东北黑土有机无机复合体组成及有机碳空间分布特征

以东北典型黑土区为研究对象,测定土壤不同粒级有机无机复合体、矿物颗粒和有机碳含量,探讨土壤有机无机复合体组成及其空间分布特征,分析土壤对有机碳的复合机制。结果表明:东北黑土有机无机复合体组成主要以细砂粒复合体为主,黏、粉粒复合体次之,其含量均随剖面发生层向下呈减少趋势,南北区域上,也呈降低趋势。有机碳在各级复合体中及土壤中的含量均随着复合体的粒径增大而减少。各级复合体有机碳在土壤中均呈随剖面发生层向下由A层呈指数函数下降,在区域上,因东北黑土剖面有机碳含量及南北温度差异有机无机复合体含量曲线随区域差异有所不同。同时也说明东北黑土黏粒仍有较大的碳库容量。从其组成和组分间的相关分析,黏粒是形成和增加粉粒复合体的基础,从而利于增加土壤有机碳储量和改善土壤团聚结构。     

水体沉积物与岸边土壤颗粒组成及有机碳分布特征

以长春市新立城水库和第二松花江干流沉积物及其水体岸边的土壤为对象,研究沉积物、土壤的颗粒组成(有机无机复合体)及有机碳在颗粒中的分布特征。结果表明:松花江沉积物和岸边土壤有机无机复合体组成均以砂粒复合体为主,粉粒复合体含量次之,黏粒复合体含量最少;整体而言,粘粒和粉粒复合体中有机质含量稍高,砂粒中有机含量略低。新立城水库沉积物有机无机复合体组成以黏粒复合体为主,粉粒复合体含量次之,砂粒复合体含量最少,而岸边土壤各级复合体的含量基本相当,大部分样品砂砾含量略微偏多;沉积物的有机碳平均含量高于土壤,且其黏粒复合体有机碳含量全部高于土壤黏粒复合体的有机碳含量,而粉粒复合体和砂粒复合体有机碳含量均低于岸边土壤的有机碳含量。以上说明对于流动性较大的河流,其岸边土壤各级复合体对沉积物复合体组成和有机碳分布均具有一定的贡献,而对于流动性较小的湖库,其岸边土壤各级复合体中黏粒复合体对沉积物复合体的组成和有机碳的分布具有较大的贡献。对于松花江水体而言,沉积物和岸边土壤粘土矿物组成基本相同,说明其中的沉积物颗粒部分来源于土壤。     

第二松花江干流底泥有机无机复合体组成及有机碳分布特征

以第二松花江干流为对象,研究其底泥有机无机复合体的组成及有机碳分布的差异,同时分析底泥有机无机复合体组成及其有机碳分布与岸边土壤之间的关系。结果表明:底泥与岸边土壤在有机无机复合体组成、有机碳分配和腐殖质组成方面表现出较好的一致性,说明岸边土壤对底泥的有机碳组成和分布有显著贡献。底泥的中央粒径呈现上游高、下游低的特点,抚松底泥中央粒径为200μm,吉林底泥中央粒径在70μm左右,榆树、松原底泥中央粒径在50μm左右;底泥的有机碳和腐殖酸含量也表现出上游高于下游的特点。底泥有机无机复合体组成以砂粒复合体为主,黏粒、粉粒复合体含量次之;并且随着复合体粒径的增加,有机碳含量减少。底泥HA/FA均大于1,从上游至下游表现为抚松>吉林>榆树>松原;底泥HA/FA均小于岸边土壤。     

