Biogenic Trace Gases

Trace gases are those that are present in the atmosphere at relatively low concentrations. Small changes in their concentrations can have profound implications for major atmospheric fluxes, and thereore, can be used as indicators in studies of global change, global biogeochemical cycling and global warming. This new how-to guide will detail the concepts and techniques involved in the detection and measurement of trace gases, and the impact they have on ecological studies. Introductory chapters look at the role of trace gases in global cycles, while later chapters go on to consider techniques for the measurement of gases in various environments and at a range of scales.

• A how-to guide for measuring atmospheric trace gases.
• Techniques described are of value in addressing current concerns over global climate change.

List of Contributors.

The Methods in Ecology Series.

Preface.

Trace Gas Exchange In An Ecosystem Context: Multiple Approaches For Measurement And Analysis.

Enclosure-Based Measurement Of Trace Gas Exchange: Applications And Sources Of Error.

Trace Gas Exchange Across The Air-Water Interface In Freshwater And Coastal Marine Environments.

Trace Gas Exchange In Freshwater And Coastal Marine Environments: Ebullition And Transpost By Plants.

Micrometeorological Techniques For Measuring Biosphere-Atmosphere Trace Gas Exchange.

Standard Analytical Methods For Measuring Trace Gases In The Environment.

Measurements Of Chemically Reactive Trace Gases At Ambient Concentrations.

Recent Advances In Spectroscopic Instrumentation For Measuring Stable Gases In The Natural Environment.

Use Of Isotopes And Tracers In The Study Of Emissions And Consumption Of Trace Gases In Terrestrial Environments.

Microbial Processes Of Production And Consumption Of Nitric Oxide, Nitrous Oxide And Methane.

Process Modelling And Spatial Extrapolation.

Index.

"The present volume of [this book] will serve as an important tool box for researchers and graduate students in this discipline, and will provide both a range of techniques for field measurements and a conceptual framework for extrapolation strategies."

P. A. Matson and R. C. Harriss are the authors of Biogenic Trace Gases: Measuring Emissions from Soil and Water, published by Wiley. Change in the composition of the atmosphere is one of the best documented and most important of global changes, yet many of the reasons for atmospheric changes are poorly understood. The role of the biosphere as a source or sink of important atmospheric trace gases, and an understanding of why sources and sinks are changing, are critical to predicting the future and controlling change.

Because the study of biosphere-atmosphere trace gas exchange is relatively new, and because the multiple approaches used in measuring gas fluxes as well as in analysing the underlying controlling processes have evolved from diverse scientific disciplines, a compendium methods is much needed.

This book provides information about the range of currently available methods and approaches for measurement of trace gas exchange, current and future analytical methods, and modelling and extrapolation approaches.

The Methods in Ecology Series

The aim of this series is to provide ecologists with concise and authoritative books that will guide them in choosing and applying an appropriate methodology to their problem. New technologies are a feature of the series.