Soil organic matter dynamics in grassland soils under elevated CO2: Insights from long-term incubations and stable isotopes

Elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels generally stimulate carbon (C) uptake by plants, but the fate of this additional C largely remains unknown. This uncertainty is due in part to the difficulty in detecting small changes in soil carbon pools. We conducted a series of long-term (170-330 days) laboratory incubation experiments to examine changes in soil organic matter pool sizes and turnover rates in soil collected from an open-top chamber (OTC) elevated CO₂ study in Colorado shortgrass steppe. We measured concentration and isotopic composition of respired CO₂ and applied a two-pool exponential decay model to estimate pool sizes and turnover rates of active and slow C pools. The active and slow C pools of surface soils (5-10 cm depth) were increased by elevated CO₂, but turnover rates of these pools were not consistently altered. These findings indicate a potential for C accumulation in near-surface soil C pools under elevated CO₂. Stable isotopes provided evidence that elevated CO₂ did not alter the decomposition rate of new C inputs. Temporal variations in measured δ¹³C of respired CO₂ during incubation probably resulted mainly from the decomposition of changing mixtures of fresh residue and older organic matter. Lignin decomposition may have contributed to declining δ¹³C values late in the experiments. Isotopic dynamics during decomposition should be taken into account when interpreting δ¹³C measurements of soil respiration. Our study provides new understanding of soil C dynamics under elevated CO₂ through the use of stable C isotope measurements during microbial organic matter mineralization.     

基于固态13C核磁共振波谱研究植物残体分解和转化机制的进展

植物残体在土壤中的分解和转化影响了其养分归还和有机质形成过程。由于缺乏高分辨率的分析方法,对不同气候、植被和土壤类型条件下植物残体在分解过程中化学结构组成的演变特征和机制仍不清楚。核磁共振波谱技术在解析自然有机物化学组成方面具有独特的优势,本文综述了基于固态~(13)C核磁共振波谱(solid-state ~(13)C-NMR spectroscopy)技术评价植物残体的基质质量、解析植物残体的分解速率及其官能团组成的变化特征、揭示土壤腐殖质特性等方面的主要进展。未来针对植物残体分解和有机质形成机制的研究,应该结合稳定性同位素质谱和扫描电镜分析方法,综合分析植物残体中的有机化合物组成和物理结构;从多时空尺度揭示不同类型植物残体中有机碳官能团的降解路径;结合高通量测序和基因芯片分析方法,深入研究土壤微生物群落与植物残体化学结构的协同演变机制,提出不同气候–土壤–植被类型区促进土壤有机质形成的调控措施。     

Analysis of soil-vegetation systems' sensitivity to changes of climate-dependent carbon turnover parameters

 The nonlinear model of the carbon cycle in soils (NAMSOM) was used to analyze the sensitivity of soil organic matter levels to variations in carbon turnover parameters. We were able to predict the sensitivity of soil organic matter levels to variations of climate-dependent carbon turnover parameters, which allowed us to compare the sensitivity of soil organic matter levels to net primary productivity of plant communities and plant debris decomposition rate constants across the range of soils in the European part of Russia. The results indicate that meadow steppes show the lowest sensitivity to variations of these parameters. In passing from meadow steppes to the northern taiga and to semideserts, the sensitivity increases. In general, soil organic matter levels of boreal forest ecosystems are about 2–3 times more sensitive to input and decomposition of plant debris than to decomposition of humus. In subboreal grassland ecosystems the sensitivity to humus decomposition increases and becomes closer to the degree of sensitivity shown by soil organic matter levels to variations of productivity and decomposition of plant debris. The proposed method may be useful for predicting the response of ecosystems to climatic change. Received: 1 December 1997     

Temperature sensitivity of organic matter decomposition in two boreal forest soil profiles

