BaPS Barometric Process Separation
The Barometric Process Separation (BaPS) is a patented method for the determination of primary microbial carbon and nitrogen conversion processes in undisturbed soil samples.Simultaneous measurement
Nitrogen cycle in soils
With the BaPS system the following conversion processes can be determined simultaneously:
- Gross nitrification
- Gross denitrification
- Soil respiration rate
Benefits
- Analysis of undisturbed soil samples
- No application of tracers
- No use of inhibitors required
- Easy handling and prompt results
- Low initial and maintenance costs
- Good traceability as calculation algorithms are visible
- Take gas samples
The measuring principle
Gross nitrification, gross denitrification and soil respiration rates are determined by recording air pressure, O2 and CO2 net balances within a gas and pressure tight isothermal system.Decisive are microbial activities causing an increase of pressure and carbon dioxide, and a decrease of oxygen.
Soil respiration is pressure neutral:
CH2O + O2,Atm → CO2,Atm + H2O
Nitrification causes a pressure decrease:
NH4+ + 2O2,Nit →NO3- + H2O + 2H+
Denitrification causes a pressure increase:
5CH2O + 4NO3- + 4H+ → 5CO2,Den + 7H2O + 2N2
Further, the dynamic equilibrium of the CO2- and O2- concentration in the head space and in the aqueous phase as well the pH-depending solubility of CO2 must be considered.
Typical applications
N-conversion processes
- Nitrate release
- Nitrogen emission
- Optimising the use of N-fertiliser
- Parameterisation of microbial
N-conversion processes (fig. 2) - Soil respiration
Limits
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The determination of anaerobic soils is not possible as, among others, methane is produced.
Contact
Thomas PertassekTel: +49 89 12 66 52 - 17
Fax: +49 89 12 66 52 - 20
E-Mail: tp@ums-muc.de
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