Extraction of water‐soluble organic matter from mineral horizons of forest soils

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is involved in many important biogeochemical processes in soil. As its collection is laborious, very often water‐soluble organic matter (WSOM) obtained by extracting organic or mineral soil horizons with a dilute salt solution has been used as a substitute of DOM. We extracted WSOM (measured as water‐soluble organic C, WSOC) from seven mineral horizons of three forest soils from North‐Rhine Westphalia, Germany, with demineralized H₂O, 0.01 M CaCl₂, and 0.5 M K₂SO₄. We investigated the quantitative and qualitative effects of the extractants on WSOM and compared it with DOM collected with ceramic suction cups from the same horizons. The amounts of WSOC extracted differed significantly between both the extractants and the horizons. With two exceptions, K₂SO₄ extracted the largest amounts of WSOC (up to 126 mg C kg^–1) followed by H₂O followed by CaCl₂. The H₂O extracts revealed by far the highest molar UV absorptivities at 254 nm (up to 5834 L mol^–1 cm^–1) compared to the salt solutions which is attributed to solubilization of highly aromatic compounds. The amounts of WSOC extracted did not depend on the amounts of Fe and Al oxides as well as on soil organic C and pH. Water‐soluble organic matter extracted by K₂SO₄ bore the largest similarity to DOM due to relatively analogue molar absorptivities. Therefore, we recommend to use this extractant when trying to obtain a substitute for DOM, but as WSOM extraction is a rate‐limited process, the suitability of extraction procedures to obtain a surrogate of DOM remains ambiguous.     

Effect of CaCl2 on the kinetics of dissolved organic matter release from a sandy soil�

The dissolution of organic matter in soil is of fundamental relevance for the fate of organic contaminants associated with organic matter and for the microbial availability of organic matter. In this study, the kinetics of soil organic matter (SOM) dissolution from a sandy forest soil was investigated under different electrolyte conditions, using a continuous extraction method. The mathematical analysis of the concentration signal obtained from extractions with constant flow rates and after sudden flow rate changes showed that the dissolution of SOM is diffusion limited. The dissolution rate was lower during extraction with 0.01 M CaCl₂. The reaction on sudden flow rate changes was slower when extracting with 0.01 M CaCl₂ as compared to water, and the mechanism was different. These observations were explained by a gel phase developing in the swelling SOM. The lower dissolution rates found for extractions with 0.01 M CaCl₂ could indicate a more stable gel structure in the presence Ca²⁺. The development of the gel phase may be influenced by mechanical strain due to increased flow rates.     

Properties of dissolved organic matter related to soil organic matter quality and nitrogen additions in Norway spruce forest floors

The quality of dissolved organic matter (DOM) is highly variable and little information is available on the relation of DOM quality to the structure and composition of its parent soil organic matter (SOM). The effect of increasing N inputs to forest soils on the structure and composition of both SOM and DOM also remains largely unclear. Here we studied the release of DOM, its specific UV absorption and two humification indices (HIX) derived from fluorescence spectra from Oa material of 15 North- and Central-European Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) stands. The Oa material was incubated aerobically at 15 °C and water holding capacity over a period of 10 months and extracted monthly with an artificial throughfall solution. Soil respiration was determined weekly. The influence of mineral N inputs on composition of DOM and on respiration rates was investigated on periodically NH₄NO₃-treated Oa samples of eight selected sites. Release of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from untreated Oa material samples ranged from 0.0 to 58.6 μg C day⁻¹ g C⁻¹ and increased with increasing C-to-N ratio. One HIX and UV absorption of DOM were negatively correlated to the degree of oxidation of lignin-derived compounds and positively to the C-to-N ratio and – HIX only – to the aromatic C content of SOM. Mineral N addition had no distinct effect on respiration rates. In six of eight samples the N-treatment caused an increase in specific UV absorption or one HIX of DOM. However, these effects were not statistically significant. Addition of mineral N did not affect the rates of DOM release. Our results show that properties of SOM largely determine the amount and quality of DOM in forest floors. Changes of DOM quality due to mineral N additions are likely, but we cannot confirm significant changes of DOM release.     

热辐射对水稻土有机质组成的影响

本文研究了受不同程度热辐射后的水稻土中有机质组分的变化情况,结果表明:随温度升高,土壤中水溶性有机碳(DOC)含量先增加后减少,200℃变化尤为显著,增加为CK的3.68 ～ 7.45倍,中性糖、糖醛酸与DOC的变化趋势一致.辐射温度不同,土壤中的胡敏酸、富里酸组成和含量亦发生不同程度的变化,300℃胡/富比值最大(1.79 ～ 5.04),土壤腐殖质聚合程度增加;200℃胡敏酸的E4/E6比值最大,反映此温度下土壤芳香缩合度低、具有较多的脂族结构物质、土壤腐殖化程度低.     

