Model evaluation of different mechanisms driving freeze–thaw N2O emissions

N₂O emissions from soil contribute significantly to global warming. Pulse emissions of N₂O from soils during freeze-thawing were recently recognized as important atmospheric sources. In this modelling study we explore three different hypotheses for explaining freeze–thaw related N₂O emissions: (1) soil frost or snow cover may reduce gas diffusion and create anaerobic conditions that stimulate N₂O production via denitrification, (2) microbes that die of frost deliver easy decomposable organic carbon and nitrogen to the soil, which stimulates microbial growth and vigorous N₂O production during freeze–thaw, and (3) the enzyme nitrous oxide reductase, which is responsible for the reduction of N₂O to N₂ during denitrification, is more sensitive to low temperatures than other enzymes, so that N₂O becomes the dominating end-product of denitrification at low temperatures. These hypotheses were tested with a biogeochemical model that combines hydrology and physics calculations with a newly developed, parameter-poor biochemistry module. The model was first calibrated with field datasets on soil–atmosphere fluxes of N₂O, NO and CO₂ and soil NO₃ and NH₄ concentrations that were measured in a spruce forest in Southeast Germany in the years 1994–1997. Subsequently, additional model mechanisms were implemented that allow the model to describe the outlined mechanisms potentially driving freeze–thaw N₂O fluxes. After each implementation the model was recalibrated. We were able to mimic dimension and timing of high N₂O emissions when either one of the first two hypotheses were assumed, but found no confirmation for the third. The best model fit was achieved by combining hypothesis one and two, indicating that freeze–thaw N₂O emissions are not mono-causal.