Controversial conclusions from different studies suggest that the decomposition of old soil organic matter (SOM) is either more, less, or equally temperature sensitive compared to the younger SOM. Based on chemical kinetic theory, the decomposition of more recalcitrant materials should be more temperature sensitive, unless environmental factors limit decomposition. Here, we show results for boreal upland forest soils supporting this hypothesis. We detected differences in the temperature sensitivity 1) between soil layers varying in their decomposition stage and SOM quality, and 2) inside the layers during a 495 day laboratory incubation. Temperature sensitivity increased with increasing soil depth and decreasing SOM quality. In the organic layers, temperature sensitivity of decomposition increased during the early part of a 495 day laboratory incubation, after respiration rate and SOM quality had notably decreased. This indicates that decomposition of recalcitrant compounds was more temperature sensitive than that of the labile ones. Our results imply that Q₁₀ values for total heterotrophic soil respiration determined from short-term laboratory incubations can either underestimate or overestimate the temperature sensitivity of SOM decomposition, depending on soil layer, initial labile carbon content and temperature range used for the measurements. Using Q₁₀ values that ignore these factors in global climate models provides erroneous estimates on the effects of climate change on soil carbon storage.     

Relationship of soil organic matter dynamics to physical protection and tillage

Tillage has been reported to reduce organic matter concentrations and increase organic matter turnover rates to a variable extent. The change of soil climate and the incorporation of aboveground C inputs within the soil lead to no unique effect on biodegradation rates, because of their strong interaction with the regional climate and the soil physical properties. The periodical perturbation of soil structure by tools and the subsequent drying–rewetting cycles may be the major factor increasing organic matter decomposition rates by exposing the organic matter that is physically protected in microaggregates to biodegradation. This paper reviews the assessed effects of tillage on organic matter, the scale, extent and mechanisms of physical protection of organic matter in soils.     

植物残体向土壤有机质转化过程及其稳定机制的研究进展

土壤有机质的数量和质量不仅是衡量土壤肥力状况的核心要素,其形成、转化及稳定过程还与全球气候变化密切相关。植物残体是土壤有机质的初始来源,但由于其腐解过程的复杂、多变性以及土壤有机质、微生物的高度异质性,植物残体向土壤有机质的转化和稳定机理尚不十分明确。本文介绍并讨论了近年来关于植物残体向土壤有机质转化相关研究的新发现,探讨了微生物源和植物源有机质对土壤有机质的贡献,概述了土壤有机质形成的微生物驱动机制,并综述了植物残体输入后土壤有机质稳定性的相关研究,最后对该研究领域未来的发展进行展望,以期能够为科学地提高土壤的固碳能力提供参考。     

Abiotic drivers and their interactive effect on the flux and carbon isotope (C and δC) composition of peat-respired CO2

Feedbacks to global warming may cause terrestrial ecosystems to add to anthropogenic CO₂ emissions, thus exacerbating climate change. The contribution that soil respiration makes to these terrestrial emissions, particularly from carbon-rich soils such as peatlands, is of significant importance and its response to changing climatic conditions is of considerable debate. We collected intact soil cores from an upland blanket bog situated within the northern Pennines, England, UK and investigated the individual and interactive effects of three primary controls on soil organic matter decomposition: (i) temperature (5, 10 and 15 °C); (ii) moisture (50 and 100% field capacity – FC); and (iii) substrate quality, using increasing depth from the surface (0–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm) as an analogue for increased recalcitrance of soil organic material. Statistical analysis of the results showed that temperature, moisture and substrate quality all significantly affected rates of peat decomposition. Q₁₀ values indicated that the temperature sensitivity of older/more recalcitrant soil organic matter significantly increased (relative to more labile peat) under reduced soil moisture (50% FC) conditions, but not under 100% FC, suggesting that soil microorganisms decomposing the more recalcitrant soil material preferred more aerated conditions. Radiocarbon analyses revealed that soil decomposers were able to respire older, more recalcitrant soil organic matter and that the source of the material (deduced from the δ¹³C analyses) subject to decomposition, changed depending on depth in the peat profile.     

