From Dr Lisa Wingate UMR 1391 IPSA INRA Bordeaux France :
Our team here in Bordeaux have recently constructed a laboratory to conduct high-resolution gas exchange measurements of CO2 isotopologue concentrations (13CO2 and CO18O) alongside COS concentrations from soil chambers. By measuring the gas exchange of different soils under controlled climatic conditions, we hope to develop a better mechanistic understanding of the environmental controls on the exchange of these trace gases with the atmosphere. We will also attempt to characterise the activity of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase as it is known to play an important role in the exchange of these trace gases. In particular our past studies have shown that the impact of this enzyme is most important in the first several centimetres of the soil surface. Thus our collective sampling strategy needs to be tailored to capture this important surface feature.
