Abstract |
A pilot study was conducted to determine whether techniques for measuring biogenic emissions from tree saplings, branches, and leaves could be adapted to the measurement of biogenic emissions from individual plants of agricultural species. Measurements were then made to determine possible biogenic emissions from corn (Zea mays L.), an agricultural crop of significant economic importance in the US as well as in other parts of the world. Biogenic emissions from corn were expected to be low, based on work of other investigators; but corn biomass represents a substantial fraction of agricultural land-use in the US, such that the total impact on air quality could be appreciably more than expected from the reported emission rate alone. Measurements were made of emissions from mature single corn plants and from corn seedlings, using a modification of the established branch enclosure technique. Air samples from the Teflon plant enclosure chamber were collected at an exit port by means of a gas-tight syringe, and transferred into Teflon bags for temporary storage and transport to the laboratory for cryogenic preconcentration and analysis by GC-FID. Experimental enclosure and measurement procedures are presented, along with preliminary results. |