Turnover of organic matter in a Miscanthus field: effect of time in Miscanthus cultivation and inorganic nitrogen supply

To accurately predict the potential environmental benefits of energy crops, the sequestration of carbon in soil needs to be quantified. The aim of this study was to investigate the mineralisation rate of the perennial C₄ grass Miscanthus giganteus and Miscanthus-derived soil organic matter under contrasting nitrogen supply. Soils were collected from sites where Miscanthus had been grown for 11 and 18 years, respectively, and where a C₃-grass (Lolium spp.) had been grown for 7 years. The soils were incubated for 4 months at two levels of soil inorganic nitrogen with or without dead root material of Miscanthus.Addition of root material (residues) increased carbon mineralisation of indigenous organic matter when no nitrogen was added. Added inorganic nitrogen decreased carbon mineralisation in all soils. Nitrogen addition did not affect carbon mineralisation of the residues. Using the ¹³C fraction to calculate the proportion of respiratory CO₂ derived from Miscanthus showed that nitrogen addition decreased carbon mineralisation in soils, but it did not affect carbon mineralisation of the residues. Nitrogen mineralisation was highest in the C₃ grass soil without added residues. Nitrification decreased pH, especially in the treatments where nitrogen was added. The Miscanthus-derived organic matter is at least as stable as C₃ grassland-derived organic matter. Furthermore, the turnover time of the organic matter increases with time under Miscanthus cultivation.The CENTURY soil organic matter sub-model was used to simulate the organic matter decomposition in the experiment. Carbon mineralisation was accurately simulated but there were unexplained discrepancies in the simulation of the δ¹³C in the respiration from the treatment with residues. The δ¹³C in respiration did not decrease with time as predicted, indicating that lignin accumulation did not influence the measurements.     

气候变化对土壤有机碳库分子结构特征与稳定性影响研究进展

气候变化与土壤碳库之间的相互作用及耦合机制一直是学术界研究的热点与难点。虽然目前在群落—生态系统、区域—全球等不同尺度上开展了大量研究,然而在分子尺度上探究气候因子波动对土壤有机碳库化学结构特征影响机制方面却鲜有研究。本文综述了近年来气候因子变化及其导致的环境、生态因子变化与土壤有机碳库分子结构特征的关系。气温升高不仅将改变土壤中源自植物部分的有机碳来源特征,同时也会将加速土壤木质素等碳组分分解,排水或者旱化引起有机质分解加速,土壤中C=O键增加。植被演替、土壤动物及微生物等与气候变化密的切相关的生态因子则会影响输入土壤植被残体性质,加速糖类、脂类及木质素分解、并改变有机碳结构的生物分子标志物;土壤中有机碳稳定性与分子结构特征密切相关,土壤中具有高的苯环结构(芳香族化合物)及O-烷基碳通常表明土壤碳库具有更高的稳定性,而之前认为较为稳定的木质素等结构在气候变暖背景下可能并不稳定。未来研究中应着重关注与土壤有机碳分子标志物的识别与生态意义判读、生物对土壤有机碳分子结构转换过程的调控作用及机制、大尺度环境/生态过程与碳库分子结构转变的耦合机制及新的土壤有机碳分子结构辨识技术及判读等方面的研究。     

Soil Carbon Dynamics Under Changing Climate——A Research Transition from Absolute to Relative Roles of Inorganic Nitrogen Pools and Associated Microbial Processes: A Review

