N2O Fluxes in Response to Changing Rainfall Patterns

N2O is a powerful greenhouse gas with 298 times the global warming potential of CO2. Agricultural soils account for 74% of anthropogenic N2O in the United States. The heaviest rainfall events have become heavier and more frequent, with the biggest increases in the Northeast, Midwest, and Great Plains. N2O fluxes are known to increase after rain events due to denitrification. Recent studies have projected changes in N2O fluxes, but these projections are still being explored. Understanding patterns and mechanisms for N2O fluxes from the soil is important for achieving sustainable agriculture, developing mitigation practices, and parameterizing biogeochemical models. Preliminary results will be presented.