The DENitrification Incubation Systems (with and without Plant) DENIS and P-DENIS are two laboratories fitted with automated incubation systems to measure atmospheric emissions from soils. The systems allow to study transformations of nutrients in soil with/out plants. Both systems allows incubation of soil cores (with or without plant), after application of amendments, and carry out measurements (at high temporal resolution) of N (NO, N2O, N2) and C-gases (CO2, CH4) (and through spot sampling, others such as VOCs). Isotope labelling (15N) is applied to trace the fate of N in soil and losses as emissions. Changes in nitrogen in the soil can also be assessed.
The two systems enclose 12-vessels each to place soil cores either intact or repacked. The headspace is flushed with a mixture of He/O2 (there is potential for other gas mixtures if required) to remove background N2 allowing measurements of the produced N2 as well as other N-gases. Amendments such as mineral fertiliser, livestock urine, slurries and manures are applied at a set moisture level and temperature. These facilities improve our understanding of the mechanisms involved in N transformations and to test mitigation strategies for the reduction of the greenhouse gas N2O emissions from soils.
For further information please contact Laura Cardenas:
Rothamsted Research
North Wyke
Okehampton
Devon
EX20 2SB
Atmospheric Chemist
Environmental Scientist
Soils Emissions Specialist
