Abstract
The estimation of nitrous oxide emissions is complicated by the high degree of uncertainty on the emission factors involved and by the limited acquaintance with all significant nitrous oxide sources. A potentially important source for which emission data are lacking is the sewage system transporting waste water from human activities. For this study an experimental measurement campaign has been carried out on waste water sampled at different sewage treatment plants. The nitrous oxide developing from the water samples was monitored by means of gas chromatography. The methodological analysis was based on the concentration/time curves obtained. Our results indicate that the formation of nitrous oxide from the waste water matrices results from microbiological denitrification. We deduced tentative emission factors for the waste water types studied.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Debruyn et al.: 1994, ‘The measurement of nitrous oxide emissions from sewage systems in Belgium’, Fertilizer Research, in press.
Krauth et al.: 1993, ‘N2O in Kläranlagen’, Korrespondenz Abwasser 11/93, 1777–1791.
Lehninger, Biochemistry, Worth publishers.
McKenney et al.: 1984, ‘Effect of temperature on consecutive denitrification reactions in Brookston clay and Fox sandy loam’, Appl. and Environm. Microbiol., 919–926.
Stanford et al.: 1975, ‘Effect of temperature on denitrification rates in soils’, Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. Proc. 39, 867–870.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Debruyn, W., Lissens, G., van Rensbergen, J. et al. Nitrous oxide emissions from waste water. Environ Monit Assess 31, 159–165 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00547192
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00547192