It is globally accepted that soil carbon (C) dynamics are at the core of interlinked environmental problems,deteriorating soil quality and changing climate.Its management remains a complex enigma for the scientific community due to its intricate relationship with soil nitrogen (N) availability and moisture-temperature interactions.This article reviews the management aspects of soil C dynamics in light of recent advances,particularly in relation to the availability of inorganic N pools and associated microbial processes under changing climate.Globally,drastic alterations in soil C dynamics under changing land use and management practices have been primarily attributed to the variation in soil N availability,resulting in a higher decomposition rate and a considerable decline in soil organic C (SOC) levels due to increased soil CO2 emissions,degraded soil quality,and increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations,leading to climate warming.Predicted climate warming is proposed to enhance SOC decomposition,which may further increase soil N availability,leading to higher soil CO2 efflux.However,a literature survey revealed that soil may also act as a potential C sink,if we could manage soil inorganic N pools and link microbial processes properly.Studies also indicated that the relative,rather than the absolute,availability of inorganic N pools might be of key importance under changing climate,as these N pools are variably affected by moisture-temperature interactions,and they have variable impacts on SOC turnover.Therefore,multi-factorial studies are required to understand how the relative availability of inorganic N pools and associated microbial processes may determine SOC dynamics for improved soil C management.     

Location and chemical composition of stabilized organic carbon in topsoil and subsoil horizons of two acid forest soils

The ¹⁴C age of soil organic matter is known to increase with soil depth. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the stabilization of carbon compounds in the entire soil profile using particle size fractionation to distinguish SOM pools with different turnover rates. Samples were taken from a Dystric Cambisol and a Haplic Podzol under forest, which are representative soil types under humid climate conditions. The conceptual approach included the analyses of particle size fractions of all mineral soil horizons for elemental composition and chemical structure of the organic matter by ¹³C cross-polarization magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (CPMAS NMR) spectroscopy. The contribution of phenols and hydroxyalkanoic acids, which represent recalcitrant plant litter compounds, was analyzed after CuO oxidation.In the Dystric Cambisol, the highest carbon concentration as well as the highest percentage of total organic carbon are found in the <6.3 μm fractions of the B and C horizons. In the Haplic Podzol, carbon distribution among the particle size fractions of the Bh and Bvs horizons is influenced by the adsorption of dissolved organic matter. A relationship between the carbon enrichment in fractions <6.3 μm and the ¹⁴C activity of the bulk soil indicates that stabilization of SOM occurs in fine particle size fractions of both soils. ¹³C CPMAS NMR spectroscopy shows that a high concentration of alkyl carbon is present in the fine particle size fractions of the B horizons of the Dystric Cambisol. Decreasing contribution of O-alkyl and aromatic carbon with particle size as well as soil depth indicates that these compounds are not stabilized in the Dystric Cambisol. These results are in accordance with data obtained by wet chemical analyses showing that cutin/suberin-derived hydroxyalkanoic acids are preserved in the fine particle size fractions of the B horizons. The organic matter composition in particle size fractions of the top- and subsoil horizons of the Haplic Podzol shows that this soil is acting like a chromatographic system preserving insoluble alkyl carbon in the fine particle size fractions of the A horizon. Small molecules, most probably organic acids, dominate in the fine particle size fractions of the C horizons, where they are stabilized in clay-sized fractions most likely due to the interaction with the mineral phase. The characterization of lignin-derived phenols indicated, in accordance with the NMR measurements, that these compounds are not stabilized in the mineral soil horizons.     

Stock, turnover time and accumulation of organic matter in bulk and density fractions of a Podzol soil

Temperate forest soils store large amounts of organic matter and are considered as net sinks for atmospheric carbon dioxide. Information about the sink strength and the turnover time of soil organic carbon (SOC) is required to assess the potential response of soils to climate change. Here we report on stocks, turnover times (TT) and accumulation of SOC in bulk soil and density fractions from genetic horizons of a Podzol in the Fichtelgebirge, Germany. Stocks of SOC, total nitrogen and exchangeable cations determined in nine quantitative soil pits strongly varied with stone content and thickness of horizons in both the organic layer and the mineral soil. On the basis of radiocarbon signatures, mean turnover times of 4, 9 and 133 years, respectively, were calculated for Oi, Oe and Oa horizons from three soil pits, using a non-steady-state model. The Oa horizons accumulated 4–8 g C m⁻² year⁻¹ whereas the Oi and Oe horizons were close to steady-state during the past decade. Free particulate organic matter (FPOM) was the most abundant fraction in the Oa and EA horizons with TT of 70–480 years. In the B horizons, mineral associated organic matter (MAOM) dominated with over 40% of total SOC and had TT of 390–2170 years. In contrast to other horizons, MAOM in the Bsh and Bs horizon had generally faster TT than occluded particulate organic matter (OPOM), possibly because of sorption of dissolved organic carbon by iron and aluminium oxides/hydroxides. Our results suggest that organic horizons with relatively short turnover times could be particularly vulnerable to changes in climate or other disturbances.     

