Application of Open-Path FT-IR Spectroscopy to Determine Green House Gas Flux from Farmland

— 1. Closed-Chamber Method —

Abstract

Flux determination of various gases from farmlands is of great importance. We have applied open-path FT-IR (OPFTIR) spectroscopy combined with a closed-chamber method for measuring greenhouse gases from paddy fields. By applying this technique we were able to measure gases that absorb infrared light on site and simultaneously. To get more quantitative information on the amount of methane from paddy fields, measuring conditions and analyses techniques of observed spectra have been improved. We now get reliable data on the densities of greenhouse gases which are highly space-representative and cannot be got by using conventional techniques. We believe that by proposing appropriate cultivation methods with little environmental load on the basis of the data, we can slow down global warming.