民勤绿洲区撂荒农耕地土壤有机碳变化特征及影响因素

对民勤绿洲区不同撂荒年限农耕地0~60 cm土层土壤总有机碳(TOC)、轻组有机碳(LFC)和重组有机碳(HFC)剖面分布以及与土壤主要属性的关系进行了比较研究。结果表明:①撂荒区0~60 cm土层土壤TOC、LFC和HFC含量分别介于3.21~5.23、0.34~1.51、2.55~4.30g/kg,相对于常规耕作土壤,撂荒土壤TOC、LFC和HFC的下降主要发生在耕层(0~20 cm),撂荒40年间,TOC、LFC和HFC年均减幅分别为1.94%、5.46%和2.13%;20~60 cm土层土壤TOC和HFC含量总体呈现缓慢增长的趋势,撂荒40年TOC和HFC年增幅分别为0.31%和0.88%,LFC持续减少,年均减幅为1.18%。②撂荒地HFC对TOC的贡献大于LFC,土壤TOC和HFC含量分别与黏粒百分比和粉粒百分比呈极显著正相关,与砂粒百分比呈极显著负相关,LFC含量与粉粒、砂粒和黏粒百分比均未达到统计学上的显著相关,但LFC含量分别与土壤pH、EC和SAR(钠吸附比)呈显著或极显著相关,说明LFC对土壤盐碱化较为敏感。③逐步回归分析表明,土壤全氮、总碳氮比对土壤TOC、LFC和HFC影响较大。④随撂荒时间延长,耕层土壤逐步趋于粗质化,黏、粉粒含量不足,体积质量降低,盐碱化提高,不利于土壤有机碳的积累,随土层加深,黏、粉粒含量提高,有助于土壤有机碳的固持。     

不同耕作方式下黑土有机无机复合体变化及有机碳分布特征

研究了不同耕作方式下黑土有机无机复合体组成及有机碳在各级复合体中的分布特征。结果表明：黑土有机无机复合体组成以粉粒复合体为主;黑土有机碳主要存在于小粒级复合体中,开垦有使有机碳向小粒级复合体中聚集的趋势。随着复合体粒径的增大,有机碳各组分的含量趋于减少,HA/FA比值趋于增加;腐殖质碳主要集中在粉砂粒以下的复合体中,且复合体的粒径越小,HA所占比重越大。开垦可导致土壤复合体分散,不利于HA类胶结物质向小粒级复合体中分配,轮作有利于土壤有机碳的累积,土壤物理性状的改善及土壤肥力的提高。     

不同耕作方式下黑土有机无机复合体变化及有机碳分布特征

研究了不同耕作方式下黑土有机无机复合体组成及有机碳在各级复合体中的分布特征。结果表明:黑土有机无机复合体组成以粉粒复合体为主;黑土有机碳主要存在于小粒级复合体中,开垦有使有机碳向小粒级复合体中聚集的趋势。随着复合体粒径的增大,有机碳各组分的含量趋于减少,HA/FA比值趋于增加;腐殖质碳主要集中在粉砂粒以下的复合体中,且复合体的粒径越小,HA所占比重越大。开垦可导致土壤复合体分散,不利于HA类胶结物质向小粒级复合体中分配,轮作有利于土壤有机碳的累积,土壤物理性状的改善及土壤肥力的提高。     

荒漠草原沙漠化对土壤无机碳和有机碳的影响

以空间代替时间的方法,通过对宁夏荒漠草原不同沙漠化阶段土壤有机碳(SOC)和无机碳(SIC)的研究,探讨荒漠草原沙漠化对土壤SIC、SOC及不同粒径组分土壤SIC、SOC分布特征的影响。结果表明:(1)随着荒漠草原沙漠化程度的加剧,0—10cm土层各粒径组分土壤SIC和SOC含量呈下降趋势。半固定沙地和流动沙地各粒径组分土壤SIC含量均表现为黏粉粒无机碳(CSIC)>细砂粒无机碳(FIC)>粗砂粒无机碳(CIC),而SOC含量均表现为细砂粒有机碳(FOC)>粗砂粒有机碳(COC)>黏粉粒有机碳(CSOC)。(2)随着荒漠草原沙漠化程度的加剧,0—30cm土层土壤无机碳(SICD)、土壤有机碳(SOCD)和土壤总碳(STCD)密度均表现为荒漠草原>固定沙地>半固定沙地>流动沙地。固定沙地、半固定沙地和流动沙地土壤SOCD、SICD分别比荒漠草原降低了18.5%,57.7%,60.5%和6.7%,35.9%,47.0%。(3)0—10cm土层各粒径组分土壤SOC和SIC含量、全土SOC含量与0—30cm土层SOC和SIC均呈显著正相关关系,其中土壤粗砂粒有机碳和粗砂粒无机碳对SOC影响最大,而土壤黏粉粒有机碳和黏粉粒无机碳与全土SIC含量呈显著负相关关系。因此,沙漠化防治对于减少荒漠草原土壤碳损失极为重要。     