Priming effects: Interactions between living and dead organic matter

In this re-evaluation of our 10-year old paper on priming effects, I have considered the latest studies and tried to identify the most important needs for future research. Recent publications have shown that the increase or decrease in soil organic matter mineralization (measured as changes of CO₂ efflux and N mineralization) actually results from interactions between living (microbial biomass) and dead organic matter. The priming effect (PE) is not an artifact of incubation studies, as sometimes supposed, but is a natural process sequence in the rhizosphere and detritusphere that is induced by pulses or continuous inputs of fresh organics. The intensity of turnover processes in such hotspots is at least one order of magnitude higher than in the bulk soil. Various prerequisites for high-quality, informative PE studies are outlined: calculating the budget of labeled and total C; investigating the dynamics of released CO₂ and its sources; linking C and N dynamics with microbial biomass changes and enzyme activities; evaluating apparent and real PEs; and assessing PE sources as related to soil organic matter stabilization mechanisms. Different approaches for identifying priming, based on the assessment of more than two C sources in CO₂ and microbial biomass, are proposed and methodological and statistical uncertainties in PE estimation and approaches to eliminating them are discussed. Future studies should evaluate directions and magnitude of PEs according to expected climate and land-use changes and the increased rhizodeposition under elevated CO₂ as well as clarifying the ecological significance of PEs in natural and agricultural ecosystems. The conclusion is that PEs - the interactions between living and dead organic matter - should be incorporated in models of C and N dynamics, and that microbial biomass should regarded not only as a C pool but also as an active driver of C and N turnover.     

Input related microbial carbon dynamic of soil organic matter in particle size fractions

This paper investigated the flow of carbon into different groups of soil microorganisms isolated from different particle size fractions. Two agricultural sites of contrasting organic matter input were compared. Both soils had been submitted to vegetation change from C3 (Rye/Wheat) to C4 (Maize) plants, 25 and 45 years ago. Soil carbon was separated into one fast-degrading particulate organic matter fraction (POM) and one slow-degrading organo-mineral fraction (OMF). The structure of the soil microbial community were investigated using phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA), and turnover of single PLFAs was calculated from the changes in their ¹³C content. Soil enzyme activities involved in the degradation of carbohydrates was determined using fluorogenic MUF (methyl-umbelliferryl phosphate) substrates.We found that fresh organic matter input drives soil organic matter dynamic. Higher annual input of fresh organic matter resulted in a higher amount of fungal biomass in the POM-fraction and shorter mean residence times. Fungal activity therefore seems essential for the decomposition and incorporation of organic matter input into the soil. As a consequence, limited litter input changed especially the fungal community favoring arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Altogether, supply and availability of fresh plant carbon changed the distribution of microbial biomass, the microbial community structure and enzyme activities and resulted in different priming of soil organic matter.Most interestingly we found that only at low input the OMF fraction had significantly higher calculated MRT for Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria suggesting high recycling of soil carbon or the use of other carbon sources. But on average all microbial groups had nearly similar carbon uptake rates in all fractions and both soils, which contrasted the turnover times of bulk carbon. Hereby the microbial carbon turnover was always faster than the soil organic carbon turnover and higher carbon input reduced the carbon storage efficiency from 51% in the low input to 20%. These findings suggest that microbial community preferentially assimilated fresh carbon sources but also used recycled existing soil carbon. However, the priming rate was drastically reduced under carbon limitation. In consequence at high carbon availability more carbon was respired to activate the existing soil carbon (priming) whereas at low carbon availability new soil carbon was formed at higher efficiencies.     

