Browsing by Subject "Kohlendioxidemission"

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Carbon and nitrogen transformations in alpine ecosystems of the Eastern Alps, Austria
(2007) Koch, Oliver; Kandeler, Ellen
This thesis investigated net CH4 and net CO2 emissions from sites in the alpine region of the Eastern Alps, Austria. Four mature alpine sites (one dry meadow and three fen sites) were selected and the influence of abiotic (radiation, temperature, soil water conditions) and biotic (above-ground standing plant biomass) environmental controls on diurnal and seasonal emission patterns were studied. For a better understanding of the response of soil C- and N pools to global warming, the temperature sensitivity of activities involved in C- and N cycling were determined. The first part of the thesis dealt with net methane fluxes measured over a period of 24 months. During snow-free periods, average methane emissions of the fen sites ranged between 19 and 116 mg CH4 m-2 d-1. Mean emissions during snow periods were much lower, being 18 to 59% of annual fluxes. The alpine dry meadow functioned as a small methane sink during snow-free periods (-2.1 mg CH4 m-2 d-1 (2003); -1.0 mg CH4 m-2 d-1 (2004)). The diurnal and seasonal methane uptake of the dry meadow was positively related to soil temperature and negatively related to water-filled pore space (wfps). In the fen, the seasonal methane fluxes were related to soil temperature and groundwater table. The live above-ground standing plant biomass contributed to net methane fluxes only at those sites with higher water table positions. This study provided evidence that alpine fens acted as methane sources throughout the year, whereas an alpine meadow site acted as a net methane sink during snow-free periods. In the second part of the thesis the CO2 balance was estimated based on diurnal flux measurements and on the influence of photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), plant green area index (GAI), soil temperature and wfps. The daylight net ecosystem CO2 emission rate was influenced by PAR and GAI throughout snow-free seasons. The seasonal net CO2 emission rate at night was positively related to soil temperature, while low wfps reduced flux rates at the meadow and at the driest fen study site but reinforced carbon loss at the wetter fen sites. The daily average ecosystem net CO2 gain during snow-free periods at the meadow was 3.5 g CO2 m-2 d-1 and at the fen sites between 1.5 and 3.4 g CO2 m-2 d-1. The mean average daily CO2 emission during snow periods was low, being -0.9 g CO2 m-2 d-1 for the meadow and between -0.2 and -0.7 g CO2 m-2 d-1 for all fen sites. All sites function as significant annual net carbon sinks, with a net carbon gain from 50 to 121 g C m-2 a-1 (averaged over both years), irrespective of water balance. The results indicate that alpine fen sites, that have built up a large carbon stock in the past, are not expected to gain a further carbon surplus compared with meadows under the current climate. Temperature is important for regulating biological activities. The third part of the thesis focused on temperature sensitivity of soil C mineralization, N mineralization and potential enzyme activities involved in the C- and N cycle (ß-glucosidase, ß-xylosidase, N-acetyl-ß-glucosaminidase, tyrosine aminopeptidase, leucine aminopeptidase) over a temperature range of 0-30°C. The objective was to calculate Q10 values and relative temperature sensitivities (RTS) and to quantify seasonal (summer, autumn, winter) and site-specific factors. The Q10 values of C mineralization were significantly higher (average 2.0) than for N mineralization (average 1.7). The Q10 values of both activities were significantly negatively related to soil organic matter quality. In contrast, the chemical soil properties, microbial biomass and sampling date did not influence Q10 values. Analysis of RTS showed that the temperature sensitivity increased with decreasing temperature. The C- and N mineralization and potential aminopeptidase activities (tyrosine, leucine) showed an almost constant temperature dependence over 0-30°C. In contrast, ß-glucosidase, ß-xylosidase and N-acetyl-ß-glucosaminidase showed a distinctive increase in temperature sensitivity with decreasing temperature. Low temperature at the winter sampling date caused a greater increase in the RTS of all activities than in autumn and summer. Our results indicate a disproportion of the RTS for potential enzyme activities of the C- and N cycle and a disproportion of the RTS for easily degradable C compounds (ß-glucose, ß-xylose) compared with the C mineralization of soil organic matter. Thus, temperature may play an important role in regulating the decay of different soil organic matter fractions.
