPTAKE FROM SOIL

We have developed a simple method for the determination of gaseous compounds that reflect microbial activity in soil, as affected by factors such as the presence of an organic amendment (peat) or a variation in soil moisture. The method is based on a gas chromatographic analysis of the headspace of vials containing the soil under examination. A single gas chromatograph can detect up to 10 different gases. As expected, after peat was added to the soil, CO2 evolution and O2 uptake increased significantly. Positive relationships were found between the evolution of N2O, and soil moisture and the amount of peat added to the soil. Both the these variables influenced the CO2:O2 ratio. The results given by this method show high reproducibility.