Poly-Use Multi-Level Sampling System for Soil-Gas Transport Analysis in the Vadose Zone

Nauer, Philipp A.; Chiri, Eleonora; Schroth, Martin H.

doi:10.1021/es401958u

Cited by 10 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…Subatmospheric CH 4 concentrations from siliceous sites showed that the SR did not "generate" CH 4 by an unknown mechanism. Furthermore, we are confident that sampling with the MLS reflected steady-state situations, as suggested by various tests with the instrument (Nauer et al, 2013). Using the MLS the soil is not disturbed during sampling through access Fig.…”

Section: Comparison Of Mls and Sr Profilessupporting

confidence: 54%

“…Collection of soil-gas samples was accomplished using the SR (Nauer et al, 2012) and the MLS as part of a newly developed sampling system (Nauer et al, 2013). A graphical overview of both instruments is given in the supporting information.…”

Section: Soil-gas Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Yet, repetitive sampling at the same location was not possible with this device. Consequently, a novel multilevel sampler (MLS) was developed for repeated soil-gas sampling at multiple depths (Nauer et al, 2013). Remarkably, elevated CH 4 concentrations previously observed in SR samples from glacier forefields on calcareous bedrock could not be detected in samples from the MLS during initial tests.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Technical Note: Disturbance of soil structure can lead to release of entrapped methane in glacier forefield soils

et al. 2014

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Abstract. Investigations of sources and sinks of atmospheric CH4 are needed to understand the global CH4 cycle and climate-change mitigation options. Glaciated environments might play a critical role due to potential feedbacks with global glacial meltdown. In an emerging glacier forefield, an ecological shift occurs from an anoxic, potentially methanogenic subglacial sediment to an oxic proglacial soil, in which soil-microbial consumption of atmospheric CH4 is initiated. The development of this change in CH4 turnover can be quantified by soil-gas profile analysis. We found evidence for CH4 entrapped in glacier forefield soils when comparing two methods for the collection of soil-gas samples: a modified steel rod (SR) designed for one-time sampling and rapid screening (samples collected ∼1 min after hammering the SR into the soil), and a novel multilevel sampler (MLS) for repetitive sampling through a previously installed access tube (samples collected weeks after access-tube installation). In glacier forefields on siliceous bedrock, sub-atmospheric CH4 concentrations were observed with both methods. Conversely, elevated soil-CH4 concentrations were observed in calcareous glacier forefields, but only in samples collected with the SR, while MLS samples all showed sub-atmospheric CH4 concentrations. Time-series of SR soil-gas sampling (additional samples collected 2, 3, 5, and 7 min after hammering) confirmed the transient nature of the elevated soil-CH4 concentrations, which were decreasing from ∼100 μL L−1 towards background levels within minutes. This hints towards the existence of entrapped CH4 in calcareous glacier forefield soil that can be released when sampling soil-gas with the SR. Laboratory experiments with miniature soil cores collected from two glacier forefields confirmed CH4 entrapment in these soils. Treatment by sonication and acidification resulted in a massive release of CH4 from calcareous cores (on average 0.3–1.8 μg CH4 (g d.w.)−1) (d.w. – dry weight); release from siliceous cores was 1–2 orders of magnitude lower (0.02–0.03 μg CH4 (g d.w.)−1). Clearly, some form of CH4 entrapment exists in calcareous glacier forefield soils, and to a much lesser extent in siliceous glacier forefield soils. Its nature and origin remain unclear and will be subject of future investigations.

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Section: Comparison Of Mls and Sr Profilessupporting

confidence: 54%

Section: Soil-gas Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Technical Note: Disturbance of soil structure can lead to release of entrapped methane in glacier forefield soils

et al. 2014

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“…At locations A to C, we employed the soil gas profile method to determine soil-atmosphere CH 4 flux (milligrams of CH 4 per square meter per day) (e.g., see reference 19). To this end, depth-resolved soil gas samples were collected using a polyuse multilevel sampling system (61). Details of the installation, sampling, and measurement procedures were described previously (54).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

High Temporal and Spatial Variability of Atmospheric-Methane Oxidation in Alpine Glacier Forefield Soils