Einfluss von Phosphatmangel und erhöhter atmosphärischer CO2-Konzentration auf die Wurzelexsudation und ihre Auswirkungen auf Mobilisierung und Aufnahme von Schwermetallen durch verschiedene Lupinenarten und Tomate
(2011) Kawanishi, Ayumi; Römheld, Volker
There is an increasing awareness of a contamination of the food chain by toxic heavy metals as consequence of anthropogenic induced pollution of the environment since the industrialization in the 18. century. In addition the CO2 concentration might promote the biomass formation of plants and thus, via an increased allocation of photo-assimilates into the roots, chemical changes in the rhizosphere. These changes can promote mobility and uptake of various heavy metals by crop plants, too. Therefore it was the main objective of this Ph.D. research, to study the possible consequences of such observed increase in the atmospheric CO2 concentration on the intensification of the rhizosphere chemistry on the uptake of heavy metals by selected plant species in continuation of the research work by Egle (2003) at the University Göttingen. As plant species various lupinus species and tomato were chosen, which differ in principle in their reaction to a low phosphate nutritional status such as root growth characteristics and secretion of protons and carboxylates. As approach two nutrient solution experiments (Chapter 4 and 5) and a soil experiment with heavy metal polluted soils (Chapter 6) were conducted. In both nutrient solution experiments the well-described root-induced changes such as proton and carboxylate release could be confirmed, which were intensified at higher atmospheric CO2 concentrations (Chapter 4 and 5). Surprisingly the detected increase in proton (tomato) and caboxylate release (particularly by white lupin) with a simultaneously increased mobility of Cu and Cd in the soil did not result in an increased concentration of heavy metals in roots and shoots of the growth experimental plants. The unexpected finding in chapter 6 were discussed in the outlook of chapter 6 (6.7) and a repetition of this experiment with consideration of the discussed aspects is urgently recommended.
Function and composition of the soil microbial community in calcareous grassland exposed to elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide
(2003) Ebersberger, Diana; Kandeler, Ellen
Terrestrial ecosystems generally respond to rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations with increased net primary productivity and increased water use efficiency. This may change the amount and quality of organic substances entering the soil and fuelling microbial metabolism. Soil microorganisms and their activity might also be affected by increased soil moisture at elevated CO2. This thesis was designed to analyse the response of the soil microbial community in a species-rich calcareous grassland in the Swiss Jura Mountains, which had been exposed to ambient and elevated CO2 concentrations (365 and 600 ppm) for six growing seasons. In the first study, laboratory incubation experiments were conducted to explore the relationship between litter quality under elevated carbon dioxide and enzymes involved in carbon cycling. Naturally senescent, mixed litter from the long-term field experiment was incubated with soil material for 10, 30 and 60 days. Soil samples were then obtained close to the litter layer using a microtome cutting device. Litter and soil samples were analysed for invertase and xylanase activity. The lower litter quality produced under elevated CO2, i.e. wider C/N ratio, yielded lower invertase and xylanase activities of litter. Litter addition stimulated activities in adjacent soil. Invertase activities of adjacent soil were not affected by litter quality, while soil xylanase activity was higher in soil compartments adjacent to litter from elevated CO2 plots. The reduced enzyme activities of litter produced under elevated CO2 can slow decomposition, at least during the initial stages. Since the effects of litter quality on enzyme activities in adjacent soil were small, we conclude that CO2-induced belowground C-inputs (e.g. increased root mass) and altered moisture conditions are more important controls of enzyme activities than altered litter quality. In the second study, functional diversity of the soil microbial community was assessed by analysing N-mineralisation and activities of enzymes of the C-, N-, P- and S-cycle of soil samples taken in spring and summer 1999, in the 6th season of CO2 exposure. In spring, N-mineralisation increased significantly by 30% at elevated CO2, while there was no significant difference between treatments in summer. The response of soil enzymes to CO2 enrichment was also more pronounced in spring, when alkaline phosphatase and urease activities were increased most strongly, by 32% and 21%, respectively. In summer, activity differences between CO2 treatments were greatest in the case of urease and protease (+21% and +17% at elevated CO2). The significant stimulation of N-mineralisation and enzyme activities at elevated CO2 was probably caused by higher soil moisture and/or increased root biomass. In the third study, soil