Contribution of sorption,DOC transport and microbial interactions to the 14C age of a soil organic carbon profile: Insights from a calibrated process model

Profiles of soil organic carbon (SOC) are often characterized by a steep increase of ¹⁴C age with depth, often leading to subsoil ¹⁴C ages of more than 1000 years. These observations have generally been reproduced in SOC models by introducing a SOC pool that decomposes on the time-scale of millennia. The overemphasis of chemical recalcitrance as the major factor for the persistence of SOC was able to provide a mechanistic justification for these very low decomposition rates. The emerging view on SOC persistence, however, stresses that apart from molecular structure a multitude of mechanisms can lead to the long-term persistence of organic carbon in soils. These mechanisms, however, have not been incorporated into most models. Consequently, we developed the SOC profile model COMISSION which simulates vertically resolved SOC concentrations based on representations of microbial interactions, sorption to minerals, and vertical transport. We calibrated COMISSION using published concentrations of SOC, microbial biomass and mineral-associated OC (MOC), and in addition, ¹⁴C contents of SOC and MOC of a Haplic Podzol profile in North-Eastern Bavaria, Germany. In order to elucidate the contribution of the implemented processes to the ¹⁴C age in different parts of the profile, we performed model-experiments in which we switched off the limitation of SOC decomposition by microbes, sorptive stabilization on soil minerals, and dissolved OC (DOC) transport. By splitting all model pools into directly litter-derived carbon and microbe-derived organic carbon, we investigated the contribution of repeated microbial recycling to ¹⁴C ages throughout the profile. The model-experiments for this site lead to the following implications: Without rejuvenation by DOC transport, SOC in the subsoil would be on average 1700 ¹⁴C years older. Across the profile, SOC from microbial recycling is on average 1400 ¹⁴C years older than litter-derived SOC. Without microbial limitation of depolymerization, SOC in the subsoil would be on average 610 ¹⁴C years younger. Sorptive stabilization is responsible for relatively high ¹⁴C ages in the topsoil. The model-experiments further indicate that the high SOC concentrations in the Bh horizon are caused by the interplay between sorptive stabilization and microbial dynamics. Overall, the model-experiments demonstrate that the high ¹⁴C ages are not solely caused by slow turnover of a single pool, but that the increase of ¹⁴C ages along a soil profile up to ages >1000 years is the result of different mechanisms contributing to the overall persistence of SOC. The dominant reasons for the persistence of SOC are stabilization processes, followed by repeated microbial processing of SOC.     

Field-scale study of the variability in pesticide biodegradation with soil depth and its relationship with soil characteristics

The extent of within-field spatial variability of pesticide degradation was characterised in topsoil and subsoil, using the compounds isoproturon, bentazone and mecoprop, which are major contaminants of groundwater and surface freshwater in Europe. Twenty topsoil samples from 0 to 15 cm depth and twenty subsoil samples from 50 to 60 cm depth were collected from a single agricultural field within a 160×90 grid. It was shown that degradation rates of all compounds declined with soil depth. Variability of pesticide degradation rates, pesticide sorption and formation of non-extractable pesticide residues was higher in subsoil relative to topsoil. Furthermore, in the subsoil, there was variation in large scale soil physicochemical composition, which did not occur in topsoil. The greater variability in pesticide degradation rates in subsoil relative to topsoil could be the result of a greater range of degradation kinetics, which could reflect greater spatial variability in the distribution and/or activities of pesticide metabolising communities.     

秸秆心土混合犁改良白浆土效果

为将表层秸秆施入心土,改善贫瘠的心土层创造有利条件,该文设计了将白浆土"上翻20 cm,下混30~40 cm,同时将有机物料施入心土层"的秸秆心土混合犁。该研究通过设置秸秆心土混合区和浅翻深松区田间对比试验,调查机械作业后土壤理化性质,指示作物农艺性状以及产量指标等,明确秸秆心土混合的改土增产机理,进一步拓宽白浆土改良途径,为机械改土技术的广泛应用提供技术支撑。研究结果表明:与浅翻深松相比,秸秆心土混合改善心土层土壤物理性质,20~40 cm土层土壤含水率提高2.69~4.90个百分点;硬度降低44.45%左右,且没有出现峰值;改善土壤通透性,固相降低幅度为4.51~2.14个百分点,液相增加幅度为1.17~4.13个百分点,气相增加幅度为0.38~0.98个百分点,容重下降幅度为0.16~0.11 g/cm~3;提高心土层养分含量,碱解氮提高17.33%,有效磷提高116.39%,速效钾提高37.86%,有机质提高36.66%,同时提高心土层全量养分含量,缓解土壤酸性。连续2 a调查大豆产量,秸秆心土混合区比对照区增产15.77%~16.33%,一次改土后效时间长,增产效果显著。该研究结果可为白浆土及其同类低产土壤改良及作物高产提供技术支撑。     