基于REE示踪的土壤团聚体破碎转化路径定量表征

土壤团聚体破碎转化路径是坡面侵蚀过程研究的难点问题之一。目前团聚体破碎转化路径的定量表征仍不明晰,一定程度上限制了土壤侵蚀过程中泥沙分选搬运机制的深入研究。基于大样带调查选取6种不同质地的典型农耕地土壤为研究对象,结合稀土元素(Rare Earth Elements,REE)示踪方法,综合分析不同粒径土壤团聚体(5~2,2~1,1~0.5,0.5~0.25,<0.25 mm)和不同径流扰动周期(24 h,7天)对REE吸附和解吸能力的影响,探究REE示踪不同粒径土壤团聚体破碎转化的可行性,定量表征了土壤团聚体破碎转化路径。结果表明:REE与土壤团聚体的实际吸附浓度低于施放浓度,2~1,1~0.5,0.5~0.25,<0.25 mm土壤团聚体的REE吸附浓度与黏粒含量呈显著正相关(P<0.05);径流扰动影响对吸附于土壤团聚体的REE解吸作用十分微弱,解吸浓度仅占REE实际吸附浓度的0.001%~0.139%。5~2,2~1,1~0.5,05~0.25,<0.25 mm土壤团聚体经过湿筛后向各粒径转化的路径基本相同,向<0.25 mm微团聚体转化为土壤团聚体破碎的主要路径。相较于粉粒、黏粒含量较高的土壤团聚体,砂粒含量较高的土壤团聚体向1~0.5,0.5~0.25 mm粒径的转化贡献率整体偏低。基于REE示踪得到的>0.25 mm各粒径团聚体质量整体被低估,低估范围为-27.96%^-11.08%;而<0.25 mm团聚体质量则被高估,高估范围为3.65%~22.73%。基于各粒径土壤团聚体的REE量化值建立了校正关系,可将计算相对误差降低至0.04%~16.24%。     

北江干流河岸带不同植被类型土壤粒径分形特征

结合野外调查与室内试验,以北江干流河岸带竹林、桉树林、混交林和草地土壤为对象,对比分析了不同植被类型土壤的颗粒组成与分形维数(D)特征及其与其他土壤理化性质的相关性。结果表明:北江干流河岸带土壤结构良好(D=2.79),质地均一,粒径分布均匀(粉粒、砂粒、黏粒百分比分别为40.66%,36.59%,22.75%),但随粒级增大,空间变异增强;D值与土壤颗粒组成显著相关,随黏粒和粉粒含量升高、砂粒含量降低,D值升高;不同植被类型土壤分形与颗粒组成差异明显,其中砂粒含量表现为竹林混交林草地桉树林,D值、粉粒和黏粒含量均表现为桉树林草地混交林竹林,竹林和桉树林对土壤结构的影响差异有显著(p0.05),其他植被类型影响差异不显著;D值、黏粒含量均与硝态氮(NO-3-N)和全磷(TP)含量分别呈显著负相关和显著正相关(p0.05)关系,土壤砂粒含量与含水量(SM)呈显著负相关(p0.05),土壤粉粒含量只与SM呈显著正相关,另外,D值、砂粒、粉粒和黏粒含量与总有机碳(TOC)和全氮(TN)的相关性均不显著。河岸带土壤受多种因素影响,其土壤理化性质间的相互关系与其他景观差异明显。     