microbial community structure of soil samples taken in spring and summer 1999 was analysed by means of PLFA profiles and 16S rDNA fingerprints obtained by PCR-DGGE. PLFA profiles were not affected by elevated CO2. Ordination analysis of DNA fingerprints revealed a significant relation between CO2 enrichment and variation in DNA fingerprints. This variation must be attributed to low intensity bands because dominant bands did not differ between treatments. Diversity of the bacterial community (number of bands in DNA fingerprints and Shannon indices) was not affected. The observed minute, but significant changes in the structure of the soil bacterial community might be caused by changes in the quality of rhizodeposits at elevated CO2. These could either result from altered rhizodeposition of individual plants or from altered species composition of the calcareous grassland.The 4th part of the thesis compiles data on soil microorganisms, soil fauna, soil structure and nitrogen cycle of calcareous grassland after CO2 exposure for six growing seasons. Microbial biomass, soil basal respiration and the metabolic quotient were not altered significantly. PLFA analysis revealed no significant shift in the ratio of fungi to bacteria. Protozoans, bacterivorous and fungivorous nematodes, acarians, collembolans, and root-feeding nematodes were not affected by elevated CO2. Total nematode numbers averaged slightly lower (-16%) and nematode mass was significantly reduced (by 43%) due to fewer large-diameter nematodes classified as omnivorous and predacious. CO2 exposure resulted in a shift towards smaller aggregate sizes; this was caused by higher soil moisture. Reduced aggregate sizes result in reduced pore neck diameters. This can confine the locomotion of large-diameter nematodes and possibly accounts for their decrease. The CO2 enrichment also affected the nitrogen cycle. N stocks in living plants and surface litter increased, but N in soil organic matter and microorganisms remained unaltered. N mineralisation increased considerably, but microbial N did not differ between treatments, indicating that net N immobilization rates were unaltered.
Kraftstoffverbrauch beim Einsatz von Ackerschleppern im besonderen Hinblick auf die CO2-Emissionen
(2006) Schreiber, Matthias; Kutzbach, Heinz Dieter
Agricultural tractors are currently almost exclusively driven by diesel engines. By rising fuel prices and growing ecological awareness concerning CO2-emissions and preservation of fossil fuel resources the importance of fuel consumption has been increasing. Generally, the substitution of diesel by alternative fuel based on vegetable oil is possible, however the potential for the substitution is limited by the scarcity of agricultural farmland and categorized as low. The cost savings are not very big due to higher fuel consumption with bio fuel. Therefore, only the reduction of fuel consumption for different agricultural operations and if applicable the reorganisation of the production chains can contribute to a sustained reduction of fuel consumption and costs. In this thesis the basic influencing factors on fuel consumption of tractors are shown. Field tests are only of limited usefulness for the examination of single influencing variables. For those studies a model had to be developed. The presented model is based on the status of science concerning engine and transmission performances as well as tractive performance for agricultural tractors and is combined with the ASAE-Standard 497.4-model for the tractive force needed to pull the implement. As existing tyre-soil-models are only of limited use to predict tractive performance in the field and to deliver these values to the tractor model, an independent traction prediction model was developed. It is based on empirical equations, which were parameterized on the basis of numerous field tests. Furthermore, the influence of the fuel consumption for turning over in the headlands and for transportation work were investigated and considered in the model. The new model was implemented into the software Matlab to determine fuel consumption for different agricultural work and defined parameter variations. The calculated values were compared to the results of field tests with a special equipped tractor at the University of Hohenheim to validate the model. The model was used to investigate the influence of numerous influencing parameters, the effect on fuel consumption was shown and optimization strategies were developed. The saving potential by the optimization of the working process is up to 30 % for different implements, depending on the current state. For this purpose the tractive efficiency must be maximized by the correct weight of the tractor and the correct tyres, tractor and implement must be adjusted ideal, four wheel drive and differential locks must be used if necessary and the transmission ratio must be chosen to run the engine close to the optimum working point with the optimum engine load. Besides the process optimisation it is important to deliver standard values for the fuel consumption for different working operations and production chains for the practical use. For the