N2O

I just finished up my Master's, which focused on N2O emissions. My thesis begins with a very broad introduction, moves to a field study, and then narrows down to a mesocosm study. Research is ongoing on a smaller scale, as I was attempting to quantify nirS, nirK, and nosZ genes and transcripts from soil samples taken every 24 hours from the mesocosm described in chapter 3. Still sort of working on that.

If you get to the discussion sections, there is quite a bit of microbial speculation in this thesis. At the very least, feel free to use this document as a source of references.

A critical gap in making progress toward ecologically beneficial farming practices is an explicit understanding of how soils store carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) over the long term. Farmers are facing new challenges that require management practices for improving soil quality, increasing both belowground (live roots) and aboveground (live cover) biomass, increasing soil organic matter, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To identify optimal man¬agement strategies, an understanding of microbial processes that regulate C and N cycling is essential.