名山县蒙山茶园土壤各粒级组分对K~+吸附-解吸特征的影响

以名山县蒙山茶园紫色土为对象,用物理方法将蒙山茶园紫色土分成粒径大小不同的土壤组分(≤0.002mm,0.02～0.002mm,0.2～0.02mm,2～0.2mm),分别通过动力学和热力学方法研究它们对K+的吸附-解吸行为。结果表明:紫色土不同粒级组分对K+的吸附量表现为小于0.002mm>0.02～0.002mm>原土>0.2～0.02mm>2～0.2mm,而解吸量则呈相反的规律。用Elovich方程、双常数方程、抛物线扩散方程及一级扩散方程分别对K+的吸附-解吸动力学数据进行拟合,并用Langmuir、Freundlich和Temkin热力学方程对等温吸附过程进行拟合。原土及各粒级组分K+的吸附量均随K+初始浓度的增大而增大,但各粒级组分吸附量大小关系各不相同,K+均向最小粒径富集。运用动力学方法,原土和各粒径组分对K+的吸附特性均用Elovich吸附方程拟合最佳,原土和各粒级组分对K+的解吸特性均用Elovich解吸方程拟合效果最佳。运用热力学方法,原土和土壤各粒级组分以及分别去除有机质和游离氧化铁后对K+的吸附特性均用Freundlich吸附方程拟合效果最佳,原土和土壤各粒级组分以及分别去除有机质和游离氧化铁后对K+的解吸特性均用Freundlich吸附方程拟合效果最佳。     

长期施肥土壤不同粒径颗粒的固碳效率

【目的】探讨不同施肥措施土壤有机碳在不同粒级颗粒中的分配及变化情况,可揭示各级颗粒中有机碳与外源有机碳输入之间的定量关系。【方法】依托南方红壤连续20年长期定位施肥试验,依据外源有机碳累积输入梯度选择不施肥(CK)、氮磷钾化肥配施(NPK)、氮磷钾化肥与秸秆配施(NPKS)、轮作条件下氮磷钾化肥与有机肥配施(NPKMR)、氮磷钾化肥与有机肥配施(NPKM)、单施有机肥(M)、增量氮磷钾化肥与增量有机肥配施(1.5NPKM)7个处理,并采用物理分组方法将土壤颗粒分为砂粒(53~2000μm)、粗粉粒(5~53μm)、细粉粒(2~5μm)和粘粒(2μm)4个组分。【结果】与不施肥相比,长期施肥均能显著增加土壤总有机碳及各级颗粒中的有机碳的储量,其中以施用有机肥的效果最明显。不同施肥处理各级颗粒中以粘粒的有机碳储量最高,平均为16.26 t/hm~2。施用有机肥和秸秆还田均能显著增加砂粒中有机碳的分配比例,降低粘粒有机碳的分配比例而对粗粉粒和细粉粒无显著影响。土壤砂粒所占的质量百分比及其与粗粉粒、细粉粒和粘粒的比值均与粗粉粒、细粉粒和粘粒组分中有机碳的浓度呈显著正相关关系表明小颗粒(粗粉粒、细粉粒和粘粒)中有机碳的固持和富集促进了大颗粒(砂粒)的形成与稳定。各级颗粒之间,施用有机肥处理的土壤粘粒组分的固碳速率最快,为0.29~0.52 t/(hm~2·a),其次为砂粒[0.30~0.40 t/(hm~2·a)]而粗粉粒和细粉粒的固碳速率基本相当为0.09~0.16t/(hm~2·a)。分析结果还表明土壤总有机碳及各级颗粒有机碳与外源有机碳的输入呈显著正线性相关关系,其中土壤总固碳效率为10.57%而各级颗粒之间,粘粒和砂粒组分的固碳效率(4.25%和3.60%)相当于粗粉粒和细粉粒(1.73%和1.00%)的2倍以上。【结论】南方红壤各级颗粒中有机碳均没有出现饱和现象,有机碳主要在土壤粘粒和砂粒组分中富集,细颗粒中有机碳的富集会促进大粒径土壤颗粒的形成而粘粒是土壤固碳效率最重要的矿物颗粒组成部分。表明长期配施有机肥不仅是红壤有机质提升的重要措施,也是改善红壤结构的重要途径。     

Influence of fertilization and organic amendments on organic‐carbon fractions in Heilu soil on the loess plateau of China

