A model of nitrous oxide evolution from soil driven by rainfall events: 1. Model structure and sensitivity

Abstract

This paper describes a rain‐event driven, process‐oriented simulation model, DNDC, for the evolution of nitrous oxide (N 2 O), carbon dioxide (CO 2), and dinitrogen (N 2) from agricultural soils. The model consists of three submodels: thermal‐hydraulic, decomposition, and denitrification. Basic climate data drive the model to produce dynamic soil temperature and moisture profiles and shifts of aerobic‐anaerobic conditions. Additional input data include soil texture and biochemical properties as well as agricultural practices. Between rainfall events the decomposition of organic matter and other oxidation reactions (including nitrification) dominate, and the levels of total organic carbon, soluble carbon, and nitrate change continuously. During rainfall events, denitrification dominates and produces N 2 O and N 2. Daily emissions of N 2 O and N 2 are computed during each rainfall event and cumulative emissions of the gases are determined by including nitrification N 2 O emissions as well. Sensitivity analyses reveal that rainfall patterns strongly influence N 2 O emissions from soils but that soluble carbon and nitrate can be limiting factors for N 2 O evolution during denitrification. During a year sensitivity simulation, variations in temperature, precipitation, organic C, clay content, and pH had significant effects on denitrification rates and N 2 O emissions. The responses of DNDC to changes of external parameters are consistent with field and experimental results reported in the literature.