A simple method for quantifying dissolved nitrous oxide in tile drainage water

Roper, J. D., Burton, D. L., Madani, A. and Stratton, G. W. 2013. A simple method for quantifying dissolved nitrous oxide in tile drainage water. Can. J. Soil Sci. 93: 59-64. It is often assumed that the N2O produced from nitrification and denitrification in soil systems is lost primarily as a gas from the soil surface. However, the dissolution and eventual degassing of N2O in water leaching through, and draining from, agricultural fields is also a significant loss pathway. The quantification of this pathway of N2O loss has been limited by available methodologies for measuring dissolved gases in drainage water. Here a simple method is presented, which allows for the collection of tile drainage water samples using standard automated water sampling equipment that maintains the dissolved gases. Tile drainage water was collected in 1 L ISCO™ water sampling bottles outfitted with modified 10 mL volumetric pipettes. The pipettes provide a means of reducing the water:atmosphere interface for water held within th...