Chiri

Nauer

Rainer

et al. 2017

Appl Environ Microbiol

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Glacier forefield soils can provide a substantial sink for atmospheric CH 4 , facilitated by aerobic methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB). However, MOB activity, abundance, and community structure may be affected by soil age, MOB location in different forefield landforms, and temporal fluctuations in soil physical parameters. We assessed the spatial and temporal variability of atmospheric-CH 4 oxidation in an Alpine glacier forefield during the snow-free season of 2013. We quantified CH 4 flux in soils of increasing age and in different landforms (sandhill, terrace, and floodplain forms) by using soil gas profile and static flux chamber methods. To determine MOB abundance and community structure, we employed pmoA gene-based quantitative PCR and targeted amplicon sequencing. Uptake of CH 4 increased in magnitude and decreased in variability with increasing soil age. Sandhill soils exhibited CH 4 uptake rates ranging from Ϫ3.7 to Ϫ0.03 mg CH 4 m Ϫ2 day Ϫ1 . Floodplain and terrace soils exhibited lower uptake rates and even intermittent CH 4 emissions. Linear mixed-effects models indicated that soil age and landform were the dominating factors shaping CH 4 flux, followed by cumulative rainfall (weighted sum Յ4 days prior to sampling). Of 31 MOB operational taxonomic units retrieved, ϳ30% were potentially novel, and ϳ50% were affiliated with upland soil clusters gamma and alpha. The MOB community structures in floodplain and terrace soils were nearly identical but differed significantly from the highly variable sandhill soil communities. We concluded that soil age and landform modulate the soil CH 4 sink strength in glacier forefields and that recent rainfall affects its shortterm variability. This should be taken into account when including this environment in future CH 4 inventories. IMPORTANCE Oxidation of methane (CH 4 ) in well-drained, "upland" soils is an important mechanism for the removal of this potent greenhouse gas from the atmosphere. It is largely mediated by aerobic, methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB). Whereas there is abundant information on atmospheric-CH 4 oxidation in mature upland soils, little is known about this important function in young, developing soils, such as those found in glacier forefields, where new sediments are continuously exposed to the atmosphere as a result of glacial retreat. In this field-based study, we investigated the spatial and temporal variability of atmospheric-CH 4 oxidation and associated MOB communities in Alpine glacier forefield soils, aiming at better understanding the factors that shape the sink for atmospheric CH 4 in this young soil ecosystem. This study contributes to the knowledge on the dynamics of atmospheric-CH 4 oxidation in developing upland soils and represents a further step toward the inclusion of Alpine glacier forefield soils in global CH 4 inventories.KEYWORDS atmospheric-methane oxidation, glacier forefield soil, high-affinity MOB, methanotroph, methane flux, proglacial landforms, pmoA Citation Chiri E, Nauer PA, Rainer E-M, Zeyer J, Schroth M...

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“…Petersen. E-mail: soren.o.petersen@agrsci.dk Received 26 February 2014; revised version accepted 24 June 2014 gas from sub-surface sampling positions via nylon tubing (Rolston et al, 1976), stainless steel tubing (Park et al, 2011;Petersen et al, 2011) or more advanced probe designs (Nauer et al, 2013). Disturbance of soil gas distribution during sampling can be avoided by sampling from a diffusion cell in contact with the surrounding soil with a gas-permeable membrane of polytetrafluoroethylene (Magnusson, 1989), polyethylene (DeSutter et al, 2006), polypropylene (Gut et al, 1998) or silicone (Dörr & Münnich, 1980;Thomas & Lloyd, 1995;Panikov et al, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diffusion probe for gas sampling in undisturbed soil

Petersen

2014

European J Soil Science

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Summary Soil‐atmosphere fluxes of trace gases such as methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are determined by complex interactions between biological activity and soil conditions. Soil gas concentration profiles may, in combination with other information about soil conditions, help us to understand emission controls. This paper describes a simple and robust diffusion probe for soil gas sampling as part of flux monitoring programmes. It can be deployed with minimum disturbance of in‐situ conditions, and also at sites with a high or fluctuating water table. Separate probes are used for each sampling depth, in this study ranging from 5 to 100 cm. The probe has a 10‐ml diffusion cell with a 3‐mm diameter opening covered by a 0.5‐mm silicone membrane. At sampling the diffusion cell is flushed with 10 ml N2 containing 50 µl l−1 ethylene (C2H4) as a tracer; tracer recovery is used to calculate sample concentrations. Ethylene is immediately removed by flushing with unamended N2. Equations are presented to correct for dead volumes of connecting tubing and valves. Laboratory tests evaluated recovery of CH4, N2O and carbon dioxide (CO2), removal of C2H4 and equilibration of CH4, N2O and CO2 in air and water. Field tests on peat soils used for grazing showed soil gas concentrations of CH4 and N2O as influenced by topography, site conditions and season. The applicability of the diffusion probe for trace gas monitoring is discussed.

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Poly-Use Multi-Level Sampling System for Soil-Gas Transport Analysis in the Vadose Zone

Cited by 10 publications

References 62 publications

Technical Note: Disturbance of soil structure can lead to release of entrapped methane in glacier forefield soils

Technical Note: Disturbance of soil structure can lead to release of entrapped methane in glacier forefield soils

High Temporal and Spatial Variability of Atmospheric-Methane Oxidation in Alpine Glacier Forefield Soils

Diffusion probe for gas sampling in undisturbed soil

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