Analysis of changes in organic carbon in mineral soils across England and Wales using a simple single‐pool model

We use a simple single‐pool model of soil carbon turnover to evaluate possible explanations for the widespread changes in the organic carbon contents of mineral soils across England and Wales, measured in the National Soil Inventory between 1978 and 2003. We provide a means of quantifying the changes in rates of soil organic carbon decomposition in relation to inputs from vegetation required to explain the results. We find that neither changes in decomposition resulting from the effects of climate change on soil temperature and moisture, nor changes in input, could by themselves account for the overall trends. Past changes in land use and management were more likely explanations. Any climate‐change signal is masked by these other changes.     

On the potential CO2 release from tundra soils in a changing climate

About 30% of the carbon in terrestrial ecosystems is stored in northern wetlands and boreal forest regions. Prevailing cold and wet soil conditions have largely been responsible for this carbon accumulation. It has been suggested that a warmer and drier climate in these regions might increase the decomposition rate and, hence, release more CO₂ to the atmosphere than at present. This study reports on the spatial variability and temperature dependence of the potential carbon release after incubating highly organic soils from the European Arctic and Siberia at different temperatures. We found that the decay potential, measured as CO₂ production in laboratory experiments, differed strongly within and among sites, particularly at higher soil temperatures. Furthermore, both the decay potential and its temperature response decreased significantly with depth in the soil, presumably because the older soils at deeper layers contained higher proportions of recalcitrant carbon than the younger soil organic matter at the surface. These results have implications for global models of potential feedbacks on climate change inferred from changes in the carbon balance of northern wetlands and tundra. Firstly, because the decay potential of the organic matter varies locally as well as regionally, predictions of how the tundra carbon balance may change will be unreliable if these are based on measurements at a few sites only. Secondly, any increase in CO₂ production may be transitional as both the carbon flux and its temperature sensitivity decrease when the most easily degradable organic material near the soil surface has decomposed. Consequently, it is crucial to account for transient responses and regional differences in the models of potential feedbacks on climate change from changed carbon cycling in northern terrestrial ecosystems.     

Long-term nitrogen additions increased surface soil carbon concentration in a forest plantation despite elevated decomposition

Forests cover one-third of the Earth’s land surface and account for 30-40% of soil carbon (C). Despite numerous studies, questions still remain about the factors controlling forest soil C turnover. Present understanding of global C cycle is limited by considerable uncertainty over the potential response of soil C dynamics to rapid nitrogen (N) enrichment of ecosystems, mainly from fuel combustion and fertilizer application. Here, we present a 15-year-long field study and show an average increase of 14.6% in soil C concentration in the 0-5 cm mineral soil layer in N fertilized (defined as N+ hereafter) sub-plots of a second-rotation Pinus radiata plantation in New Zealand compared to control sub-plots. The results of ¹⁴C and lignin analyses of soil C indicate that N additions significantly accelerate decomposition of labile and recalcitrant soil C. Using an annual-time step model, we estimated the soil C turnover time. In the N+ sub-plots, soil C in the light (a density < 1.70 g cm⁻³) and heavy fractions had the mean residence times of 23 and 67 yr, respectively, which are lower than those in the control sub-plots (36 and 133 yr in the light and heavy fractions, respectively). The commonly used lignin oxidation indices (vanillic acid to vanillin and syringic acid to syringaldehyde ratios) were significantly greater in the N+ sub-plots than in the control sub-plots, suggesting increased lignin decomposition due to fertilization. The estimation of C inputs to forest floor and δ¹³C analysis of soil C fractions indicate that the observed buildup of surface soil C concentrations in the N+ sub-plots can be attributed to increased inputs of C mass from forest debris. We conclude that long-term N additions in productive forests may increase C storage in both living tree biomass and soils despite elevated decomposition of soil organic matter.     

