Abstract
A Freon-12 tracer technique has been developed to measure gas-exchange coefficients for nitrous oxide volatilization in a reach of the Assabet River receiving the effluent of the Westborough, Mass. sewage treatment plant. Nitrous oxide in the atmosphere affects the destruction of stratospheric ozone and can contribute to climatic warming through a “greenhouse” effect. Stirred tank experiments were performed to determine the relative gas exchange coefficients of nitrous oxide (N2O), and Freon-12. The nitrous oxide degassing coefficients have been determined with greater certainty than is possible using predictive equations for river reaeration. Preliminary results suggest that wind can enhance the degassing rate in the river. The Freon-12 tracer technique facilitates the determination of the respective bio-geochemical roles of sediment and water column with respect to N2O production.
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Durán, A.P., Hemond, H.F. (1984). Dichlorodifluoromethane (Freon-12) as a Tracer for Nitrous Oxide Release from a Nitrogen-Enriched River. In: Brutsaert, W., Jirka, G.H. (eds) Gas Transfer at Water Surfaces. Water Science and Technology Library, vol 2. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1660-4_38
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1660-4_38
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