presented model a large number of parameters has to be determined, thus it is of limited use to calculate standard values. Furthermore, it is too accurate for those calculations. Therefore, the model was used to obtain simplified equations for a quick and simple calculation of fuel consumption values, considering the major criteria of engine, transmission and tractive performance of the tractor as the drawbar pull and the needed PTO-power of the implement. On the basis of these equations, implemented into Microsoft Excel, the required standard values for fuel consumption can be calculated for different tractors with implements of different size and defined soil conditions. However, the required data of some implements are not complete. For the most important agricultural implements these parameters were determined by measurements or collected from KTBL- or FAT-values. The results for different operations and production chains are correlating well with values measured in the field. The effect of the field size or the distance between field and the farm yard on fuel consumption can be shown as well. The saving potential by changing the whole production chain (like zero tillage) is enormous, however, there are horticultural and economical external effects. As those economical effects can hardly be estimated, the conversion of the production chain has to be reviewed for the individual case. In the future the importance of fuel consumption will increase. Different saving strategies will gain in importance in order to optimize agricultural operations with respect to fuel consumption. The approach of this thesis can be used to show saving potentials, to develop optimization strategies and to calculate values for the fuel consumption of different agricultural operations.
Kyoto and the carbon content of trade
(2010) Felbermayr, Gabriel; Aichele, Rachel
A unilateral tax on CO2 emissions may drive up indirect carbon imports from non-committed countries, leading to carbon leakage. Using a gravity model of carbon trade, we analyze the effect of the Kyoto Protocol on the carbon content of bilateral trade. We construct a novel data set of CO2 emissions embodied in bilateral trade flows. Its panel structure allows dealing with endogenous selection of countries into the Protocol. We find strong statistical evidence for Kyoto commitments to affect carbon trade. On average, the Kyoto protocol led to substantial carbon leakage but its total effect on carbon trade was only minor.
Potentialbewertung effizienzsteigernder Technologien bei Landmaschinen in Verfahrensketten mit Körnerfruchternte
(2023) Meiners, Arwid Steffen
Reducing fuel consumption in agricultural process chains through increased energy efficiency in machine use is effectively achieved through process-oriented approaches. Although European targets for greenhouse gas reduction are increasingly being demanded legislatively and socially, the farmer’s pressure to act is primarily motivated intrinsically due to economic constraints. There are technologies existing on the market that contribute to increasing machine and process efficiency. To this day, however, it is difficult to evaluate their economic use on a farm-specific basis before deciding on investments. The complexity of agricultural process chains encourages and demands comprehensive approaches for both the use and the evaluation of efficiency-increasing technologies and measures. The objective of this research is to develope and apply a proper evaluation method. As a virtual evaluation environment, a machine model is created which can be used to calculate time-related fuel consumption of agricultural machine combinations under the influence of efficiency-increasing technologies. Supplemented by a process model, the consumption of individual process chains and entire crop rotations can be simulated. A modular model topology allows flexible combinations of tractors and implements for process chains with grain crop production. Corresponding simulation models are built and parametrised. The focus is on developing a model for self-propelled harvesters and on parameterising it for application as a combine harvester. As a data basis for the process components, load and performance data are collected in field tests using a state-of-the-art hybrid combine harvester. At the same time this contributes to the general data availability of performance requirements of process components in harvesting operations. In the model application, a potential evaluation of efficiency-increasing technologies and measures, such as optimised traction conditions, driving strategies or reduced intensities in tillage and harvesting, is carried out on a virtual model farm representing typical process chains with grain crop production in the region of South Hanover. Optimisation potentials for three- and five-part crop rotations are established along the individual process steps. Specific recommendations from individual technology analyses are made for efficient use of the machinery in use. As an overall assessment, a potential for reducing fuel consumption of about 26% resulting from optimised machine efficiency can be identified.