Contribution of dissolved organic matter to carbon storage in forest mineral soils

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is often considered the most labile portion of organic matter in soil and to be negligible with respect to the accumulation of soil C. In this short review, we present recent evidence that this view is invalid. The stability of DOM from forest floor horizons, peats, and topsoils against microbial degradation increases with advanced decomposition of the parent organic matter (OM). Aromatic compounds, deriving from lignin, likely are the most stable components of DOM while plant‐derived carbohydrates seem easily degradable. Carbohydrates and N‐rich compounds of microbial origin produced during the degradation of DOM can be relatively stable. Such components contribute much to DOM in the mineral subsoil. Sorption of DOM to soil minerals and (co‐)precipitation with Al (and probably also with Fe), especially of the inherently stable aromatic moieties, result in distinct stabilization. In laboratory incubation experiments, the mean residence time of DOM from the Oa horizon of a Haplic Podzol increased from <30 y in solution to >90 y after sorption to a subsoil. We combined DOM fluxes and mineralization rate constants for DOM sorbed to minerals and a subsoil horizon, and (co‐)precipitated with Al to estimate the potential contribution of DOM to total C in the mineral soil of a Haplic Podzol in Germany. The contribution of roots to DOM was not considered because of lack of data. The DOM‐derived soil C ranges from 20 to 55 Mg ha^–1 in the mineral soil, which represents 19%–50% of the total soil C. The variation of the estimate reflects the variation in mineralization rate constants obtained for sorbed and (co‐)precipitated DOM. Nevertheless, the estimates indicate that DOM contributes significantly to the accumulation of stable OM in soil. A more precise estimation of DOM‐derived C in soils requires mineralization rate constants for DOM sorbed to all relevant minerals or (co‐)precipitated with Fe. Additionally, we need information on the contribution of sorption to distinct minerals as well as of (co‐)precipitation with Al and Fe to DOM retention.     

溶解性有机质影响土壤吸附重金属的研究进展

溶解性有机质(Dissolved organic matter,DOM)由于含有羧基、羟基、羰基和甲氧基等活性功能团,能作为重金属在环境中的迁移"载体"或"配位体",通过与土壤中重金属之间的离子交换吸附、络合、螯合等一系列反应抑制或促进重金属在土壤中的吸附,影响重金属的沉淀、迁移转化和生物有效性,进一步影响生态环境安全和人类健康。因此,详细介绍了DOM尤其是外源DOM的来源、提取和组成,同时综述了溶解性有机质对土壤吸附重金属的影响及其影响机理的研究进展。     

南亚热带森林演替过程土壤水分、有机质和交换性阳离子的变化格局

Information on the distribution patterns of soil water content （SWC）, soil organic matter （SOM）, and soil exchangeable cations （SEC） is important for managing forest ecosystems in a sustainable manner. This study investigated how SWC, SOM, and SEC were influenced in forests along a successional gradient, including a regional climax （monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest, or MEBF）, a transitional forest （coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest, or MF）, and a pioneer forest （coniferous Masson pine （Pinus rnassoniana） forest, or MPF） of the Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve in the subtropical region of southern China. SWC, SOM, and SEC excluding Ca^2＋ were found to increase in the soil during forest succession, being highest in the top soil layer （0 to 15 cm depth） except for Na^＋. The differences between soil layers were largest in MF. This finding also suggested that the nutrients were enriched in the topsoil when they became increasingly scarce in the soil. There were no significant differences （P = 0.05） among SWC, SOM, and SEC. A linear, positive correlation was found between SWC and SOM. The correlation between SOM and cation exchange capacity （CEC） was statistically significant, which agreed with the theory that the most important factor determining SEC is SOM. The ratio of K^＋ to Na^＋ in the topsoil was about a half of that in the plants of each forest. MF had the lowest exchangeable Ca^2＋ concentration among the three forests and Ca^2＋：K^＋ in MPF was two times higher than that in MF. Understanding the changes of SWC, SOM, and CEC during forest succession would be of great help in protecting all three forests in southern China.     