Using soil E horizon in salvaged topsoil material – effect on soil texture

Soil is a limited natural resource that needs to be efficiently salvaged during landscape construction operations for its further use as topsoil. To avoid inclusion of undesirable subsoil material (e.g. excess clay from B_t horizon), the majority of current guidelines define borrowed topsoil material as the surface layer of native soil, or the soil A horizon. Using information from over 7000 soil pedons from the 48 contiguous United States, we characterized selected topsoil properties and simulated the mixing of A and E horizons. The selected soil properties were compared among four different operationally defined topsoils: A surface layer, A_SL; A_P surface layer, A_PL; A horizon, A; and a mix of A and E horizons, AE. Average topsoil depth decreases in the order: AE > A > A_PL > A_SL; sand content decreases in the order: A_SL > AE > A > A_PL; clay decreases in the order: A_PL > A > A_SL > AE; and organic carbon decreases in the order: A_SL > A > A_PL > AE. On average, mixing of A and E horizons increases excavation depth by over 2.5 fold while having minor effects on soil texture; with AE/A ratio of 1.03, 1.00 and 1.07 for sand, silt and clay content, respectively. Yet, average soil organic matter content decreases by 38% upon mixing A and E horizons. Given the marked increase in soil volume and minor effect on soil texture, it is our suggestion that, for landscaping purposes, protocols for salvaging excavated soil material, for reuse as topsoil material include the E horizon (where it exists). Supplementing the recovered soil material with organic matter, such as compost, to overcome its dilution due to the incorporation of E horizon is recommended.     

Vertical distribution of soil properties under short‐rotation forestry in Northern Germany

Short‐rotation forestry (SRF) on arable soils has high potentials for biomass production and leads to long‐term no‐tillage management. In the present study, the vertical distributions of soil chemical and microbial properties after 15 y of SRF with willows and poplar (Salix and Populus spp.) in 3‐ and 6‐year rotations on an arable soil were measured and compared to a pertinent tilled arable site. Two transects at different positions in the relief (upper and lower slope; transect 1 and 2) were investigated. Short‐rotation forestry caused significant changes in the vertical distribution of all investigated soil properties (organic and microbial C, total and microbial N, soil enzyme activities), however, the dimension and location (horizons) of significant effects varied. The rotation periods affected the vertical distribution of the soil properties within the SRF significantly. In transect 1, SRF had higher organic‐C concentrations in the subsoil (Bv horizon), whereas in transect 2, the organic‐C concentrations were increased predominantly in the topsoil (Ah horizon). Sufficient plant supply of P and K in combination with decreased concentrations of these elements in the subsoil under SRF pointed to an effective nutrient mobilization and transfer from the deeper soil horizons even in the long term. In transect 1, the microbial‐C concentrations were higher in the B and C horizons and in transect 2 in the A horizons under SRF than under arable use. The activities of β‐glucosidases and acid phosphatases in the soil were predominantly lower under SRF than under arable use in the topsoil and subsoil. We conclude, that long‐term SRF on arable sites can contribute to increased C sequestration and changes in the vertical distribution of soil microbial biomass and soil enzyme activities in the topsoil and also in the subsoil.     