陆地碳循环中的微生物分解作用及其影响因素

土壤微生物是有机物的主要分解者,在陆地生态系统碳循环中扮演着重要角色,土壤微生物活性与底物性质和环境因子密切相关,环境条件的改变对微生物的分解活动影响很大。本文概述了制约有机物分解的因素,包括有机物自身的物理化学性质、非生物因素(温度、水分和通气状况、pH值、粘粒含量、激发效应等)和生物因素等。人为活动(如土地利用/覆被变化)和气候变暖对土壤微生物活性具有一定的影响并产生相应的陆地碳循环变化。最后提出了陆地生态系统碳循环与土壤微生物驱动相关联的研究热点问题。     

Movement and turnover of soil organic matter as indicated by carbon isotope measurements

The distribution in a New Zealand pasture soil of total organic carbon, of ¹³C/¹²C and ¹⁴C/¹²C ratios, up to a depth of l m and over a period of 15 yr, has been analysed to provide models for radiocarbon enrichment and organic matter turnover. For the enrichment model, the parameters of C input, rates of decomposition and diffusion down the soil profile, and turnover rates have been determined. Input rates are compatible with herbage productivity measurements; the turnover period is estimated as 63 yr, and the downward diffusivity of C is estimated at 13cm² yr^?1. The steady state model indicates that a small fraction of the soil organic C, about 16%, is relatively very old and uniformly distributed throughout the soil profile. Most of the remaining fraction of modern C, other than “bomb” C, is less than 100 yr old and decreases exponentially with increasing depth. The models provide a rational integration of empirical measurements of C input, rates of organic matter decomposition, diffusivity and turnover, enabling an unknown to be calculated from measured parameters. They also provide a rational and precise method for determining the age of soil organic matter from radiocarbon measurements and have been used to examine alternative hypotheses for the distribution of UC with depth.     

应用~(13)C核磁共振技术研究土壤有机质化学结构进展

土壤有机质化学结构对准确评价土壤有机质的稳定性及其在土壤中的功能具有重要意义。土壤有机质化学结构的研究方法中,固态~(13)C核磁共振波谱技术(Solid-state ~(13)C-NMR spectroscopy)具有独特优势,对土壤有机质化学结构的解析更贴近真实状态,近年来已取得诸多新进展和新突破。综述了近年来应用~(13)C-NMR测定土壤全土、团聚体和密度组分、腐殖质组分的有机碳化学结构特征,分析了影响化学结构变化的因素。不同气候条件、植被类型、土地利用管理方式、土壤类型、土壤有机碳含量的全土中有机碳化学结构比较相似,均表现为烷氧碳比例最高,其次为烷基碳和芳香碳,羧基羰基碳比例最低。土壤有机碳主要来源于外源植物残体,植物残体化学结构的相似性可能是导致土壤有机碳化学结构相似的主要原因,环境条件、土壤自身属性和微生物活性的差异使土壤有机碳化学结构产生微小差异。土壤颗粒及化学组分间的有机碳分子结构差异较大,大颗粒有机碳中烷氧碳比例最高,小粒径及与矿物颗粒结合的有机碳中烷基碳和羧基羰基碳比例更高,粉黏粒和腐殖酸组分的有机碳化学结构在土壤类型间差异较大。今后的研究重点应更多地关注土壤有机质来源的定量化分析、土壤微生物对土壤有机碳组分和结构稳定性的贡献及调控机制、土壤有机碳稳定性的生物物理化学保护机制、空间大尺度环境因子/土壤生态过程与微观尺度的有机碳化学分子结构的耦合作用机制、跨学科的多种土壤有机碳化学分子结构测定辨识技术等方面的研究。