The UV‐absorbance of dissolved organic matter predicts the fivefold variation in its affinity for mobilizing Cu in an agricultural soil horizon

It is well established that dissolved organic matter (DOM) mobilizes copper (Cu) in soils but it is unknown to what extent variable DOM quality affects this. During a 5 month period, 250 leachates of an uncontaminated agricultural soil were sampled at 45 cm depth using passive capillary wick samplers. The dissolved Cu and organic carbon (DOC) concentrations varied sevenfold and were weakly correlated (r = 0.56). The [Cu] : [DOC] ratio varied fivefold and exhibited a significant positive correlation (r = 0.77) with the specific UV‐absorbance of DOM at 254 nm (SUVA), indicating that the more aromatic DOM had higher Cu affinity. The dissolved Cu concentrations were predicted by an assemblage model in WHAM6 using the composition of the solid phase above the wick samplers and that of the solution, including DOC. The predicted [Cu] : [DOC] ratio was almost constant when assuming default DOM properties with 65% of all DOM active as fulvic acid (%AFA). The %AFA was subsequently varied proportionally to the SUVA of DOM and using the SUVA of pure FA (SUVA_FA) as a fitting parameter. In that case, the variation in the predicted [Cu] : [DOC] ratio was much larger and the predicted Cu concentrations were within a factor of 1.4 of the measured values for 90% of the samples. The fitted SUVA_FA was 38 l g^?1 cm^?1, in excellent agreement with that of Suwannee River FA (SUVA_FA = 37 l g^?1 cm^?1). It is concluded that the DOM quality, e.g. the aromaticity, should be taken into account when estimating Cu mobility in soils.     

Molecular weight and humification index as predictors of adsorption for plant- and manure-derived dissolved organic matter to goethite

Sorptive retention of organic matter is important in maintaining the fertility and quality of soils in agricultural ecosystems. However, few sorption studies have been conducted that use dissolved organic matter (DOM) characteristic of agricultural amendments. We investigated the sorption to goethite (α‐FeOOH) of DOM extracted from: (i) above‐ground biomass of wheat straw (Triticum aestivum L.), maize residue (Zea mays L.), soybean residue (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), and hairy vetch residue (Vivia billosa L.); (ii) below‐ground biomass from maize, soybean, canola (Brassica napus L.), and green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.); and (iii) beef, dairy, poultry, and pig animal manures. The apparent molecular weight (MW_AP) of the DOM was measured by high performance‐size exclusion chromatography and ranged from 312 to 1074 g mol⁻¹. The carboxyl‐group content of the DOM measured by potentiometric titration ranged from 4.84 to 21.38 mmol₍₋₎ g⁻¹ carbon. The humification index (HIX) determined by fluorescence spectrometry varied from 1.15 to 4.33. Sorption was directly related to both MW_AP and HIX values of the DOM. Molecular weight analysis of the solution prior to and after sorption indicated that the DOM molecules > 1800 g mol⁻¹ were preferentially sorbed, resulting in fractionation of the DOM upon reaction with goethite. The multiple regression equation, based only on MW_AP and HIX parameters, explained 76% of the variance in amount of DOM sorbed. The results indicate that MW_AP and HIX are important factors in controlling the sorption of DOM to mineral surfaces. Amendment with materials that release DOM of higher molecular weight and greater humification will result in enhanced initial sorption of DOM to soil solids, thereby contributing to accumulation of a larger soil organic C pool.     

Release of glucose from dissolved and mineral-bound organic matter by enzymatic hydrolysis

Sorption of dissolved organic matter (DOM) by poorly crystalline minerals during their formation may protect large amounts of carbon in soils from mineralization. We investigated the bioavailability of carbohydrates in DOM and after co-precipitation with short-range ordered aluminosilicates. Carbohydrates originated from soil solutions collected in situ at two depths of a Dystric Cambisol, and from litter extracts. Quantification of substrate-specific degradability was achieved by the addition of β-glucosidase at an optimal concentration and subsequent determination of glucose release. Depending on DOM composition, 0.6–41.4 mg g⁻¹ C⁻¹ of glucose was enzymatically released from dissolved carbohydrates. Co-precipitated carbohydrates were partially accessible, resulting in a glucose release of 0.7–5.2 mg g⁻¹ C⁻¹. Restricted enzymatic depolymerization due to co-precipitation may contribute to accumulation of easily degradable substrates in soils.     