The influence of fertilization on organic‐carbon fractions separated by density and particle size in Heilu soil (Calcic Kastanozems, FAO) was investigated in a 20‐year (1979–1999) long‐term experiment on the Loess Plateau of China. Compared to an unfertilized treatment, N application alone did not increase total organic carbon (TOC) and its fractions of density and particle size. However, the treatment of N + P fertilization significantly increased salty‐solution–soluble organic carbon (SSOC), microbial biomass C (MB‐C), and organic C associated with fine silt. When manure was applied alone and in combination with N and P fertilizer, the light fraction of organic C (LFOC), SSOC, and MB‐C were increased significantly, and the TOC was as high as that of a native Heilu soil. Organic C associated with different particle‐size fractions was also increased significantly, and the allocation of C among the fractions was altered: the proportions of C in sand (>50 μm), coarse‐silt (20–50 μm), and fine‐clay (<0.2 μm) fractions were increased whereas fine‐silt (2–20 μm) and coarse‐clay (0.2–2 μm) fractions were decreased. It is concluded that N fertilizer alone is not capable of restoring organic‐matter content in the Heilu soils of the Loess Plateau and that C‐containing material like manure and straw is necessary to produce significant increase in soil organic carbon in these soils.     

Land‐use effects on the distribution of soil organic carbon within particle‐size fractions of volcanic soils in the Transmexican Volcanic Belt (Mexico)

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of land‐use and forest cover depletion on the distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) within particle‐size fractions in a volcanic soil. Emphasis was given to the thermal properties of soils. Six representative sites in Mexico were selected in an area dominated by Andosols: a grassland site, four forested sites with different levels of degradation and an agricultural site. Soils were fractionated using ultrasonic energy until complete dispersion was achieved. The particle‐size fractions were coarse sand, fine sand, silt, clay and particulate organic matter from the coarse sand sized fraction (POM‐CS) and fine sand (POM‐FS). Soil organic carbon decreased by 70% after forest conversion to cropland and long‐term cultivation; forest cover loss resulted in a decrease in SOC of up to 60%. The grassland soil contained 45% more SOC than the cropland one. Soil organic carbon was mainly associated with the silt‐size fraction; the most sensitive fractions to land‐use change and forest cover depletion were POM followed by SOC associated with the silt and clay‐sized fractions. Particulate organic matter can be used as an early indicator of SOC loss. The C lost from the clay and silt‐sized fractions was thermally labile; therefore, the SOC stored in the more degraded forest soils was more recalcitrant (thermally resistant). Only the transformation of forest to agricultural land produced a similar loss of thermally stable C associated with the silt‐sized fraction.     

有机肥对棕壤不同粒级有机碳和氮的影响

采集棕壤长期肥料定位试验站不施肥和施用不同用量有机肥的土壤,通过超声波分散—离心分离得到细黏粒(<0.2μm)、粗黏粒(0.2～2μm)、粉粒(2～53μm)、细砂粒(53～250μm)和粗砂粒(250～2000μm)5个颗粒级别后,分析全土及不同粒级中土壤有机碳和氮并进行含量与分布的比较。结果表明,有机质主要分布于黏粒级中,其含量占全土有机碳的42.8%、全氮的58.3%,碳氮比随着粒级的增加而逐渐增大,表明氮易于在小粒级中富集。长期施用有机肥后,全土及各粒级有机碳和氮含量均有显著增加;砂粒级中有机碳和氮的富集系数升高,黏粒级中富集系数降低,粉粒级和砂粒级中的碳氮比降低。增加有机肥的用量加强了全土和各粒级对有机碳和氮的积累,同时加强了粉粒级和砂粒级碳氮比降低的程度。     

Relative importance of sorption versus aggregation for organic matter storage in subsoil horizons of two contrasting soils

