Modelling soil organic matter decomposition and rainfall erosion in two tropical soils after forest clearing for permanent agriculture

A soil organic matter turnover model has been developed to analyse soil carbon (soil organic-C) loss caused by organic matter decomposition and rainfall erosion in soils used for permanent cultivation. It has been used to build up model profiles of five soils, one occurring in temperate and four in tropical regions, on the basis of estimates for ‘natural’ organic matter input. Organic matter input data for different systems of cultivation were used to model the long-term decomposition of soil organic-C in these model profiles. The modelling results show that soil organic matter decomposition in the tropics is three to four times faster than in temperate regions, and that there is a marked influence of soil type and soil climate. Simulated losses of organic-C in the tropical soils, not accounting for erosion are 31 to 50 per cent after 50 years and 43 to 63 per cent after 100 years of continuous cultivation. The simulated loss of soil organic-C when rainfall erosion is also allowed for is 40 to 80 per cent. Erosion caused an extra loss of at least 7 per cent after 100 years. The initial input of charcoal from forest burning is lost through erosion at a rate of 50 to almost 100 per cent, depending on the severity of erosion. The sensitivity of modelling results to variations in input data was also analysed. The losses of soil carbon were also used to calculate the global flux of CO₂ from soils. Soils are probably a small but not negligible source of CO₂.     

Postagrogenic transformation of organic matter in soddy-podzolic soils

In the chronological sequence of postagrogenic soils, the restoration of the original differentiation of the soil profile and its horizons proceeded with different rates depending on the fallow age and the horizon depth. The layer sampling (at 5-cm intervals) showed that the plow horizon began to differentiate into a system of subhorizons in all the fallow soils. The zonal pedogenesis showed clear signs of manifestation already in the 15-year-old fallow. The upper part of the former plow horizon in the 15- and 60-year-old fallows under herbaceous plants was transformed into a soddy horizon, while a postagrogenic soil 90 years old already developed under a zonal type of vegetation and approached the control soil in its morphological features. The content and reserve of carbon in the soils showed a stable tendency of increasing (especially in the upper part of the plow horizon) during the entire postagrogenic period under study. The water permeability of the soils gradually increased and approached that of the virgin soil. However, the compacted subsurface horizon (the plow pan) disappeared only after 90 years. The assessment of the physicochemical properties of the soils and the structural and functional parameters of the humic acids indicated the expansion of the layer differentiation primarily within the homogeneous plow horizon. From the elemental analysis and 13C NMR spectroscopy data, the degree of aromaticity in the molecular structure of the humic acids gradually decreased, and the aliphatic part developed with the age of the fallow.     

Stability of soil organic matter in two northeastern German fen soils: the influence of site and soil development

Purpose

Peatland soils play an important role in the global carbon (C) cycle due to their high organic carbon content. Lowering of the water table e.g. for agricultural use accelerates aerobic secondary peat decomposition and processes of earthification. Peatlands change from C sinks to C sources. We characterized soil organic matter (SOM) with special attention to human impact through drainage. Our aim was to gain knowledge of SOM quality and soil-forming processes in drained fen soils in northeastern Germany.

Materials and methods

Through techniques of representative landscape analysis, we identified two typical and representative sampling sites in different stages of land use, representing the most important hydrogenetic mire types in northeastern Germany. We adapted chemical fractionation procedures which include hot water extraction (C_hwe and N_hwe) for determination of the labile fraction. Furthermore, a stepwise acid hydrolysis procedure was performed to measure the chemical recalcitrant part of SOM as it is more resistant to biodegradability.

Results and discussion

Total organic C decreased with increasing human impact and intensity of drainage. Conversely, C_hwe and N_hwe concentrations increased with increasing drainage and human impact. In contrast, the more recalcitrant fractions increased with soil depth.

Conclusions

Generally, there is a lack of existing data about SOM quality and the factors controlling its stability and decomposition in fen soils. For northeastern German fen soils, the data are even more inadequate. Influence of drainage seems to overlap natural influences of site on SOM quality. The used extraction scheme was suitable for the chemical fractionation of SOM into labile and more recalcitrant parts.     