再生水地下回灌过程中溶解性有机物的去除研究

在实验室通过模拟方法研究了城市再生水地下回灌后的水质变化,重点分析了土壤含水层处理（SAT）对再生水中溶解性有机物（DOM）及消毒副产物的前体物去除效果。结果表明,在系统稳定时期,SAT对溶解性有机碳（DOC）平均去除率为37.2%。利用XAD树脂分离出再生水中占最主要DOM的3个部分：疏水性有机酸（HPOA）、过渡亲水性有机酸（TPIA）和亲水性有机物（HPI）。HPOA、TPIA和HPI在SAT中去除率分别为33.9%、21.5%和44.1%。再生水有较高的消毒副产物生成势（BPDFP）,经过SAT后三卤甲烷生成势THMFP和卤乙酸生成势HAAFP分别降低了11.0%和21.5%,但单位质量DOC的BPDFP却升高了,Specific THMFP和Specific HAAFP分别增大了42.4%和25.7%。即经过SAT处理后再生水中的消毒副产物的前体物浓度会减少,但是剩下的难降解的DOM有更高的氯化活性。     

Factors controlling the partitioning of pyrene to dissolved organic matter extracted from different soils

The mobility of hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) in soils can be influenced by the presence of dissolved organic matter (DOM). While numerous studies have determined interactions of HOCs with humic and fulvic acids, only few data exist on the partitioning of HOCs to natural, non‐fractionated DOM as it occurs in soil solutions. In this study, DOM was extracted from 17 soil samples with a broad range of chemical and physical properties, originating from different land uses. The partition coefficients of pyrene to DOM were determined in all soil extracts and for two commercial humic acids using the fluorescence quenching method. For the soil extracts, log K_DOC values ranged from 3.2 to 4.5 litres kg^?1. For the Aldrich and Fluka humic acids, log K_DOC was 4.98 and 4.96 litres kg^?1, respectively, thus indicating that they are not representative for soil DOM. After excluding these two values, the statistical analysis of the data showed a significant negative correlation between log K_DOC and pH. This was also shown for one sample where the pH was adjusted to values ranging from 3 to 9. A multiple regression analysis suggested that ultraviolet absorbance at 280 nm (an indicator for aromaticity) and the E4:E6 ratio (an indicator for molecular weight) had additional effects on log K_DOC. The results indicate that the partitioning of pyrene to DOM is reduced at alkaline pH, probably due to the increased polarity of the organic macromolecules resulting from the deprotonation of functional groups. Only within a narrow pH range was the K_DOC of pyrene mainly related to the aromaticity of DOM.     

Physico-chemical and biological controls on dissolved organic matter in peat aggregate columns

We investigated the importance of physico‐chemical mechanisms responsible for the release of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from a peaty soil. Columns containing peat aggregates (embedded within a sand matrix) provided an experimental system in which both convective and diffusive processes contributed to DOM leaching. The use of aggregated peat avoided the problems associated with traditional batch equilibration experiments in which soil structure is destroyed. Biotic and abiotic processes operating in the columns were manipulated by working with two unsterilized columns (at 5°C and 22°C) and one gamma irradiation‐sterilized column (5°C). Continuous solute flows (< 80 hours) and periods of flow interruption (five interruptions of 6 hours to 384 hours) were applied to the columns (using a 1‐mm NaCl electrolyte) to investigate mechanisms of diffusion‐controlled release of DOM. For all columns, dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen (DOC and DON) effluent concentrations increased after resumption of flow and the maximum concentrations increased with increased flow‐interruption duration. Measurements of effluent UV absorbance (λ= 285 nm) showed that the DOM leached immediately after the flow interruptions contained fewer aromatic moieties of lower molecular weight than the DOM leached after periods of steady flow. The sterilized column had larger DOC and DON effluent concentration spikes than those from the unsterilized column at 5°C (38 mg C dm⁻³ and 6.5 mg N dm⁻³ versus 13 mg C dm⁻³ and 6.5 mg N dm⁻³ after the 384 hours flow interruption). This result suggested that the concentrations of DOM resulting from physico‐chemical release mechanisms (sterilized column) were attenuated by biological activity (unsterilized columns). Our results indicate that the peat’s microporous structure provides reservoirs of DOM that interact with solute in transport pores via abiotic, rate‐controlled mass transport. Hence, diffusion can influence the quantity and composition of DOM leached from peat in the field depending on intensity and duration of rainfall.     

