Agricultural activities are one of the major contributors to trace gases in the atmosphere. Besides the contribution to methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), ammonia (NH₃), ground-level ozone (O₃), and various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are triggered by agricultural activities. These trace gases play significant roles in biogeochemical cycles, affecting air quality and interplaying with climate change. Understanding the dynamics of the source and sink processes of these trace gases—from agricultural soils, crops, and the impact of diverse management practices—is essential for developing effective strategies or practices to mitigate their environmental impact.
This session, " Agricultural Trace Gas Dynamics and Air Quality: Innovative Approaches and Emerging Insights," aims to showcase the latest research and technological advancements in measuring and modeling trace gas exchanges and concentrations within agricultural ecosystems.
The session will welcome the following topics, but not limited to, (1) the impact of different agricultural management practices, such as tillage, mineral/organic fertilization, irrigation, crop rotation, and livestock management, on trace gas concentrations, emissions and depositions from a range of agroecosystems across the globe; (2) cutting-edge methodologies, such as ecosystem-scale monitoring, automated chamber systems, remote sensing technologies, and novel analytical tools for detecting VOCs and other trace gases; (3) the use of state-of-the-art modeling techniques, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, to extrapolate and predict gas dynamics patterns under various environmental and management scenarios; (4) challenges and opportunities associated with reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture.
We seek to bring together researchers, policymakers, and industry practitioners, especially the early career researchers, to join and contribute their fresh perspectives and ideas to this important discussion. Expected outcomes include fostering new collaborations, identifying research gaps on agricultural trace gas management and the challenges of climate change and air quality, and developing actionable recommendations for sustainable agricultural practices that may improve soil health, air quality, and global food security.