Selenium retention in the organic matter of Swedish forest soils

Fractions of selenium present in the soil profiles of three Swedish podzols were analysed using a sequential extraction scheme to characterize Se distribution among the organic and inorganic fractions. The process by which selenite deposited from the atmosphere is retained in a podzolic profile rich in organic matter was studied in a column experiment. Selenium present in organic fractions accounted for most of the Se extracted by Na₄P₂O₇/NaOH. All soil organic matter fractions, particularly those in the B horizons, were considerably enriched with Se as compared with plant biomass. The most enriched fraction was that containing hydrophobic fulvates which had C to Se ratios ranging from 33 000 to 80 000. The distribution of Se among the organic fractions differed markedly from that of sulphur. Selenite applied to columns continuously for 67 d was fixed very rapidly upon entering the forest floor layers, with 77% being recovered in the top 2 cm of the forest floor after the experiment. In column leachates from the surface layers, C to Se ratios decreased progressively following Se application. No effect specifically related to Se application was observed for leachates and soil horizons underlying Bs1. The mechanism responsible for the efficient and rapid Se immobilization by organic matter is unknown.     

Mobilization and immobilization of dissolved organic matter in forest soils

Field and laboratory studies combined with destructive and nondestructive analytical methods were used to characterize dissolved organic matter (DOM) in acid forest soils. DOM is produced in significant amounts in the forest canopy and in the forest floor. A major part of the organic solutes are lignocellulose-degradation products being strongly microbially altered in the course of ligninolysis. The release of lignin-derived moieties into the soil solution is controlled by their degree of biooxidation. Microorganisms contribute also directly to the organic solutes through the release of microbial metabolites. DOM released from the forest floor passes the upper mineral soil almost conservatively, whereas in the subsoil most DOM is removed from solution. Immobilization of DOM is mainly due to sorption on Fe and Al oxides. The highly oxidized lignin-derived moieties are preferentially removed from the soil solution whereas the saccharides are relatively enriched. We conclude that DOM in the forest soil output to the hydrosphere is a result of (1) the release of microbially degraded lignocellulose compounds and of microbial metabolites into the forest floor solution and (2) selective sorptive removal of the lignin-derived constituents in the subsoil.     

山东省苹果园土壤有机质及养分状况研究

通过大量田间采样分析了山东省三种主要土壤类型苹果园土壤的有效养分状况及其分布特点 ,结果表明 :三种土壤类型果园土中有效养分含量差异较大 ,棕壤富磷贫钾 ,潮土富钾贫磷 ,褐土介于二者之间 .不同土层间有效养分含量有较大差异 ,表层土 (0～ 2 0cm)含量最高 ,底层土 (4 0～ 60cm)含量最低 ;丰产园三土层间有效养分含量差异较少 ,低产园差异较大 ;丰产果园三土层氮磷钾比例的平均值为 :0～2 0cm1∶0 .53∶1 .59;2 0～ 4 0cm为 1∶0 .53∶1 .69;4 0～ 60cm为 1∶0 .51∶1 .72 .与 1 0年前相比 ,果园土壤有机质含量降低 ,有效氮磷钾含量增加 ,其中磷钾增幅较大 .     