Quantification of long‐chain fatty acids in dissolved organic matter and soils

The objective was to develop and adapt a versatile analytical method for the quantification of solvent extractable, saturated long‐chain fatty acids in aquatic and terrestrial environments. Fulvic (FA) and humic (HA) acids, dissolved organic matter (DOM) in water, as well as organic matter in whole soils (SOM) of different horizons were investigated. The proposed methodology comprised extraction by dichloromethane/acetone and derivatization with tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and library searches. The C_10:0 to C_34:0 methyl esters of n‐alkyl fatty acids were used as external standards for calibration. The total concentrations of C_14:0 to C_28:0 n‐alkyl fatty acids were determined in DOM obtained by reverse‐osmosis of Suwannee river water (309.3 μg g^—1), in freeze‐dried brown lake water (180.6 μg g^—1), its DOM concentrate (93.0 μg g^—1), humic acid (43.1 μg g^—1), and fulvic acid (42.5 μg g^—1). The concentrations of the methylated fatty acids (n‐C_16:0 to n‐C_28:0) were significantly (r² = 0.9999) correlated with the proportions of marker signals (% total ion intensity (TII), m/z 256 to m/z 508) in the corresponding pyrolysis‐field ionization (FI) mass spectra. The concentrations of terrestrial C_10:0 to C_34:0 n‐alkyl fatty acids from four soil samples ranged from 0.02 μg g^—1 to 11 μg g^—1. The total concentrations of the extractable fatty acids were quantified from a Podzol Bh horizon (26.2 μg g^—1), Phaeozem Ap unfertilized (48.1 μg g^—1), Phaeozem Ap fertilized (57.7 μg g^—1), and Gleysol Ap (66.7 μg g^—1). Our results demonstrate that the method is well suited to investigate the role of long‐chain fatty acids in humic fractions, whole soils and their particle‐size fractions and can be serve for the differentiation of plant growth and soil management.     

Dissolved organic matter leaching in some contrasting New Zealand pasture soils

Leaching of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from pastoral soils is increasingly seen as an important but poorly understood process. This paper examined the relationship between soil chemical properties, microbial activity and the losses of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON) through leaching from six pasture soils. These soils differed in carbon (C) (4.6–14.9%) and nitrogen (N) (0.4–1.4%) contents and in the amount of organic C and N that had accumulated or been lost in the preceding 20+ years (i.e. −5131 to +1624 kg C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ and −263 to +220 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, respectively). The paper also examined whether between‐soil‐type differences in DOC and DON leaching was a major explanatory factor in the observed range of soil organic matter (SOM) changes in these soils. Between 280 and 1690 kg C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ and 28–117 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ leached as DOC and DON, respectively, from the six soils in a lysimeter study, with losses being greater from two poorly drained gley soils. Losses of C and N of this magnitude, while at the upper end relative to published data, could not fully explain the losses at Rawerawe, Bruntwood and Lepperton sites reported by Schipper et al. (2007) . The study highlights the leaching of DOM as a significant pathway of loss of C and N in pasture soils that is often ignored or given little attention in predictive models and nutrient budgeting. Leaching losses of DOC and DON alone, or in combination with slightly increased respiration losses of SOM given a 0.2°C increase in the mean annual soil temperature, do not fully explain long‐term changes in the SOM observed at these sites. When soils examined in the present study were separated on the basis of drainage class, the losses of DOC by leaching were correlated with both total and hot‐water extractable C (HWC), the latter being a measure of the labile SOM fraction. Basal microbial CO₂ respiration rates, which varied between 1 and 3.5 µg CO₂‐C g⁻¹ soil hour⁻¹ in surface soils (0–75‐mm depth), was also linked to HWC and the quantities of C lost as DOC. Adoption of the HWC method as an approach that could be used as a proxy for the direct measurement of the soil organic C lost by leaching as DOC or respired needs to be examined further with a greater number of soils. In comparison, a poor relationship was found between the hot‐water extractable N (HWN) and loss of DON by leaching, despite HWN previously being shown to be a measure of the mineralizable pool of N in soils, possibly reflecting the greater competition for N than C in these soils.     

