Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2140
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2140
19 Aug 2024
 | 19 Aug 2024

The Impact of Scoria-Filled Aeration Trenches on the N-cycle and Greenhouse Gases Emissions from a Clayey Soil

Shahar Baram, Asher Bar-Tal, Anna Beriozkin, Roee Katzir, Alon Gal, and David Russo

Abstract. Treated wastewater (TWW, i.e., treated effluents) is a growing water source. However, irrigation with TWW irrigation exacerbates oxygen deficiencies in the root zone, particularly in clayey soils. Coarse-textured filled trenches are used to ameliorate soil oxygen deficiencies in agriculture. This study aimed to investigate the impact of scoria-filled soil aeration trenches on nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from clayey soil irrigated with TWW. N2O and CO2 fluxes were measured in the field for three years, along with soil water content monitoring (10 and 35 cm depth) and porewater (30 cm depth) sampling. Irrigation and intense rain events led to transient (hours-long) near-saturation conditions in the clay soil. Concomitantly, the soil at the bottom of the trench remained saturated for prolonged periods, extending to days and even weeks. Nitrate was the dominant N-form and showed a seasonal trend with high concentrations (>50 mgL-1) between June and October. N2O fluxes were positively correlated with fertilizer applications, and fluxes from the trenches were higher throughout the year, with maximal differences during the winter. CO2 fluxes were higher from the trenches during the fertigation seasons yet lower during the winter. Simulation results of N2O fluxes showed higher fluctuation in the scoria-filled trenches following fertigation events. Further, it showed that filling the trench with finer medium, aimed to maximize the rate of water uptake by the trees' roots, increased the emissions maxima, dampening its minima. Overall, our study shows that aeration trenches may serve as N2O hotspots and that, during winter, they might be counterproductive. Further study is needed to find the optimal filling material that would maximize aeration yet minimize water build-up at the trench bottom.

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Shahar Baram, Asher Bar-Tal, Anna Beriozkin, Roee Katzir, Alon Gal, and David Russo

Status: final response (author comments only)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-2140', Anonymous Referee #1, 15 Sep 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Shahar Baram, 22 Sep 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-2140', Anonymous Referee #2, 09 Oct 2024
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC2', Shahar Baram, 28 Nov 2024
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-2140', Anonymous Referee #3, 09 Oct 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC3', Shahar Baram, 28 Nov 2024
Shahar Baram, Asher Bar-Tal, Anna Beriozkin, Roee Katzir, Alon Gal, and David Russo
Shahar Baram, Asher Bar-Tal, Anna Beriozkin, Roee Katzir, Alon Gal, and David Russo

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Short summary
We evaluate the impact of scoria-filled aeration trenches on N2O and CO2 emissions from a treated wastewater (TWW) irrigated orchard, using three years of field monitoring and 3-D numerical simulations. We show that trenches may increase the N2O fluxes year-round, and that filling them with hydraulically optimal soil may increase water uptake but concomitantly increase the N2O fluxes. Improved growth by the trees may balance the increased N2O emissions from the trenches.