Recovery rate of organic c in organic matter fractions of Grantsburg soils

Abstract

Walkley‐Black method is a simple and rapid method for organic carbon analysis. Because of incomplete oxidation of organic carbon (C), the recovery of organic C is low with this method. Assuming the 77% recovery of organic C with Walkley‐Black method, the results are corrected with a correction factor of 1.30. The objective of this study is to determine the soil organic C recovery rate and appropriate correction factor for Walkley‐Black (wet combustion) method for tilled soils in southern Illinois. Soil samples were collected in 1995 and 1996 from a trial established in southern Illinois on a moderately well drained, Grantsburg (fine‐silty, mixed, mesic Oxyaquic Fragiudalf) soil. Organic C contents with the Leco analyzer (dry combustion) were significantly higher as compared to the Walkley‐Black method in different tillage systems (no‐till, chisel plow and moldboard plow), soil organic matter fractions (whole soil and mineral fraction) and soil depths (0–5 and 5–15 cm). The recovery percentage of organic C was lower than the assumed percentage with the Walkley‐Black method. No significant differences in organic C recovery percentage were found due to differences in tillage systems and depths, whereas the recovery percentage was lower in mineral fraction as compared to the whole soil. The lower organic C recovery percentage was due to the more stable organic C compounds in the mineral fraction. On the basis of these findings, correction factors of 1.35 and 1.41 are proposed for whole soil and mineral organic C analysis with Walkley‐Black method, respectively for tilled Grantsburg and other similar soils in southern Illinois.     

Active and passive organic matter fractions in Mediterranean forest soils

Soil organic carbon (C) is a complex set of pools, and to understand its dynamics it is necessary to know which of these pools are active at a given moment, and which act as passive, due to either physical protection or biochemical recalcitrance, or both. This matter has been studied mainly in agricultural soils. For forest soils, especially in Mediterranean areas, there is a data gap that needs to be filled. Therefore, we studied three profiles in Catalonia (NE Spain) over marl and under Pinus halepensis stands. Soil horizons were incubated under optimal conditions for 45 days. The respiration rate on day 45 was taken as basal respiration rate (BR_R). The following fractions were quantified: (1) soluble C, (2) microbial C, both corrected (MC_C) and uncorrected (MC_UC) (i.e., applying or not a correction factor to account for the non-extractable microbial carbon), (3) C in size fractions, isolated by ultrasonic dispersion and sieving plus sedimentation, and (4) labile and recalcitrant C, quantified by acid hydrolysis, applied to both the whole soil horizons and the size fractions. The basal respiration rate (BR_R) correlated best with the sum soluble + MC_UC, which altogether seem the best estimator of the active C pool. The correlation between BR_R and MC_C was worse, thus suggesting that not all microbial C should be included in the active pool. The correlation of BR_R with the C associated to coarse fractions (>50 μm) was positive, whereas that\with C associated to fine fractions (<20 μm) was negative. The correlations were lower than those obtained with the soluble + MC_UC, thus suggesting that the coarse organic fractions are probably the main source of active C, but not active C itself. Alone, the pools obtained by acid hydrolysis (labile and recalcitrant) correlated poorly with BR_R, but the combination of size fractionation with acid hydrolysis resulted in some of the best predictors of microbial activity. Hydrolyzable polyphenolic compounds inhibited microbial activity. Unhydrolyzable C associated to fine fractions (<20 μm) seemed the most stable of all the C pools studied. By contrast the unhydrolyzable part was apparently as unstable as the hydrolyzable part in the coarse organic debris. Overall, our results point to a hierarchy of constraints: both the physical protection and the biochemical quality affect microbial activity, but the physical protection goes first. In the profiles studied, C did not appear to be more stable in deep horizons than in surface horizons.     

Paramagnetic activity of organic matter in soils of the Ubsu-Nur Depression

The effect of the humus content and composition, the humification intensity, and the pH on the paramagnetic activity of organic matter in soils of vertical zones of the Ubsu-Nur Depression was revealed. It was found that the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of these soils have a relatively broad absorption band with the g factor equal to 2.0031 ± 0.0002; the EPR spectral curve has the form of the first derivative of the Gaussian absorption curve. The method of calculating the EPR spectral intensity was specified; regression equations were calculated for the pairs: the total carbon and the spectral intensity, the (HA + FA) carbon and the spectral intensity, and the C_ha/C_fa ratio and the spectral intensity, which showed a correlation between the group composition of the humus and the EPR spectral intensity. The results obtained permitted us to separate the soils of the Ubsu-Nur Depression into three groups with high, medium, and low effects of the humus status parameters on the EPR spectrum intensity.     

