Student Research: Monitoring Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Update on Agricultural Season Extension with High Tunnels: a Greenhouse Gas Source or Sink?

Tessa's research evaluating the differences between greenhouse gas emission in high tunnels and agricultural fields is continuing into the fall and winter seasons. The tomato crops have been pulled out of the ground and the soil has been plowed. Even without crops, it's still important to know what's happening below-ground by measuring the carbon dioxide (CO₂) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions that result.

Because the soil has been disturbed and the rows of crops removed, she's trying a new approach to measuring these trace gas emissions:

Sampling trace gas emissions using a "portable flux chamber" (an upside down cooking pot) as an alternative to semi-permanent plastic collars that were used during the growing season. This method may allow for an improved snapshot of greenhouse gasses emitted from agricultural soils, especially because it is more adaptable for sampling around typical agricultural management practices.  

The portable flux chamber in the traditional high tunnel. UNH's new moveable high tunnel and several low tunnels are in the background.