Predicting pasture root density from soil spectral reflectance: field measurement

This paper reports the development and evaluation of a field technique for in situ measurement of root density using a portable spectroradiometer. The technique was evaluated at two sites in permanent pasture on contrasting soils (an Allophanic and a Fluvial Recent soil) in the Manawatu region, New Zealand. Using a modified soil probe, reflectance spectra (350–2500 nm) were acquired from horizontal surfaces at three depths (15, 30 and 60 mm) of an 80‐mm diameter soil core, totalling 108 samples for both soils. After scanning, 3‐mm soil slices were taken at each depth for root density measurement and soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) analysis. The two soils exhibited a wide range of root densities from 1.53 to 37.03 mg dry root g⁻¹ soil. The average root density in the Fluvial soil (13.21 mg g⁻¹) was twice that in the Allophanic soil (6.88 mg g⁻¹). Calibration models, developed using partial least squares regression (PLSR) of the first derivative spectra and reference data, were able to predict root density on unknown samples using a leave‐one‐out cross‐validation procedure. The root density predictions were more accurate when the samples from the two soil types were separated (rather than grouped) to give sub‐populations (n = 54) of spectral data with more similar attributes. A better prediction of root density was achieved in the Allophanic soil (r² = 0.83, ratio prediction to deviation (RPD ) = 2.44, root mean square error of cross‐validation (RMSECV ) = 1.96 mg g ⁻¹) than in the Fluvial soil (r² = 0.75, RPD = 1.98, RMSECV = 5.11 mg g ⁻¹). It is concluded that pasture root density can be predicted from soil reflectance spectra acquired from field soil cores. Improved PLSR models for predicting field root density can be produced by selecting calibration data from field data sources with similar spectral attributes to the validation set. Root density and soil C content can be predicted independently, which could be particularly useful in studies examining potential rates of soil organic matter change.     

The contribution of stone cover to biological activity in the Negev desert,Israel

Ancient valley agriculture in the northern Negev highlands was based on the principle of directed collection of water and eroded material from the slopes and their consequent flow towards the valleys. The stones on these slopes were therefore removed and/or collected into piles known as ‘grape mounds’. The aim of this study was to understand the contribution of stone cover and slope‐facing to biological activity in soil. Soil samples from a depth of 0–5 mm from the soil surface were collected during the study period (December 1994–March 1996) from northern and southern hill slopes, from under limestones and between stones. Soil moisture, organic matter, chlorophyll‐a and soil respiration were determined. The results obtained in field and laboratory studies demonstrated differences between the northern and southern slopes. The stone cover on the northern slope made up 33 per cent and in the southern slope 23 per cent, stone size ranging from 15–50 cm² and 15–35 cm², respectively. Soil moisture content varied from 12 per cent in December 1994 on both slopes to one‐quarter of the initial value during the dry period. Organic matter content reached a maximal level of 14 per cent and 16 per cent on the northern and southern slopes, respectively. Values of chlorophyll‐a on both the northern and southern slopes were 0.38 μg g⁻¹ dry soil during the wet season, decreasing to 0.05 μg g⁻¹ dry soil during the dry period. Soil samples from under the stones on both slopes produced high levels of CO₂, ranging between 50 and 100 μg CO₂ g;⁻¹ dry soil h⁻¹, whereas in the control samples the levels ranged between 30 and 70 μg CO₂ g⁻¹ dry soil h⁻¹. In conclusion, the stone cover apparently plays an important role in the maintenance of biological activity through its contribution to slope biotope stability. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of polynuclear aromatic and aliphatic components in soil humic acids using ruthenium tetroxide oxidation