Soil organic matter (OM) stabilization by the mineral phase can take place through sorption and aggregation. In this study we examined both of these processes, (i) organic carbon (OC) sorption onto clay‐sized particles and (ii) OC occlusion in silt‐size aggregates, with the objective of evaluating their relative importance in OM storage and stabilization in soil. We studied two loamy soil profiles (Haplic Luvisol and Plinthic Cambisol) currently under agricultural use down to a depth of 2 m. Our approach was based on two parallel fractionation methods using different dispersion intensities; these methods isolated a free clay fraction (non‐occluded) and a clay fraction occluded within water‐stable silt‐size aggregates. The two clay fractions were analysed for their C content and ¹⁴C activity. The proportion of sorbed OC was estimated as OC loss after hydrofluoric acid (HF) demineralization. Our results showed an important contribution to SOM stabilization by occlusion of OC into silt‐size aggregates with depth through both soil profiles. In the Haplic Luvisol, OC associated with clay and located in silt‐size aggregates accounted for 34–64% of the total soil OC, whereas in the Plinthic Cambisol this occluded material represented 34–40% of total OC. In the Haplic Luvisol, more OC was located in silt‐size aggregates than was sorbed onto clay‐size minerals, suggesting that silt‐size aggregation plays a dominant role in OC storage in this soil. In the Plinthic Cambisol, the abundance of sorbed OC increased with depth and contributed more to the stored C than that associated with silt‐size aggregates. Radiocarbon dating of both clay fractions (either occluded within silt‐size aggregates or not) suggests, in the case of the Plinthic Cambisol, a preferential stabilization of OC within silt‐size aggregates.     

土壤颗粒悬液搅拌对土壤质地分析的影响

[目的]探究土壤颗粒悬液搅拌对土壤质地分析的影响,为实验室准确测定土壤机械组成提供可行的参考与指导。[方法]采用比重法测定土壤机械组成,在搅拌不同行程、搅拌不同次数、悬液静置不同时间后搅拌、不同测定时点搅拌的多种条件下所测结果进行比较分析。[结果]搅拌行程、搅拌次数、悬液静置后搅拌对黏粒含量测定无影响,对粉砂粒和砂粒含量测定均有影响。搅棒从液面下行至沉降筒底搅拌,有利于颗粒充分运动及均匀分布,黏粒、粉砂粒、砂粒含量测定稳定,精密度良好;以氢氧化钠为分散剂的悬液搅拌30次,黏粒、粉砂粒、砂粒含量测定准确,精密度良好;悬液静置的适宜时间大于1h,搅拌30次所测粉砂粒和砂粒含量的精密度呈下降趋势,搅拌45次所测粉砂粒、砂粒、黏粒含量稳定,精密度良好,与洗后即搅拌30次的测定结果一致。在第2测定时点增加搅拌1min对测定结果无影响。[结论]本试验方法测定结果准确可靠,避免了重复操作,有利于减少误差,适用于多个样品的同时检测。     

化肥对黑土不同粒级碳水化合物的影响

本文采集公主岭市长期定位监测基地不施肥和施用不同化肥的黑土,通过超声波分散-离心分离得到细黏粒(<0.2μm)、粗黏粒(0.2～2μm)、粉粒(2～53μm)、细砂粒(53～250μm)、粗砂粒(250～2000μm)5个颗粒级别,分析全土及不同粒级中土壤碳水化合物并进行含量与分布的比较。结果表明,黑土中不同粒级碳水化合物库的性质差异显著,碳水化合物多集中在粉+黏粒中;长期施用化肥后,黑土全土及各粒级碳水化合物库大小和浓度基本上没有变化;粗砂粒级(Gal+Man)(:Ara+Xyl)下降,表明该粒级中植物来源碳水化合物所占比重有所增加,暗示出粗砂粒级对施肥措施更为敏感。     

Retention of copper, cadmium and zinc in soil and its textural fractions influenced by long-term field management

The present study investigated the impact of long‐term soil management on the metal retention capacity of soil. We examined the sorption behaviour of Cu, Cd and Zn in soils and in the various particle‐size fractions of these soils, which had been amended with farmyard manure, mineral fertilizers or were fallow for 38 years in a long‐term field experiment. The soils investigated contained different amounts and origins of organic matter and differed in soil pH, but the mineral phase showed less response to the different soil managements. Batch adsorption and desorption experiments as well as a sequential fractionation schema, which defines seven geochemical fractions, were used to investigate the retention properties of soil. Sequential extraction was conducted with original as well as with metal‐spiked soils. Results showed that amounts of Cu, Cd and Zn retained differed by a factor of more than 3 among the treatments in the long‐term field experiment, when a massive concentration of metal was added to soil. An increased sorption on smaller particle size fractions occurred (clay ≫ silt > fine sand ≥ coarse sand) due to the larger surface area as well as the greater carbon content in the smaller fractions. Soil sorption behaviour in another long‐term field experiment was estimated based on the present particle‐sorption data. Differences in the sorption behaviour were related to differences in soil mineralogy and amounts of Fe‐ and Mn‐oxides. Fractionation of the original and the metal‐spiked soil underlined the contribution of organic matter to sorption capacity (sequence: Cu ≫ Cd > Zn). Different organic matter contents and a different soil pH considerably changed the amounts of metals in the defined geochemical fractions. Freshly added Cu, Cd and Zn ions were found mainly in more mobile fractions. In contrast, metals in non‐spiked soils appeared in less‐mobile fractions reflecting their long‐term sorption behaviour.     

