Methane production and consumption in loess soil at different slope position.

Methane (CH(4)) production and consumption and soil respiration in loess soils collected from summit (Top), back slope (Middle), and slope bottom (Bottom) positions were assessed in laboratory incubations. The CH(4) production potential was determined under conditions which can occur in the field (relatively short-term flooding periods with initially ambient O(2) concentrations), and the CH(4) oxidation potential was estimated in wet soils enriched with CH(4). None of the soils tested in this study emitted a significant amount of CH(4).