Net Carbon Flux of a Higher Education Institute: Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Aims: To account the synthesis of carbon sequestration, carbon emissions, and net carbon flux with respect to an agricultural higher education institute in a tropical region. Place and Duration of Study: Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, between May 2019 and August 2019. Methodology: The onsite carbon flux estimated for emissions and fixations by considering the Faculty of Agriculture (FoA) and the farm premises as a closed system. Net carbon flux is the difference between CO2 sequestered and the total CO2 emissions. The carbon flux was calculated as Δ CO2 = ET +RH + EF- ST. Where; ET is CO2 emission from vehicles, RH is CO2 emission from human respiration, EF is CO2 emission from farm operations and ST is sequestered carbon in trees and turfs. As the carbon sinks; all palm trees, turf and large trees were used. The tillage methods, land-use practices, crop management practices in the farm were considered as carbon sources. And also, the respiration of faculty staff and students and transportation within the faculty were considered as sources of carbon. All the measurements in data collection, estimations of carbon storage and emissions were estimated as per the available methods and equations used in similar studies. Results: The total CO2 equivalent was 771.82 Mg. The total CO2 emission was 164.9 Mg. Therefore, the Net carbon flux was found as 606.92 Mg for the faculty in 2019. Conclusion: The faculty is a green one which has a positive net carbon flux. The methodology used in the study can be applied for assessment of carbon stock in other educational institutes in Sri Lankan context with special reference to agricultural education.