Modification of porespace by tillage in two stagnogley soils with contrasting management histories

The soil porespace was studied in two long-term tillage experiments on two clayey stagnogleys in Southern England. The soils differed in respect of mineral and organic composition and previous management history. In both soils the total volume of pores and the volume fraction of macropores in the topsoil horizon declined with direct drilling compared with annual ploughing. This difference between tillage treatments appeared to develop more slowly in the soil that was formerly under continuous arable cultivation than in the soil that was previously in long-term grassland. Fluid transport coefficients were greater in ploughed topsoil in both soils; however, at the boundaries between topsoil and subsoil, and in the upper subsoil, permeability and gaseous diffusivity were greater after direct drilling. At a long-term arable site, soil was more consolidated below the depth of ploughing or shallow tillage, whereas in a former grassland soil ploughing disrupted the continuity of channel-type macropores.     

Subsoil rhizosphere modification by chickpea under a dry topsoil: implications for phosphorus acquisition

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) roots exude carboxylates. While chickpea commonly grows where the topsoil dries out during crop growth, the importance of carboxylate exudation by the roots and mobilization of soil P from below the dry topsoil has not been examined. The study investigates the response of carboxylate exudation and soil P mobilization by this crop to subsoil P fertilizer rate. In constructed soil columns in the glasshouse, the P levels (high, low, and nil P) were varied in the well‐watered subsoil (10–30 cm), while a low level of P in the dry topsoil (0–10 cm) was maintained. At flowering, rhizosphere carboxylates and rhizosphere soil from topsoil and subsoil roots were collected separately and analyzed. The concentration of total carboxylates per unit rhizosphere mass in the subsoil was nearly double that of the topsoil. Plants depleted sparingly soluble inorganic P (P_i), NaOH‐P_i, and HCl‐P_i, along with the labile P_i (water soluble and NaHCO₃‐Pi). The P depletion by plants was greater from the subsoil than the topsoil. The study concluded that depletion of sparingly soluble P from the chickpea rhizosphere in the subsoil was linked with the greater levels of carboxylates in the rhizosphere. These findings indicate that chickpea, with its deep rooting pattern, can increase its access to subsoil P when the topsoil dries out during crop growth by subsoil rhizosphere modification.     

Stability of organic matter in soils of the Belgian Loess Belt upon erosion and deposition

Soil erosion has significant impacts on terrestrial carbon (C) dynamics. It removes C‐rich topsoil and deposits it in lower areas, which might result in its stabilization against microbial decay. Subsequently, C‐poor deeper horizons will be exposed, which also affects C stabilization. We analysed factors governing soil organic C (SOC) mineralization in topsoil (5–10 cm) and subsoil (75–100 and 160–200 cm) horizons from two contrasting sites (up‐slope compared with down‐slope) in the Belgian Loess Belt; we refer to these as eroding and depositional sites, respectively. Deposition of eroded soil material resulted in significantly increased SOC contents throughout the entire soil profile (2 m) and microbial biomass C in the topsoil. In a 28‐day incubation experiment we studied effects of O₂ concentrations (0, 5 and 20%) and substrate (glucose) availability on C mineralization, soil microbial biomass and CaCl₂‐extractable C. Carbon enrichment at the depositional site was accompanied by weak mineralization rates and small contents of water‐extractable organic C. Addition of glucose stimulated microbial growth and enhanced respiration, particularly in the subsoil of the depositional site. Availability of O₂ showed the expected positive relationship with C mineralization in topsoils only. However, small O₂ concentrations did not decrease C mineralization in subsoils, indicating that controls on C dynamics were different in top‐ and subsoils. We conclude that reduced C mineralization contributed to C accumulation as observed at depositional sites, probably because of poor availability of C in subsoil horizons. Limited availability of O₂ in subsoils can be excluded as an important control of soil C accumulation. We hypothesize that the composition of the microbial community after burial of the organic‐rich material might play a decisive role.     

不同秸秆还田方式对白浆土土壤养分及大豆产量的影响

为确定秸秆还田方式对白浆土土壤养分及作物产量的影响,试验设置了普通翻耕的对照处理以及秸秆覆盖还田、心土还田和秸秆焚烧的3种还田方式。3年的试验结果表明:在耕层部分(0~20 cm),普通翻耕处理区土壤氮素和有机质含量测定值最低,而土壤磷素和钾素含量最高;在白浆层(20~40 cm),秸秆心土还田处理的土壤碱解氮、全氮、有效磷、全磷和有机质含量最高;在淀积层(40~60 cm),不同秸秆还田方式,氮素、磷素和有机质含量变化差异较小,钾素表现为土壤下层含量比表层高。两年的数据显示秸秆心土还田处理大豆产量最高,说明秸秆心土还田对土壤地力提升效果明显,利于大豆增产。     