Phospholipid fatty acid profiles and xylanase activity in particle size fractions of forest soil and casts of Lumbricus terrestris L. (Oligochaeta,Lumbricidae)

Earthworms are key agents in organic matter decomposition, as they remove surface plant litter material and mix it with mineral soil. Plant litter material is comminuted in the gizzard of anecic earthworms and this is enhanced if sand particles are available. We hypothesize that this comminution of soil and litter will result in changes in the distribution of soil organic matter and soil microorganisms in the different particle-size fractions. We investigated soil organic matter content, xylanase- and microbial activity and community structure in bulk soil and particle size fractions of Lumbricus terrestris L. casts and in soil with and without the addition of beech litter.Earthworm gut passage did not affect the particle-size distribution but the content of soil organic matter was decreased in the fine sand fraction in treatments without litter (−6.80%) and increased in treatments with litter (+33.23%). The soil organic matter content of the clay fraction tended to be higher in earthworm casts. Xylanase activity was at a maximum in the fine sand fraction, lower in the coarse sand fraction and at a similar minimum in the silt- and clay-sized fraction. In the coarse sand fraction of the cast and litter treatments xylanase activity was increased by 39.1% and 124.8%, respectively. In the silt-sized fraction of casts the addition of litter increased xylanase activity (+58.6%) whereas, in casts without litter it was decreased (−36.25%). In the particle size fractions of casts, the content of bacterial PLFAs was decreased in the fine sand fraction and tended to be decreased in the clay fraction compared to the respective fractions in soil. In the silt fraction the fungal-to-bacterial PLFA ratio was higher in casts than in soil.We conclude that earthworms stabilize soil organic matter in cast aggregates predominantly by increasing the soil organic matter content in the clay fraction where it becomes protected against microbial attack. Organic matter in the coarse and fine sand fractions is decomposed primarily by fungi; xylanase is very active in these sand fractions and incorporation of litter into these fractions by the earthworms increased fungal biomass. Comminution of litter during passage through the earthworm gut increased the biomass and activity of fungi also in the silt fraction. The use of PLFA profiles in combination with other quantitative microbial methods improves the understanding of stabilizing and mobilizing processes in earthworm casts.     

Decomposability of organic matter in particle size fractions from field soils with straw incorporation

Soils from two field experiments on straw disposal were fractionated according to particle size using ultrasonic dispersion and gravity-sedimentation in water. Samples of whole soils, clay. silt and sand-size fractions were held for 49 days at 20°C and the CO₂ evolution measured on 14 dates by gas chromatography.Recovery of soil solids. C and N was 99, 98 and 93%, respectively. Most of the soil C and N was in the clay (<2μm). (loamy sand, 50% C and 56% N; sandy loam. 65% C and 68% N), the silt (2–20 μm) having smaller proportions (loamy sand, 41% C and 38% N; sandy loam. 29% C and 27% N). The sand fraction (20–6000 μm) accounted for 4–7% of the organic matter, and 1–2% of the C was water soluble. Straw incorporation generally increased the C and N content of whole soils and size fractions.The decomposition rate constants were higher for the sandy loam than for the loamy sand soil. For both soils, the decomposability of the organic matter decreased in the order: sand > clay ⩾ whole soil > silt. Straw incorporation increased the decomposition rate of whole soil and sand organic matter. whereas the effect of straw on clay and silt respiration was small.Between 58 and 73% of the respiration was from clay, 21–25% from silt and 6–19% from the sand size fraction.