Although condensed aromatic components are considered to be one of the major structural units of soil humic acids (HAs) and to be responsible for the dark colour of HAs, their amount and composition remain largely unknown. In ruthenium tetroxide oxidation (RTO), condensed aromatic components are detectable as their degradation products, mainly benzenepolycarboxylic acids (BPCAs). We applied this technique to soil HAs with various degrees of humification (darkening). The yields of water‐ and dichloromethane‐soluble products from HAs upon RTO after methylation ranged from 210 to 430 mg g⁻¹ and 10–40 mg g⁻¹, respectively. Eight kinds of BPCAs with two to six carboxyl groups, and seven kinds of BPCAs with additional side chains (tentative assignment) were obtained as methylated counterparts. The yield of each BPCA and the sum of the yields of BPCAs (12–85 mg g⁻¹ HAs) increased with increasing degree of humification and aromatic C content. The compositions of BPCAs indicated that the degree of condensation was greater in the HAs with greater degrees of humification. The sum of the yields of aliphatic compounds ranged from 0.1 to 6.5 mg g⁻¹, and decreased with increasing degree of humification. The C₁₂ to C₃₀ monocarboxylic acid methyl esters accounted for > 56% of the aliphatic compounds assigned, which may be present mainly as end alkyl groups in the HA molecules. We also obtained the methylated counterparts of C₁₄ to C₂₄ dicarboxylic acids; these were possibly derived from polymethylene bridges between adjacent aromatic rings.     

Density fractionation of organic matter in dolomite‐derived soils

Dolomite (CaMg(CO₃)₂) constitutes half of the global carbonates. Thus, many calcareous soils have been developing rather from dolomitic rocks than from calcite (CaCO₃)‐dominated limestone. We developed a physical fractionation procedure based on three fractionation steps, using sonication with subsequent density fractionation to separate soil organic matter (SOM) from dolomite‐derived soil constituents. The method avoids acidic pretreatment for destruction of carbonates but aims at separating out carbonate minerals according to density. The fractionation was tested on three soils developed on dolostone parent material (alluvial gravel and solid rock), differing in organic‐C (OC) and inorganic‐C (IC) concentrations and degree of carbonate weathering. Soil samples were suspended and centrifuged in Na‐polytungstate (SPT) solutions of increasing density, resulting in five different fractions: two light fractions < 1.8 g cm^–3 (> 20 μm and < 20 μm), rich in OC and free of carbonate, and two organomineral fractions (1.8–2.4 g cm^–3 and 2.4–2.6 g cm^–3), containing 66–145 mg g^–1 and 16–29 mg g^–1 OC. The organomineral fractions consist of residual clay from carbonate weathering such as clay minerals and iron oxides associated with SOM. The fifth fraction (> 2.6 g cm^–3) was dominated by dolomite (85%–95%). The density separation yielded fractions differing in mineral compositions, as well as in SOM, indicated by soil‐type‐specific OC distributions and decreasing OC : N ratios with increasing density of fractions. The presented method is applicable to a wide range of dolomitic and most likely to all other calcareous soils.     

The unionid mussels (Mollusca,Bivalvia) of the Belgian upper River Meuse: An assessment of the impact of hydraulic works on the river water self-purification

In September 1983, the nine weirs regulating the flow of the River Meuse between Givet (France) and Namur (Belgium) were kept fully open for technical purposes. The water level therefore dropped, allowing the sampling of benthic organisms and the mapping of the different kinds of banks. For each bank type, the density of unionid mussels was measured. Silt and fine gravel bottoms are the preferred habitats of these mussels. In these natural habitats, the mean biomass is estimated at more than 1·8 tonnes ha⁻¹. In pebbles this value is near 1 tonne ha⁻¹ whereas in the stony blocks and on rocky bars it falls to 165 kg ha⁻¹. Man-made banks are poor biotopes: 297 kg mussels ha⁻¹ on old stoneworks and only 65 kg ha⁻¹ on recent ones.When the filtration rate is considered, it can be shown that, at the time this study was undertaken, the unionid mussels living on the Meuse banks filtered more than 300 litres water s⁻¹. This rate will drop to 27 litres s⁻¹ within only a few years if the designed hydraulic works are carried out.This study emphasises the negative effects of these works on the self-purification capacity of the river.     