Distribution of monoterpenes between organic resources in upper soil horizons under monocultures of Picea abies, Picea sitchensis and Pinus sylvestris

The aim of this study was to compare the monoterpene content and distribution in litters and roots of three conifer species: Picea abies (L.) Karst, Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr. and Pinus sylvestris (L.). We analysed the monoterpene content of green needles, needle litter, F (fermentation) layer material and roots collected from monoculture plots. The rate of loss of monoterpenes from freshly fallen litter in the field was also studied at two monthly intervals over 10 months, to assess the length of time that monoterpenes entering the litter layer remain. Monoterpene analysis was carried out by extracting homogenised samples in hexane and identifying and quantifying the resulting monoterpenes using gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Mean total monoterpene concentrations varied significantly between the three species examined (e.g. in freshly fallen litter 1531 ± 96, 100 ± 5 and 1175 ± 122 μg g⁻¹ d. wt for P. abies, P. sitchensis and P. sylvestris); each species had distinctive and consistent monoterpene profiles associated with each type of tissue, and total monoterpene concentrations in green needles varied between individual trees of the same species, particularly for P. sitchensis. A substantial proportion of the monoterpene content of green needles remained in the needles after litter fall for P. abies (42%), P. sitchensis (11%) and P. sylvestris (30%). Although rates of monoterpene loss from needle litters varied initially (P. sylvestris > P. abies > P. sitchensis), the majority of the monoterpene content was lost after 4-6 months. Maximum monoterpene emission rates from decaying litter were calculated of 39 (P. abies), 1.7 (P. sitchensis) and 39 μg m⁻² h⁻¹ (P. sylvestris). Monoterpene concentrations in F layer material were very low (<10 μg g⁻¹ d. wt). Roots, particularly in P. sylvestris, represented a significant pool of monoterpenes (185 ± 16, P. abies; 258 ± 54, P. sitchensis; 2133 ± 200 μg g⁻¹ d. wt, P. sylvestris). The monoterpene profile was similar between roots and litter of P. sylvestris (α-pinene most abundant), and for P. sitchensis, (limonene and α-pinene most abundant), although a different pattern was observed between needle litter (most abundant β-pinene) and roots (most abundant myrcene) of P. abies. The relatively high concentrations and different profiles of monoterpenes characterised in upper organic soil horizons here emphasise the need for their influence on soil ecological processes to be assessed.     

Different effect of drying on the fluxes of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen from a Norway spruce forest floor

The forest floor represents the major source of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON) in forest soils. The release mechanisms of DOC and DON from forest floors and their environmental controls as well as the dynamics of concentrations and fluxes are still poorly understood. We investigated the effect of drying and rewetting on the release of DOC and DON from a Norway spruce forest floor. Undisturbed soil columns of 17 cm diameter and 15—20 cm height were taken with 7 replicates from the forest floor of a mature Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) site and established at 10°C in the laboratory. Columns were exposed to different periods of drying (3, 5, 10, 20 days). Each drying period was followed by a rewetting for 5 days at an irrigation rate of 10 mm d^—1 with a natural throughfall solution. The percolates from the forest floor were collected daily and analyzed for DOC, total N, NH₄, NO₃, pH, electrical conductivity and major ions. Drying for 10 and 20 days decreased the water content of the Oi horizon from 280% dry weight to about 30%. The water content of the Oe and the Oa horizon only changed from about 300% to 200%. The fluxes of DOC from the forest floor were moderately effected by drying and rewetting with an increase after 3 and 5 days of drying, but a decrease after 10 and 20 days. On the contrary, the drying for 10 and 20 days resulted in a drastic increase of the DON fluxes and a subsequent decrease of the DOC/DON ratios in the forest floor percolates from about 50 to 3.3. These results suggest that the mechanisms for DOC release in forest floors differ from those for DON and that drying and rewetting cause temporal variations in the DOC/DON ratios in forest floor percolates.     

Characterisation of a humus profile under beech forest by using wet-chemistry and CPMAS 13C NMR-spectroscopy in consideration of spatial heterogeneity

Three of ten macromorphologically similar humus profiles of a Dystric Cambisol under a beech forest were randomly chosen and the litter and humus layers were characterized by wet-chemistry and CPMAS ¹³C NMR-spectroscopy. The spatial heterogeneity of the litter and humus layers was high for the bulk density and for the sugar and starch fraction; lowest coefficients of variation were obtained for the chemical shift range of O-Alkyl-C. The spatial heterogeneity of the layers did not differ by means of all chemical methods. Changes in the chemical composition at the beginning of humification were high from the fresh fallen litter (Ln-layer) to the morphologically only slightly altered litter in the L-layer, whereas the changes in the litter and humus layers from the L to the Ohf-layer were minor. However, the organic matter of the first mineral horizon was characterized by a decrease in lignin and cellulose. With wet-chemistry and ¹³C NMR-spectroscopy similar results were obtained for polysaccharides whereas results which can be attributed to changes in lignin deduced by the methoxyl content differed from each other.     