Spatial microdistribution of mites and organic matter in soils and caves

Spatial variability is a key to understanding the structure and function of soil biodiversity. This research addressed the question of whether a mite centimetric spatial pattern corresponds to that of organic matter in two caves and in the mineral horizon of three forest soils. Therefore, different statistical tools were used and compared: classic aggregation analysis through variance-to-mean ratio and Morisitas index, nested hierarchical ANOVA and Morans I autocorrelation coefficient. The spatial pattern of organic matter was generally found to be of the gradient or patch type, influenced by slope and trees. Cave sediments far from the entrance contained smaller patches of organic matter than deep soil and cave entrances. Mite density spatial patterns sometimes corresponded to that of organic matter in soils but never in caves. Correlograms of mite species composition were significant in soils but not in caves. The difference between the space available in caves compared with that in the tortuous pores of soil is thought to be a major structuring factor for mites, by influencing their mobility. Correlograms were the most dependable spatial analysis tools, as they could be statistically tested and used to clarify the patterns detected by the nested hierarchical ANOVA method.     

Microbial biomass and organic matter turnover in wetland rice soils

A decline in rice yields has been associated with intensification of rice production. In continuously irrigated systems this has been attributed to a decline in soil N supply. Nutrient mineralisation and immobilisation is constrained by the quantity and nature of the organic substrates and the physico-chemical environment of the soil system itself. A flooded soil is very different from an aerobic one; electron acceptors other than oxygen have to be used. The transition to continuously anaerobic conditions associated with the intensification of wetland rice systems affects their organic matter turnover and may adversely affect their productivity.     

地中海山地土壤中团聚体的形成和有机质的储存

Soil aggregation and organic matter of soils from the pre-Pyrenean range in Catalonia (NE Spain) were studied, in order to assess their quality as carbon sinks and also to select the best soil management practices to preserve their quality. Aggregate stability, organic carbon and micromorphology were investigated. The highest amount of organic carbon was found in alluvial, deep soils (228 Mg C ha^-1), and the lowest was in a shallow, stony soil with a low plant cover (78 Mg C ha^-1). Subsurface horizons of degraded soils under pastures were the ones with smaller and less-stable aggregates. Fresh residues of organic matter (OM) were found mostly in interaggregate spaces. Within the aggregates there were some organic remains that were beginning to decompose, and also impregnative nodules of amorphous OM. Although OM was evenly distributed among the aggregate fractions, the larger blocky peds had more specific surface, contained less decomposed OM and had a lower organic/mineral interphase than smaller crumb aggregates, which were also more stable. Soil carbon storage was affected primarily by the OM inputs in the surface horizons. In order to store organic carbon over the mid-and long-term periods, the mechanisms favouring structuration through biological activity and creating small aggregates with intrapedal stable microporosities seemed to be the most effective.     

On the determination of total heavy metal content in saline soils and soils rich in organic matter

Abstract

Methods of soil decomposition for determination of heavy metal total content were considered. Two saline soils (chloride and sulphate solonchak solonetz) and one rich in organic matter were uzed for investigation. It has been established that decomposition by using HF‐HCl with a preliminary ignition at 500°C is a very suitable method. The type of the studied soils and the results obtained allow for this method to be recommended for decomposition of various soils.

On the basis of experiments with modelled soils it has been proved that possibilities for heavy metal losses on ignition are created when NaCl content and the percentage of weakly bound heavy metals (water‐soluble, exchangeable, etc.) are high. Under the conditions of the experiment (acid soils ‐ pH 4.3 and 5.0) losses of Zn and Pb but not of Cu have been incurred. Although these cases are not typical, this requires the applicability of the method for such particular occasions to be checked.     

Influence of organic matter and pH on bentazone sorption in soils

Bentazone (3-isopropyl-1H-2,1,3-benzonthiadiazain-(4)3H-one 2,2-dioxide) is a postemergence herbicide which is used extensively worldwide, especially in China. The sorption of bentazone in various types of soils and extracted humic acids was investigated using a batch equilibration technique. Significant linearity was observed in sorption isotherms in five different types of soil, with distribution coefficients (K(d)) that varied between 0.140 and 0.321 mL g(-1). The distribution coefficient was determined to be a function of organic matter and pH in the soil. A model based on distribution coefficients was developed to predict bentazone sorption in soils. The organic matter-normalized partition coefficients for the neutral and anionic forms of bentazone were 370.3 and 2.40 mL g(-1), respectively. Hence, more attention should be given to the potential leaching problem when bentazone is applied in soils containing low organic matter and high pH.     