Reaktionen einer Weizen-Wildkraut Gemeinschaft auf erhöhtes CO2 im FACE Experiment: Proteomik, Physiologie und Bestandesentwicklung
(2006) Weber, Simone; Fangmeier, Andreas
The enhancement of the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration in the last 150 years due to human activities is one of the main components of global change. For the future, different scenarios predict a steadily increase of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. As carbon dioxide is the most important carbon source for plants, higher CO2 concentrations have the potential to cause direct effects on plant metabolism and vegetation development. Until now almost all of the studies concerning the effects of elevated CO2 on plants were carried out under controlled conditions, whereas the effects under natural conditions are in-vestigated at only 33 sites worldwide. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of elevated carbon dioxide on a plant community under natural conditions with regard of (i) the plant proteome, (ii) the plant physiology, (iii) the vegetation development and (iv) the potential interactions between these criteria. Therefore a Mini-FACE system was used to expose a plant community composed of wheat and weeds to two different treatments: (a) Ambient (ambient CO2 concentration, circa 380 ppm) and (b) FACE (Ambient + 150 ppm CO2). The study mainly focussed on the bio-chemical and physiological reactions of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Triso) as a crop species and wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.) as a weed species on carbon dioxide enrich-ment. The SELDI-TOF-MS technology was applied for the first time in the topic of carbon dioxide impacts on plants. The technology provides the opportunity to quantitatively and qualitatively investigate low molecular weight proteins with low abundances, which has been difficult to realise with the standardized methodology in proteomics until now. In addition to the biochemical and physiological analysis, the vegetation development was investigated continuously during the vegetation period using non-destructive methods. This included the assessment of species phenology and species dominance. The results of the performed study show that the carbon dioxide enrichment affects the protein profiles of both species wheat and wild mustard. Interestingly, many alterations in the protein concentrations were found, but no protein could be detected to be exclusively ex-pressed under CO2 treatment. The degree of modification in both species was influenced by their developmental stage. Particularly the protein profile of wheat leaves was strongly in-fluenced during generative plant development, therefore the plants seems to be highly sensitive to environmental changes during this developmental stage. Altogether three proteins were identified which were affected by CO2 treatment. The first protein, the saccharose-H+-symporter protein, was detected in the grain of spring wheat and is associated with the plant?s primary metabolism. This protein plays an important role in controlling the import of saccharose in developing grain. Consequently, elevated CO2 seems to regulate the allocation of assimilates in an active way by influencing the saccharose-H+-symporter concentration in the grain of spring wheat. Furthermore, the remaining two proteins, the PR4 protein localized in the grains and the LRR-kinase protein accumulated in the leaves of spring wheat, are associated with the secondary plant metabolism and they also responded to the elevated CO2 concentrations. These proteins are linked with defense reactions of the plants against patho-gens. The elevated CO2 concentrations caused a decrease in defense recognition in the vege-tative tissue. If the plant is infected by pathogens this down-regulation could result in a ne-gative impact. The concentration of soluble proteins and of total nitrogen decreased in the leaves of spring wheat whereas the C/N ratio increased. Despite this the relative concentration of Chlorophyll a was not affected and therefore an accelerated growth of the plants due to the carbon dioxide enrichment can be excluded. Thus the detected pattern of responses suggests an enhanced nitrogen use efficiency under increased CO2 concentrations. The biomass of single spring wheat plants was unaltered during the vegetation period whereas other investi-gations in parallel showed an enhanced growth and a greater yield of spring wheat at the end of the vegetation period. Species dominance of wheat and weeds was neither influenced in the first nor the second year of investigation with regard to CO2 enrichment. The results indicate that annual crop systems under natural conditions indeed exhibit strong reactions concerning proteomics and physiology, but not concerning the plant development probably due to a relative short time of exposition. Based on long term considerations the detected reactions of the plant proteome may play an important role in the breeding of optimal adapted plants.