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

• Published in: Mitigation and adaptation strategies for global change Vol. 6; no. 1; p. 71
• Main Authors: Denier van der Gon, Hugo A, van Bodegom, Peter M, Wassmann, Reiner, Lantin, Rhoda S, Metra-corton, Teodula M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Nature B.V 2001
• Subjects: Crop production; Emissions; Emissions control; Fertilizers; Laboratorium voor Bodemkunde en geologie; Laboratory of Soil Science and Geology; Leerstoelgroep Plantaardige productiesystemen; Methane; PE&RC; Plant Production Systems; Plantaardige Productiesystemen; Rhizosphere; Rice fields; Sulfates; WIMEK
• ISSN: 1381-2386; 1573-1596
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1011380916490

Application of sulfate-containing amendments is oftensuggested as a mitigation option to reduce methane (CH^sub 4^) emissionsfrom rice (Oryza) fields. This paper discusses the mechanism andpotential of this mitigation option, reviews the relevant experimental data,and presents first, indicative costs of application. CH^sub 4^ emission datafor rice fields with sulfate-containing amendments are compiled toreinterpret the resulting reduction in CH^sub 4^ emission and find a generalrelationship between emission reduction and amount of sulfate applied. Thereduction in CH^sub 4^ emission depends on the amount of sulfate applied.However, absolute emission reduction is location specific and cannot bederived from the amount of sulfate (SO^sup 2-^^sub 4^) applied only. We established alogarithmic relationship, across locations, between SO^sup 2-^^sub 4^ application andfractional emission reduction relative to the emission of the non-amendedcontrol field. Recycling of SO^sup 2-^^sub 4^ in the rhizosphere was essential to explainthe observed reductions in CH^sub 4^ emission for a number of theexperiments. The cost of applying SO^sup 2-^^sub _4^-containing fertilizers varies acrosscountries and depends on local fertilizer prices. Since a fractional reductionis obtained, the cost-efficiency in terms of CH^sub 4^ mitigation per unitof SO^sup 2-^^sub 4^ applied will be highest in high-emitting rice production systems.Provided the proper target areas are selected, the cost of SO^sup 2-^^sub 4^-containingfertilizer as a mitigation option to reduce CH^sub 4^ emissions in rice fieldsis estimated at 5-10 US dollar per Mg CO^sub 2^-equivalent.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]