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Soil Respiration

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Soil Respiration

Soil Respiration – 24 hour

Summary

This method quantifies soil respiration by measuring the carbon dioxide (CO₂) released from soil following rewetting and incubation in a closed vessel for 24 hours. Soil respiration serves as an indicator of biological activity, with higher CO₂ production indicating greater microbial activity. During incubation, the evolved CO₂ is absorbed by a potassium hydroxide (KOH) trap solution. The amount of CO₂ is determined by measuring the change in the electrical conductivity (EC).

  • Sample amount requested: 80 g (Sample Amount Guide)

  • Please contact the Analytical Laboratory with questions concerning limited sample.

References:

  • Schindelbeck B., Batterman Z., Kurtz K., and Moebius-Clune D.J. (2022). Soil Respiration. Cornell Soil Health Laboratory.
  • Stott, D.E. (2019). Recommended Soil Health Indicators and Associated Laboratory Procedures. Soil Health Technical Note No. 450-03. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
  • Haney, R.L., Haney, E.B. (2010). Simple and rapid laboratory method for rewetting dry soil for incubations. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. 41(12):1493-1501.
  • Haney R.L., Brinton W.F., and Evans E. (2008). Estimating soil C, N, and P mineralization from short-term CO2 respiration. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. 39:2706-2720.