黄淮海平原晚第四纪古土壤

本文运用孢子花粉,古生物化石和放射性碳断代等手段,从土壤剖面层段的特征,土壤年龄和环境变化方面证明,分布于黄淮海平原的变性土不是现代土壤,而是古土壤,该古土壤自晚新世晚期以来经历了三次沉积－成土作用旋回,其土壤发育程度较弱,且是由钙质结核土层,暗色土层,表土层和（或）淤土层组成的一个叠置型古土壤。     

Vertical gradients of potential enzyme activities in soil profiles of European beech,Norway spruce and Scots pine dominated forest sites

Management of forest sites has the potential to modulate soil organic matter decomposition by changing the catalytic properties of soil microorganisms within a soil profile. In this study we examined the impact of forest management intensity and soil physico-chemical properties on the variation of enzyme activities (β-glucosidase, β-xylosidase, α-glucosidase, phenol oxidase, N-acetyl-glucosaminidase, l-leucine aminopeptidase, phosphatase) in the topsoil and two subsoil horizons in three German regions (Schorfheide-Chorin, Hainich-Dün, Schwäbische Alb). The sandy soils in the Schorfheide-Chorin (SCH) showed lower ratios of the activity of carbon (C) acquiring enzymes (β-glucosidase) relative to nitrogen (N) acquiring enzymes (N-acetyl-glucosaminidase + l-leucine aminopeptidase), and activity of C acquiring enzymes relative to phosphorous (P) acquiring enzymes (phosphatase) than the finer textured soils in the Hainich-Dün (HAI) and Schwäbische Alb (ALB), indicating a shift in investment to N and P acquisition in the SCH. All enzyme activities, except phenol oxidase activity, decreased in deeper soil horizons as concentrations of organic C and total N did, while the decrease was much stronger from the topsoil to the first subsoil horizon than from the first subsoil to the second subsoil horizon. In contrast, phenol oxidase activity showed no significant decrease towards deeper soil horizons. Additionally, enzyme activities responsible for the degradation of more recalcitrant C relative to labile C compounds increased in the two subsoil horizons. Subsoil horizons in all regions also indicate a shift to higher N acquisition, while the strength of the shift depended on the soil type. Further, our results clearly showed that soil properties explained most of the total variance of enzyme activities in all soil horizons followed by study region, while forest management intensity had no significant impact on enzyme activities. Among all included soil properties, the clay content was the variable that explained the highest proportion of variance in enzyme activities with higher enzyme activities in clay rich soils. Our results highlight the need for large scale studies including different regions and their environmental conditions in order to derive general conclusions on which factors (anthropogenic or environmental) are most influential on enzyme activities in the whole soil profile in the long term at the regional scale.     

Topsoil and subsoil potassium as affected by long‐term potassium fertilization of corn‐soybean rotations

Abstract

Long‐term potassium (K) fertilization practices are likely to affect the K content of soils. This study assessed the effect of long‐term K fertilization strategies for corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotations on extractable K in the soil profile of a major Iowa soil type at two locations. The soil type was a Webster fine‐loamy, mixed, mesic, Typic Haplaquoll at both sites. Soil samples were collected from the 0–15, 15–30, 30–60, and 60–90 cm depths after 17 years (Site 1) or 19 years (Site 2) of K fertilization with combinations of two initial rates and four annual rates. The initial rates were 0 and 1,344 or 1,120 kg K ha^‐1 at Site 1 and 2, respectively, and the annual rates ranged from 0 to 100 kg K ha^‐1. Samples were analyzed for ammonium acetate‐extractable K (STK) and nitric acid (HNO₃)‐extractable nonexchangeable K (HNO₃‐K). Concentrations of STK and HNO₃‐K in the top 0–15 cm soil layer at the two sites were higher for the high initial K rates and were linearly related with the annual K rate. Results for the subsoil layers varied between sites and extractants. At Site 1, annual rates of 30 kg K ha^‐1 or higher resulted in a relative accumulation of HNO₃‐K in the 15–30 cm layer. At Site 2, these rates resulted in relative accumulations of STK in the 30–60 cm layer and of HNO₃‐K in the 60–90 cm layer, but with relative depletions of STK in the 15–30 and 60–90 cm layers. Thus, use of one extractant may not always be sufficient to evaluate cropping and fertilization effects on subsoil K. Long‐term K fertilization of corn and soybean rotations affected extractable K of both the topsoil and subsoil. The effects on subsoil K, however, were smaller compared with effects on the topsoil and varied markedly between sites, subsoil layers, and extractants.     