Specific features of organic matter in urban soils of Rostov-on-Don

Data on the fractional and group composition of humus in urban soils of Rostov-on-Don are discussed. We have compared the humus profiles of chernozems under tree plantations and those buried under anthropogenic deposits (including sealed chernozems under asphalt). It is shown that the type of humus in these soils remains stable despite a decrease in its total content after the long-term burial under asphalt. Under the impact of the trees, the organic matter of the chernozems acquired some features typical of gray forest soils, i.e., the humate-fulvate type of humus in the humus horizon and the sharp drop in the humus content down the soil profile.     

Soil organic matter, effects on soils and crops

Abstract. Manurial treatments and cropping history have remained unchanged for many years in classical and long-term experiments at Rothamsted and Woburn, in some cases for more than 100 years. Soil samples taken periodically have been analysed to follow changes in organic carbon content with time and treatment. Data presented here clearly show effects of carbon input and soil texture on equilibrium organic matter content.
Until recently increasing amounts of soil organic matter had little effect on yields of arable crops especially if fertilizer nitrogen dressings were chosen correctly. However the yield potential of many crops has increased and various agronomic inputs have become available to achieve that potential. Yields of many crops are now larger on soils with extra organic matter both on the sandy loam at Woburn and the silty clay loam at Rothamsted. Some of the effect appears to be related to extra water holding capacity, some to availability of nitrogen in ways which cannot be mimicked by dressings of fertilizer N, and some to improved soil physical properties. Responses to fertilizer N have been larger on soils with more organic matter.     

Seasonal changes in the content of dissolved organic matter in arable soils

Purpose

The aim of this paper has been to determine the seasonal changes in the content of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the soils under agricultural use based on assaying changes in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved nitrogen (DNt) as well as determining the factors which can define the DOM in soils.

Materials and methods

The research has involved the soils under agricultural use sampled in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie province (Poland). Phaeozems and Luvisols were sampled from the depth of 0–30, 30–60, and 60–100 cm, November 2011 through September 2013, in November, March, May, July, and September. The soil samples were assayed for the grain size composition, pH, dry weight content, content of total organic carbon, and total nitrogen. Dissolved organic matter was extracted with 0.004 mol dm³ CaCl₂; in the DOM extracts, the content of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved nitrogen (DNt) were assayed. The research results were statistically verified.

Results and discussion

It has been demonstrated that in the first year of research, the content of dissolved organic carbon in the soils was changing throughout the year. The highest differences in the content of that carbon fraction occurred across the soil sampled in autumn and the soil sampled in spring. In the second year of research, an inverse dependence was noted. DOC was migrating to deeper layers of the soil profile; yet, the migration got more intensive in summer. The content of dissolved nitrogen was not changing significantly throughout the year. Higher DNt content in the surface layer, in general, resulted in a higher content of dissolved nitrogen in deeper profile layer, which could have been due to leaching of the nutrient deep down the soil profile.

Conclusions

The content of dissolved organic carbon was significantly related to the content of total organic carbon and total nitrogen. Significant changes in the content of dissolved forms of nitrogen were reported in the profile of Phaeozems due to mineral fertilization and irrigation. The soils where irrigation and higher nitrogen rates had been applied demonstrated a higher content and share of soluble forms of nitrogen, as compared with the soils non-irrigated and the soils where lower nitrogen rates had been supplied.

