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Measuring the Breath of the Soil

Soil Respiration:
Greenhouse gas concentrations in the
atmosphere are increasing and causing the
climate to warm. Atmospheric CO2 levels have
gone up since the industrial revolution largely
due to burning of fossil fuels. However, often
overlooked as a source of greenhouse gases
is the production of CO2 from soil respiration.
Soil respiration is the production of CO2 from
the soil by two processes: the breakdown of
organic matter (once living stuff) by soil
microorganisms, and respiration by plant
roots.

All aerobic organisms release CO2 from


the breakdown of organic matter and since
there can be millions of these organisms in
as little as one teaspoon of earth, soil
respiration is an important source of
atmospheric CO2.
So, how much CO2 is emitted from the soil to the atmosphere?
How Much CO2 is Emitted from the Soil
to the Atmosphere?
Learning Goals:
1. Measure CO2 from soil
respiration
2. Understand why factors,
such as temperature, soil
humidity rate, and soil type
affect CO2 production
3. Grasp the importance of
the soil respiration in
relation to climate change
and global warming
Fertility Tests
Soil organic matter functions as an enormous storehouse for carbon: it is estimated
that living organisms account for about one-quarter or all carbon in terrestrial
ecosystems, while the remaining three-quarters is stored in the organic matter
contained in the soils.

Using the experimental design given in the handout:


Prove beyond a reasonable doubt that fertile soils respire
more than infertile soils
***If one group can measures a soil respiration rate, or carbon
flux above 50mg/m2/hr then everyone gains 5 extra points on
this lab! You have one week.
Choose your pick
You have one week to complete one
of the following experiments

Experiment 1: Hot Microbe, Cold Microbe


Most of the CO2 emitted at the soil surface is produced by
microorganisms. Soil temperature is one of the most important
environmental factors controlling the rate of CO2 production by soils.
Using temperature probes prove beyond a reasonable doubt how
temperature affects microbial activity, and therefore soil respiration.
Include a graph showing soil respiration as a function of soil
temperature in your findings.

Experiment 2: Its Raining its Pouring, are the microbes snoring?


Soil respiration is affected by moisture content. Moisture content can
be easily measured by weighing soil samples, drying them in an oven
at 60ºC for 24 hrs, and then weighing them again. Percent moisture
content (MC) is calculated as MC = [(freshweight-dry weight)/dry
weight] x 100. Prove beyond a reasonable doubt how moisture affects
microbial activity and therefore soil respiration. Include a graph
showing soil respiration as a function of soil moisture in your findings.
Extra Credit: 5 more points!
• Find out the approximate
percentage of CO2 emissions
into the atmosphere that soil
respiration is responsible for
• Name three ways humans
can affect soil respiration to
reduce CO2 emissions
• How might global warming
affect CO2 emissions from
soil respiration?
• Journal at least 1 page about
your findings.

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