Experimental nitrogen deposition alters the quantity and quality of soil dissolved organic carbon in an alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays a central role in driving biogeochemical processes in soils, but little information is available on the relation of soil DOM dynamics to microbial activity. The effects of NO₃⁻ and NH₄⁺ deposition in grasslands on the amount and composition of soil DOM also remain largely unclear. In this study, a multi-form, low-dose N addition experiment was conducted in an alpine meadow on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau in 2007. Three N fertilizers, NH₄Cl, (NH₄)₂SO₄ and KNO₃, were applied at four rates: 0, 10, 20 and 40 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. Soil samples from surface (0–10 cm) and subsurface layers (10–20 cm) were collected in 2011. Excitation/emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy (EEM) was used to assess the composition and stability of soil DOM. Community-level physiological profile (CLPP, basing on the BIOLOG Ecoplate technique) was measured to evaluate the relationship between soil DOC dynamics and microbial utilization of C resources. Nitrogen (N) dose rather than N form significantly increased soil DOC contents in surface layer by 23.5%–35.1%, whereas it significantly decreased soil DOC contents in subsurface layer by 10.4%–23.8%. Continuous five-year N addition significantly increased the labile components and decreased recalcitrant components of soil DOM in surface layer, while an opposite pattern was observed in subsurface layer; however, the humification indices (HIX) of soil DOM was unaltered by various N treatments. Furthermore, N addition changed the amount and biodegradability of soil DOM through stimulating microbial metabolic activity and preferentially utilizing organic acids. These results suggest that microbial metabolic processes dominate the dynamics of soil DOC, and increasing atmospheric N deposition could be adverse to the accumulation of soil organic carbon pool in the alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.     

Temperature and soil moisture effects on dissolved organic matter release from a moorland Podzol O horizon under field and controlled laboratory conditions

Organic upland soils store large amounts of humified organic matter. The mechanisms controlling the leaching of this C pool are not completely understood. To examine the effects of temperature and microbial cycling on C leaching, we incubated five unvegetated soil cores from a Podzol O horizon (from NE Scotland), over a simulated natural temperature cycle for 1 year, whilst maintaining a constant soil moisture content. Soil cores were leached with artificial rain (177 mm each, monthly) and the leachates analysed for dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and their specific C‐normalized UV absorbance determined (SUVA, 285 nm). Monthly values of respiration of the incubated soils were determined as CO₂ efflux. To examine the effects of vegetation C inputs and soil moisture, in addition to temperature, we sampled O horizon pore waters in situ and collected five additional field soil cores every month. The field cores were leached under controlled laboratory conditions. Hysteresis in the monthly amount of DOC leached from field cores resulted in greater DOC on the rising, than falling temperature phases. This hysteresis suggested that photosynthetic C stimulated greater DOC losses in early summer, whereas limitations in the availability of soil moisture in late summer suppressed microbial decomposition and DOC loss. Greater DOC concentrations of in‐situ pore waters than for any core leachates were attributed to the effects of soil drying and physico‐chemical processes in the field. Variation in the respiration rates for the incubated soils was related to temperature, and respiration provided a greater pathway of C loss (44 g C m⁻² year⁻¹) than DOC (7.2 g C m⁻² year⁻¹). Changes in SUVA over spring and summer observed in all experimental systems were related to the period of increased temperature. During this time, DOC became less aromatic, which suggests that lower molecular weight labile compounds were not completely mineralized. The ultimate DOC source appears to be the incomplete microbial decomposition of recalcitrant humified C. In warmer periods, any labile C that is not respired is leached, but in autumn either labile C production ceases, or it is sequestered in soil biomass.     