Chronology of anthropedogenesis in the Omiya tableland,Japan, based on a 14C age profile of humic acid

Volcanic ash soils along the western edge of the Omiya tableland, Japan, are covered with thick anthropogenic soil horizons. The formation of anthropogenic soil horizons occurs because of the soil dressing practice known as “Dorotsuke,” where alluvial soil materials are deposited on fields and mixed with volcanic ash topsoil by tillage over the years. To clarify the chronology of this anthropedogenesis, carbon-14 (¹⁴C) age profiles were estimated using humic acid fractions from three pedons: an anthropogenic soil, an undressed Andosol, and a Fluvisol. Soil charcoal fragments were also dated to estimate maximum burial age. Charcoal fragments displayed vertically random age distributions, indicating that the fragments may have had multiple origins. However, the age of charcoal in the lower part of the anthropogenic soil horizons indicated that the initiation of anthropedogenesis occurred later than the late 13th century. The ¹⁴C age profile of humic acid in the Andosol exhibited little variation in age with depth in the subsoil. The ¹⁴C age profile of humic acid in the Fluvisol suggested that the humic acid fraction included allochthonous old carbon (C), although the soil itself had been formed from recent sediments. The ¹⁴C age profile of humic acid in the anthropogenic soil showed features of its two component soils. The ¹⁴C ages in the volcanic ash subsoil matched with those in the Andosol, whereas the ages increased in the anthropogenic soil horizons because of supplementation with old C from alluvial soil materials. However, the peak ¹⁴C ages occurred in the lower part of the anthropogenic horizons, whereas the middle part on the peak position displayed a gradual age-depth gradient. This feature was interpreted as a sign of ¹⁴C activity equilibrium throughout anthropedogenesis. On the basis of this postulated ¹⁴C activity equilibrium, the linear age-depth gradient at the peak position was derived from differences in burial time, and burial ages were calculated by estimating steady-state ¹⁴C. The calculated ages were lower than the charcoal ages. These age estimates suggest that anthropedogenesis was initiated in the Middle Ages and reached an intermediate stage before or during the first half of the Edo period.     

Investigations into the fate of nitrilotriacetic acid in sewage sludge applied to agricultural land

The mobility of nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) in agricultural soil was assessed in a soil/sewage sludge admixture and following surface applications using laboratory scale soil columns. Rates of application were based on the guidelines published by the Department of the Environment (United Kingdom). Nitrilotriacetic acid concentrations were based on expected sewage sludge concentrations were NTA to be introduced as a replacement builder in detergent formulations. Admixtures were found to retain NTA more effectively in the topsoil (0 to 200 mm) than surface applications, with up to 9.5 % of the applied NTA passing through the topsoil following a surface application, when irrigated at average rainfall. Even at higher rates of irrigation a great proportion of the NTA was retained in a soil column containing topsoil and subsoil (200 to 300 mm). The adsorption capacity of the soil was determined in batch experiments and was found to be 17.5 μNTA g^?1 soil.     

Consequences of slotting on the pore characteristics of a sandy soil in northeast Thailand

In the sandy soils of northeast Thailand, root development is generally limited to the topsoil (0–20 cm depth) but a simple slotting intervention (20–40 cm) significantly increased the root frequency in the slotted material (E_slot) compared with the undisturbed subsoil (E horizon). The aim of this study was to investigate the consequences of slotting on the soil structure by analysing at different scales the pore characteristics of the original soil profile and of the soil material inside the slot. These characteristics were studied using bulk density measurements, image analysis of thin sections and mercury porosimetry. Our results showed that the total porosity of the E horizon and E_slot material was similar when measured in 100 cm³ cylinders, but that the pore size distribution had been changed by slotting. The unaltered E horizon contained mainly small pores characterized by a narrow distribution related to close packing of the sand grains, associated with some biological macropores probably with poor continuity as they did not contain roots despite their size. On average, pores were larger in the E_slot material, with a broader distribution resulting from looser packing of the sand grains but with fewer biological macropores. Although slotting reduced the number of biological pores, the looser packing appeared to be more favourable to root development than the presence of macropores in the E horizon. Finally, the comparison of the porosity in the different horizons with the porosity of the E_slot material, indicated the significance of the closeness of the sand packing on root development.     

