Journal
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
Volume 45, Issue 7, Pages 1418-1427Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2010.12.023
Keywords
Epikarst; Ventilation; Eddy covariance; Soil porosity; Evapotranspiration; Global carbon cycle
Funding
- Spanish Ministry of Science [CGL2006-11561/BTE, CGL2010-17108/BTE]
- Spanish Ministry Juan de la Cierva
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This study tests the hypothesis that the degree of moisture in the soil pore system determines gas exchange processes (ventilation/charge) between the outer atmosphere and the karst-epikarst during the warm, dry period (summer). These processes explain anomalous CO2 fluxes measured over this and other ecosystems. Emission of CO2 by ventilation of cavities requires an open double membrane system (host rock and soil) through which air movement can take place (H2Ovapour, CO2, Rn-222, etc.). An experimental study on the behavior of the soil and host rock porous system under changing air humidity conditions, coupled with a broad analytical approach addressing CO2 fluxes using the eddy-covariance technique and monitoring of the cave microclimate serves to define the suitable environmental conditions favoring air transfer between the cave atmosphere and exterior. This study shows the correlation between evapotranspiration, CO2 emissions, and cave ventilation processes due to the daytime opening of the soil membrane. Thus, the role of the soil as a membrane/interface or transfer medium can be observed, and it is directly dependent on weather conditions (temperature, humidity, wind). (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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