Tracing the source and fate of dissolved organic matter in soil after incorporation of a C labelled residue: A batch incubation study

While dissolved organic matter (DOM) in soil solution is a small but reactive fraction of soil organic matter, its source and dynamics are unclear. A laboratory incubation experiment was set up with an agricultural topsoil amended with ¹³C labelled maize straw. The dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration in soil solution increased sharply from 25 to 186 mg C L⁻¹ 4 h after maize amendment, but rapidly decreased to 42 mg C L⁻¹ and reached control values at and beyond 2 months. About 65% of DOM was straw derived after 4 h, decreasing to 29% after one day and only 1.3% after 240 days. A significant priming effect of the straw on the release of autochthonous DOM was found. The DOM fractionation with DAX-8 resin revealed that 98% of the straw derived DOM was hydrophilic in the initial pulse while this hydrophilic fraction was 20-30% in control samples. This was in line with the specific UV absorbance of the DOM which was significantly lower in the samples amended with maize residues than in the control samples. The δ¹³C of the respired CO₂ matched that of DOC in the first day after amendment but exceeded it in following days. The straw derived C fractions in respired CO₂ and in microbial biomass were similar between 57 and 240 days after amendment but were 3-10 fold above those in the DOM. This suggests that the solubilisation of C from the straw is in steady state with the DOM degradation or that part of the straw is directly mineralised without going into solution. This study shows that residue application releases a pulse of hydrophilic DOM that temporarily (<3 days) dominates the soil DOM pool and the degradable C. However, beyond that pulse the majority of DOM is derived from soil organic matter and its isotope signature differs from microbial biomass and respired C, casting doubt that the DOM pool in the soil solution is the major bioaccessible C pool in soil.     

Mulching Affects Soil Properties and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Under Long‐Term No‐Till and Plough‐Till Systems in Alfisol of Central Ohio

Agricultural activities emit greenhouse gases (GHGs) and contribute to global warming. Intensive plough tillage (PT), use of agricultural chemicals and the burning of crop residues are major farm activities emitting GHGs. Intensive PT also degrades soil properties by reducing soil organic carbon (SOC) pool. In this scenario, adoption of no‐till (NT) systems offers a pragmatic option to improve soil properties and reduce GHG emission. We evaluated the impacts of tillage systems (NT and PT) and wheat residue mulch on soil properties and GHG emission. This experiment was started in 1989 on a Crosby silt loam soil at Waterman Farm, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA. Mulching reduced soil bulk density and improved total soil porosity. More total carbon (16.16 g kg⁻¹), SOC (8.36 mg L⁻¹) and soil microbial biomass carbon (152 µg g⁻¹) were recorded in soil under NT than PT. Mulch application also decreased soil temperature (0–5 cm) and penetration resistance (0–60 cm). Adoption of long‐term NT reduced the GHG emission. Average fluxes of GHGs under NT were 1.84 g CO₂‐C m⁻² day⁻¹ for carbon dioxide, 0.07 mg CH₄‐C m⁻² day⁻¹ for methane and 0.73 mg N₂O‐N m⁻² day⁻¹ for nitrous oxide compared with 2.05 g CO₂‐C m⁻² day⁻¹, 0.74 mg CH₄‐C m⁻² day⁻¹ and 1.41 mg N₂O‐N m⁻² day⁻¹, respectively, for PT. Emission of nitrous oxide was substantially increased by mulch application. In conclusion, long‐term NT reduced the GHG emission by improving the soil properties. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Separation and Characterization of Barley Starch Polymers by a Flow Field‐Flow Fractionation Technique in Combination with Multiangle Light Scattering and Differential Refractive Index Detection

Flow field‐flow fractionation (flow FFF) with frit inlet and frit outlet mode (FIFO) was coupled online to multiangle light scattering (MALS) and refractive index (RI) detectors to investigate the molecular characteristics of normal and zero amylose barley starch polymers. Application of two different cross‐flows, 0.35 mL/min followed by 0.1 mL/min, and constant channel and frit flows of 0.1 and 1.0 mL/min, respectively, permitted a complete separation of amylose and amylopectin. The improved signals from the detectors due to application of the FIFO mode enabled the proper characterization of the small molecular weight species, as well as significantly enhanced the reproducibility of the measurements. The weight‐average molecular weight (M_w) and zaverage root‐mean‐square (RMS) radii of gyration (R_g) values for amylose and amylopectin in the normal starch samples were 2.3 × 10⁶ and 280 × 10⁶, and 107 and 260 nm, respectively. The M_w and R_g of amylopectin in the zero amylose starch samples were 360 × 10⁶ and 267 nm, respectively. The slopes (α) obtained by plotting log M_w versus log R_g for amylose and amylopectin were 0.6 and 0.3, respectively. These results are in good agreement with the theoretical prediction of the molecular conformation of amylose and amylopectin.     