Investigating translated data of the German soil‐quality assessment using pinpoint field validation

In contrast to modern soil‐profile characterization, alternative soil classifications, such as the German soil‐quality assessment (Bodenschätzung), bear a lower degree of scientific quality. However, despite originally created to determine the tax value of arable land and grassland, its high spatial resolution and complete areal coverage makes soil‐quality assessment a valuable tool. To assess its performance in a mountainous setting soil‐layer data of 60 soil pits, recorded in Bavaria (SE Germany) in the course of the soil‐quality assessment, were translated into German soil‐science terminology using the translation program NIBIS®. With regard to soil type and texture the translation was checked using pinpoint field validation based on soil‐science terminology. 57% of soil types and 61% of texture were correctly translated by NIBIS®. To obtain information about probable parameters that can explain the different results readily available parameters such as elapsed time between soil‐quality assessment and validation, altitude, slope, aspect, horizon thickness, lower edge of horizon, as well as weathering surface and silicate‐weathering rate derived from geological maps were used. Differences in topsoil texture were somewhat related to petrographic parameters, those of the lower subsoil showed a weak dependence to topographic parameters. The NIBIS® translation overrated the silt content to the expense of sand. Clay was the best‐matched texture class. The shift towards silty texture classes was the dominant factor for the differences of texture‐related values of the available water capacity and hydraulic conductivity. Both parameters as derived from the NIBIS® translation on the one and from field validation on the other hand were used to evaluate the water‐retention capacity of individual soil profiles. Despite differing input data the soils' water‐retention capacity was rated identical. Thus, a certain degree of disagreement between the texture data obtained from NIBIS® translation and from field validation is tolerable, if the eventual soil‐function evaluation is based on wide classes of texture or of secondary parameters derived from texture.     

基于不同模型不同指纹因子的东北黑土区小流域泥沙来源分析

基于指纹识别技术计算了东北黑土区典型小流域不同侵蚀产沙源地的泥沙贡献比。通过分析农地、林地、草地表层土以及侵蚀沟样品中的33种物质,使用非参数检验和多元判别分析筛选出包括P、Ce、Ga、Rb和137Cs组成的最优复合指纹因子,并将放射性核素137Cs和210Pbex作为第2组指纹因子,将最优复合指纹因子中的单个因子分别作为单因子,作为第3组指纹因子,分别利用多元混合线性模型、Bayesian模型和单因子解析解等泥沙来源指纹分析方法计算了表层土和侵蚀沟的相对泥沙贡献比。结果表明:基于不同模型不同指纹因子的泥沙来源贡献比结果虽不尽相同,但无重大差别。利用多元混合线性模型计算时,由放射性元素137Cs和210Pbex作为指纹因子计算的泥沙来源(表层土47.5%,侵蚀沟52.5%),与最优复合指纹因子计算的泥沙来源(表层土44.6%,侵蚀沟55.4%)基本一致;利用Bayesian模型计算时,由放射性元素137Cs和210Pbex作为指纹因子计算的表层土和侵蚀沟的泥沙贡献比约各占1/2,而利用最优复合指纹因子计算得到的泥沙贡献比中,表层土(58.8%)多于侵蚀沟(41.2%);以复合指纹因子中单个因子为指纹因子计算解析解,P、Ga、Ce、137Cs 4个因子的判别能力较强,能有效判别泥沙物源区;为保证泥沙贡献比计算结果的精确性,有必要确定各模型的计算精度,并挖掘具体的影响因素,调整参数或算法,为模型改进提供依据。研究发现,面积占比不足1%的侵蚀沟贡献了流域近1/2的泥沙,表明侵蚀沟发育引起的土壤流失不容小觑,应加强对该区侵蚀沟道的治理。     