     

Pyrogenic transformation of organic matter in soils of forest bogs

Natural fires on forest bogs significantly affect all the groups and fractions of peat organic matter. The type and intensity of the fires are responsible for the depth of the pyrogenic transformation of peat. In the course of thermal destruction of peat organic matter, humus substances (humic acids in particular) are accumulated, which leads to changes in the type of humus; the humus reserves may increase by 1.5–8 times. Several ways of the formation of humus components related to the intensity of a fire are suggested. The regressive evolution of bog ecosystems caused by fires is a reversible process. The humus status of pyrogenically transformed horizons and their morphology are preserved within the peat deposit as a relic characteristic of the discrete metamorphosis of the soils.     

Biological degradation of pyrogenic organic matter in temperate forest soils

Pyrogenic organic matter (PyOM), derived from the incomplete combustion of plant biomass and fossil fuels, has been considered one of the most stable pools of soil organic matter (SOM) and a potentially important terrestrial sink for atmospheric CO₂. Recent evidence suggests that PyOM may degrade faster in soil than previously thought, and can affect native SOM turnover rates. We conducted a six-month laboratory incubation study to better understand the processes controlling the degradation of PyOM in soils using dual-enriched (¹³C/¹⁵N) PyOM and its precursor wood (Pinus ponderosa). We examined the effects of soil type and inorganic N addition on PyOM and wood C and N mineralization rates, microbial C utilization patterns, and native SOM turnover rates. PyOM charred at 450 °C or its precursor pine wood was incubated in two temperate forest subsoils with contrasting short range order (SRO) clay mineralogy (granite versus andesite parent material). Duplicates of experimental treatments with and without PyOM added were sterilized and abiotic C mineralization was quantified. In a second incubation, PyOM or wood was incubated in granitic soil with and without added NH₄NO₃ (20 kg N ha⁻¹). The fate of ¹³C/¹⁵N-enriched PyOM and wood was followed as soil-respired ¹³CO₂ and total extractable inorganic ¹⁵N. The uptake of ¹³C from PyOM and wood by soil microbial community groups was quantified using ¹³C-phospholipids fatty acids (PLFA). We found that (1) The mean residence time (MRT) of PyOM-C was on a centennial time scale (390–600 yr) in both soil types; (2) PyOM-C mineralization was mainly biologically mediated; (3) Fungi more actively utilized wood-C than PyOM-C, which was utilized by all bacteria groups, especially gram (+) bacteria in the andesite (AN) soil; (4) PyOM-N mineralization was 2 times greater in granite (GR) than in AN soils; (5) PyOM additions did not affect native soil C or N mineralization rates, microbial biomass, or PLFA-defined microbial community composition in either soil; (6) The addition of N to GR soil had no effect on the MRT of C from PyOM, wood, or native SOM. The centennial scale MRT for PyOM-C was 32 times slower than that for the precursor pine wood-C or native soil C, which is faster than the MRT used in ecosystem models. Our results show that PyOM-C is readily utilized by all heterotrophic microbial groups, and PyOM-C and -N may be more dynamic in soils than previously thought.     

Biochemical properties and biodegradation of dissolved organic matter from soils

Various biologically mediated processes are involved in the turnover of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in soil; however, relatively little is known about the dynamics of either the microbial community or the individual classes of organic molecules during the decomposition of DOM. We examined the net loss of DOC, the mineralisation of C to CO₂ and the degradation of DOC from six different soils by soil microorganisms. We also quantified the changes in the concentrations of protein, carbohydrate and amino acid C during microbial biodegradation. Over a 70-day incubation period at 20°C, the mineralisation of DOC to CO₂ was described by a double exponential model with a labile pool (half-life, 3–8 days) and a stable pool (half-life, 0.4–6 years). However, in nearly all cases, the mass loss of DOC exceeded the C released as CO₂ with significant deviations from the double exponential model. Comparison of mass DOC loss, CO₂ production and microbial cell counts, determined by epifluorescence microscopy, showed that a proportion of the lost DOC mass could be accounted for by microbial assimilation. Carbohydrate and protein C concentrations fluctuated throughout the incubation with a net change of between 3 to 13 and −30 to 22.4% initial DOC, respectively. No amino acid C was detected during the incubation period (level of detection, 0.01 mg C l⁻¹).