Redistribution of particulate organic matter during ultrasonic dispersion of highly weathered soils

The use of ultrasonic energy for the dispersion of aggregates in studies of soil organic matter (SOM) fractionation entails a risk of redistribution of particulate organic matter (POM) to smaller particle‐size fractions. As the mechanical strength of straw also decreases with increasing state of decomposition, it can be expected that not all POM will be redistributed to the same extent during such dispersion. Therefore, we studied the redistribution of POM during ultrasonic dispersion and fractionation as a function of (i) dispersion energy applied and (ii) its state of decomposition. Three soils were dispersed at different ultrasonic energies (750, 1500 and 2250 J g^?1 soil) or with sodium carbonate and were fractionated by particle size. Fraction yields were compared with those obtained with a standard particle‐size analysis. Undecomposed or incubated (for 2, 4 or 6 months) ¹³C‐enriched wheat straw was added to the POM fraction (0.25–2 mm) of one of the soils before dispersion and fractionation. Dispersion with sodium carbonate resulted in the weakest dispersion and affected the chemical properties of the fractions obtained through its high pH and the introduction of carbonate. The mildest ultrasonic dispersion treatment (750 J g^?1) did not result in adequate soil dispersion as too much clay was still recovered in the larger fractions. Ultrasonic dispersion at 1500 J g^?1 soil obtained a nearly complete dispersion down to the clay level (0.002 mm), and it did not have a significant effect on the total amount of carbon and nitrogen in the POM fractions. The 2250 J g^?1 treatment was too destructive for the POM fractions since it redistributed up to 31 and 37%, respectively, of the total amount of carbon and nitrogen in these POM fractions to smaller particle‐size fractions. The amount of ¹³C‐enriched wheat straw that was redistributed to smaller particle‐size fractions during ultrasonic dispersion at 1500 J g^?1 increased with increasing incubation time of this straw. Straw particles incubated for 6 months were completely transferred to smaller particle‐size fractions. Therefore, ultrasonic dispersion resulted in fractionation of POM, leaving only the less decomposed particles in this fraction. The amounts of carbon and nitrogen transferred to the silt and clay fractions were, however, negligible compared with the total amounts of carbon and nitrogen in these fractions. It is concluded that ultrasonic dispersion seriously affects the amount and properties of POM fractions. However, it is still considered as an acceptable and appropriate method for the isolation and study of SOM associated with silt and clay fractions.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in peat and plants from selected peat‐bogs in the north‐east of Poland

The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed in samples of peat and of two plant species (Pinus sylvestris and Ledum palustre) overgrowing peat‐bogs in the north‐east of Poland. Peat samples were collected from different depths according to the stratigraphic profile of the peat bogs. The total concentrations of the 16 anthropogenic PAHs (15 from the US EPA list and benzo[e]pyrene) in all peat samples were between 70 and 439 ng g^—1. The concentration for the same compounds in pine needles (Pinus sylvestris) and Dutch Myrthe leaves (Ledum palustre) varied between 194 and 1039 ng g^—1. A noticeably high fluorene concentration in Dutch Myrthe leaves was found at some sites. In all peat samples 3‐ring compounds were predominant (55 to 319 ng g^—1). There were less 4‐ring PAHs (15 to 110 ng g^—1) and the least common PAHs were 5‐ring and 6‐ring compounds (0 to 81 ng g^—1 for both groups). In some peat samples, the perylene concentration largely exceeds of the total concentration of all the other PAHs investigated. The high content of perylene in bottom layers could result from the processes of perylene sorption from water during peat‐bog formation or from biogenic formation of perylene.