Sulfate-containing amendments to reduce methane emissions from rice fields: mechanisms, effectiveness and costs

Authors: Denier van der Gon H.A.¹; van Bodegom P.M.²; Wassmann R.³; Lantin R.S.⁴; Metra-Corton T.M.⁵

Source: Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Volume 6, Number 1, 2001 , pp. 71-89(19)

Publisher: Springer

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $47.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

Application of sulfate-containing amendments is often suggested as a mitigation option to reduce methane (CH_4) emissions from rice ( Oryza) fields. This paper discusses the mechanism and potential of this mitigation option, reviews the relevant experimental data, and presents first, indicative costs of application. CH_4 emission data for rice fields with sulfate-containing amendments are compiled to reinterpret the resulting reduction in CH_4 emission and find a general relationship between emission reduction and amount of sulfate applied. The reduction in CH_4 emission depends on the amount of sulfate applied. However, absolute emission reduction is location specific and cannot be derived from the amount of sulfate (SO^2-_4) applied only. We established a logarithmic relationship, across locations, between SO^2-_4 application and fractional emission reduction relative to the emission of the non-amended control field. Recycling of SO^2-_4 in the rhizosphere was essential to explain the observed reductions in CH_4 emission for a number of the experiments. The cost of applying SO^2-__4-containing fertilizers varies across countries and depends on local fertilizer prices. Since a fractional reduction is obtained, the cost-efficiency in terms of CH_4 mitigation per unit of SO^2-_4 applied will be highest in high-emitting rice production systems. Provided the proper target areas are selected, the cost of SO^2-_4-containing fertilizer as a mitigation option to reduce CH_4 emissions in rice fields is estimated at 5–10 US dollar per Mg CO_2-equivalent.

Keywords: fertilizer; methane emissions; mitigation; mitigation costs; rice agriculture; sulfate; methanogens; sulfate-reducing bacteria

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Laboratory of Soil Science and Geology, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 37, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands 2: Lab. Theoretical Production Ecology and Lab. of Microbiology, Wageningen University. Present address: Dep. Systems Ecology, VU, de Boelelaan 1087, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands 3: Fraunhofer-Institut für Atmosphärische Umweltforschung, Kreuzeckbahnstr. 19, D-82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany; formerly at International Rice Research Institute 4: Soil and Water Sciences Division, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), P.O. Box 3127, MCPO 1271 Makati City, Philippines 5: Agronomy, Soils and Plant Physiology Division, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Munoz, Nueva Ecija 3119, Philippines

Publication date: 2001-01-01

Sulfate-containing amendments to reduce methane emissions from rice fields: mechanisms, effectiveness and costs

Buy & download fulltext article:

Tools

Key

Text size:

Useful pages