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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Laboratory for Agriculture and The Environment » Soil, Water & Air Resources Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #321409
Title: Evaluation of photo-acoustic infrared multigas analyzer in measuring concentrations of greenhouse gases emitted from feedlot soil/manure

Author
item AGUILAR, ORLANDO - Technological University Of Panama
item MAGHIRANG, RONALDO - Kansas State University
item Trabue, Steven - Steve

Submitted to: International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/16/2016
Publication Date: 7/20/2016
Citation: Aguilar, O., Maghirang, R., Trabue, S.L. 2016. Evaluation of photo-acoustic infrared multigas analyzer in measuring concentrations of greenhouse gases emitted from feedlot soil/manure. International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering. 7:1-9.

Interpretive Summary: Photo-acoustic infrared multigas analyzers (PIMAs) are portable and reasonable priced instrument for measuring greenhouse gases in the field. However studies comparing performance of these instruments compared to more traditional techniques. A study was conducted to see similarities between PIMAs and evacuated vials analyzed by gas chromatography (standard technique). The two techniques were correlated with some differences in concentrations. This study shows that PIMAs are a fast reliable technique comparable to older methods. Information in this report will be of value for scientist, engineers, and regulatory officials who use these techniques in the field.

Technical Abstract: Photo-acoustic infrared multigas analyzers (PIMAs) are being increasingly utilized to measure concentrations and fluxes of greenhouse gases (i.e., N2O, CO2, and CH4) at the soil surface because of their low cost, portability, and ease of operation. This research evaluated a PIMA in combination with static flux chambers (SFCs) for measuring concentrations of N2O and CO2 emitted from beef cattle feedlot soil/manure. Concentrations of N2O and CO2 emitted from feedlot soil/manure were measured simultaneously using a gas chromatograph (GC) and PIMA. The GC and PIMA were significantly correlated (R2=0.93 and 0.85 for N2O and CO2, respectively) but differed in measured concentrations. The PIMA showed generally smaller N2O concentration and greater CO2 concentration than the GC. Linear regression equations were developed between the GC and PIMA and then verified using data from a related experiment.