Overview
Topic status: In progress
Overview
Sequestering carbon in soils through modified farming management is thought to be an effective mitigation option for agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. At the same time agriculture can be a major source of GHGs through the release of nitrous oxide gas (N2O) from fertilised soil. However, there is increasing evidence that the magnitude of N2O emissions is also dependent on the availability of carbon in the soils. In view of the Carbon Farming Initiative in Australia it is important to understand which effect increased soil carbon levels will have on the emissions of N2O in order to identify more sustainable farming strategies.
This project will examine the influence of different soil carbon levels and crop residue management on such emissions from different cropping soils around Australia. The project will involve instruction and use of laboratory experimentation, including the use of 15N labelled isotopic fertiliser and the use of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.
Duration of project
8-10 weeks from November 2011 to mid-February 2012
- Study level
- Vacation research experience scholarship
- Supervisors
- QUT
- Organisational unit
Science and Engineering Faculty
- Research area
- Contact
- Please contact the supervisor for enquiries.
Dr Clemens Scheer