Spatial variation of tracer distribution in a structured clay field soil

Within the sensitive soils of the River Oder Basin (E Brandenburg, Germany), chloride‐tracer transport was studied with respect to soil‐surface conditions of the well structured clayey topsoil (disturbed vs. undisturbed) and irrigation mode (flooding vs. sprinkling). The spatial variation of chloride and dye distribution was sampled in a regular grid within different soil depths. Different methods were used for the analysis of spatial heterogeneity: a heterogeneity index HI derived from fitting parameters of the cumulative distribution function, semivariogram analyses to identify the spatial representativity of observations and to classify the spatial variation, and Spearman's rank correlations to examine the spatial similarity of tracer distribution across different soil depths. Soil aggregation was obvious throughout the soil profile, and macropores and fractures were preferred flow paths for the tracer. Flood irrigation resulted in more “uniform” distribution than sprinkling did. However, preferential flow was identified for all treatments, where, once established below the surface layer, flow paths led to heterogeneity indices manifesting nonuniform flow and reduced lateral mixing between macropores and soil matrix. Within the flooded plot, spatial structure of chloride concentration was moderate unlike the strongly structured variation within the sprinkled plots. For purposes to generalize and to assess regional risk of the water and solute transport within the topsoil of the River Oder Basin, spatial autocorrelation ranges of about 15 cm should be considered and included into concepts of soil protection and land‐use management, soil‐sampling strategies, or modeling approaches.     

Wasser- und Elementtransport in einem Stagnogley am Hang der Bärhalde (Schwarzwald,Deutschland)

Water and Element Movement in a Stagnogley on the Slope of the Bärhalde Range (Black Forest, Germany) The soil water balance of this stagnogley (planosolic humic gleysol) is dominated by the very humid and cool climate, by the indurated subsoil and the solid parent granite as well as by its position on the lower slope of the Bärhalde ridge. Inspite of the high saturated water conductivity the drainage is impeded causing permanent waterlogging (average watertable at 55 cm below surface). Lateral flow through the soil exceeds seepage by 150 times. Inspite of the high input by lateral flow from the higher podzol area most of the major elements show reasonable losses throughout the profile. Other elements have losses in the topsoil which are compensated in the subsoil by gain from the lateral flow (Al, Be, Si). Especially elements with a mobility independent from redoxpotential have been accumulated throughout the entire period of soil formation (Pb, Zn). Some other trace elements accumulate recently because of increasing immissions (Cd, Cu, Co). Over all elements lateral flow through the profile exceeds vertical transport by 30 to 400 times.     

Initial soil organic carbon concentration influences the short-term retention of crop-residue carbon in the fine fraction of a heavy clay soil

Among factors controlling decomposition and retention of residue C in soil, effect of initial soil organic C (SOC) concentration remains unclear. We evaluated, under controlled conditions, short-term retention of corn residue C and total soil CO₂ production in C-rich topsoil and C-poor subsoil samples of heavy clay. Topsoil (0–20 cm deep, 31.3 g SOC kg^?1 soil) and subsoil (30–70 cm deep, 4.5 g SOC kg^?1 soil) were mixed separately with ¹³C–¹⁵N-labeled corn (Zea mays L.) residue at rates of 0 to 40 g residue C kg^?1 soil and incubated for 51 days. We measured soil CO₂–C production and the retention of residue C in the whole soil and the fine particle-size fraction (<50 μm). Cumulative C mineralization was always greater in topsoil than subsoil. Whole-soil residue C retention was similar in topsoil and subsoil at rates up to 20 g residue C kg^?1. There was more residue C retained in the fine fraction of topsoil than subsoil at low residue input levels (2.5 and 5 g residue C kg^?1), but the trend was reversed with high residue inputs (20 and 40 g residue C kg^?1). Initial SOC concentration affected residue C retention in the fine fraction but not in the whole soil. At low residue input levels, greater microbial activity in topsoil resulted in greater residue fragmentation and more residue C retained in the fine fraction, compared to the subsoil. At high residue input levels, less residue C accumulated in the fine fraction of topsoil than subsoil likely due to greater C saturation in the topsoil. We conclude that SOC-poor soils receiving high C inputs have greater potential to accumulate C in stable forms than SOC-rich soils.