Chemistry of soil organic matter as related to C : N in Norway spruce forest (Picea abies(L.) Karst.) floors and mineral soils

Due to high nitrogen deposition in central Europe, the C : N ratio of litter and the forest floor has narrowed in the past. This may cause changes in the chemical composition of the soil organic matter. Here we investigate the composition of organic matter in Oh and A horizons of 15 Norway spruce soils with a wide range of C : N ratios. Samples are analyzed with solid‐state ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, along with chemolytic analyses of lignin, polysaccharides, and amino acid‐N. The data are investigated for functional relationships between C, N contents and C : N ratios by structural analysis. With increasing N content, the concentration of lignin decreases in the Oh horizons, but increases in the A horizons. A negative effect of N on lignin degradation is observed in the mineral soil, but not in the humus layer. In the A horizons non‐phenolic aromatic C compounds accumulate, especially at low N values. At high N levels, N is preferentially incorporated into the amino acid fraction and only to a smaller extent into the non‐hydrolyzable N fraction. High total N concentrations are associated with a higher relative contribution of organic matter of microbial origin.     

不同降噪方式下基于高分五号影像的土壤有机质反演

通过遥感技术预测土壤有机质（Soil Organic Matter,SOM）的空间分布是精准农业和土地资源管理研究的重要内容,与粮食安全及环境监测密切相关。该研究主要研究采用高分五号（GF-5）反演土壤有机质的最佳降噪方式。以黑龙江省典型黑土区明水县为研究对象,获取GF-5高光谱遥感影像,对影像进行不同降噪处理,包括奇异值分解（Singular Value Decomposition,SVD）,离散小波变换（Discrete Wavelet Transform,DWT）及中值滤波（Median Filtering,MF）降噪。然而,分别结合二维光谱指数,应用随机森林（Random Forest,RF）方法预测不同降噪方式的SOM含量。结果表明：1）所选择的不同降噪方法中,与SOM含量的相关性由高到低依次为DWT、SVD、MF,其中,基于MF降噪后的光谱反射率与SOM含量相关性低于原始反射率与SOM含量的相关性。2）基于降噪方式下的光谱曲线更加平滑,且不同有机质含量对应的光谱曲线形状相似。3）采用DWT降噪方式,基于影像波段和光谱指数,以RF为预测模型的SOM最优反演模型精度R2为0.69,均方根误差为2.26%。研究成果可为利用高光谱卫星数据实现大尺度范围内SOM的数字土壤制图提供参考,为实时定量监测土壤肥力变化提供依据。     

Effects of nitrogen deposition on soil organic carbon fractions in the subtropical forest ecosystems of S China

Experiments were conducted between 2003 and 2008 to examine how N additions influence soil organic C (SOC) and its fractions in forests at different succession stages in the subtropical China. The succession stages included pine forest, pine and broadleaf mixed forest, and old‐growth monsoon evergreen broadleaf forest. Three levels of N (NH₄NO₃)‐addition treatments comprising control, low‐N (50 kg N ha^–1 y^–1), and medium‐N (100 kg N ha^–1 y^–1) were established. An additional treatment of high‐N (150 kg N ha^–1 y^–1) was established in the broadleaf mixed forest. Soil samples were obtained in July 2008 for analysis. Total organic C (TOC), particulate organic C (POC, > 53 μm), readily oxidizable organic C (ROC), nonreadily oxidizable organic C (NROC), microbial biomass C (MBC), and soil properties were analyzed. Nitrogen addition affected the TOC and its fractions significantly. Labile organic‐C fractions (POC and ROC) in the topsoil (0–10 cm) increased in all the three forests in response to the N‐addition treatments. NROC within the topsoil was higher in the medium‐N and high‐N treatments than in the controls. In the topsoil profiles of the broadleaf forest, N addition decreased MBC and increased TOC, while no significant effect on MBC and TOC occurred in the pine and mixed forests. Overall, elevated N deposition increased the availability of labile organic C (POC and ROC) and the accumulation of NROC within the topsoil irrespective of the forest succession stage, and might enhance the C‐storage capacity of the forest soils.     

森林生态系统中土壤有机质组分的固态13C核磁共振波谱表征

Forest management practices such as prescribed burning and thinning in forest ecosystems may alter the properties of soil organic matter (SOM).In this study,surface soils from field plots in the Bankhead National Forest,Alabama,USA,were used to investigate possible SOM transformations induced by thinning and burning.Elemental analysis and solid-state 13C cross polarization magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (13C CPMAS NMR) spectroscopy were used to characterize SOM fractions in whole soils,humic substances,and density fractions.Our data revealed that the changes in SOM fractions due to the repeated burning carried out in the forest ecosystem studied were involved mainly with alkyl C,O-alkyl C,and carbohydrate functional groups,implying that most prominent reactions that occurred involved dehydrogenation,de-oxygenation,and decarboxylation.In addition,burning and thinning might have also affected the distribution and composition of free and occluded particulate SOM fractions.The limited structural changes in SOM fractions suggested that low-intensity prescribed fire in the forest ecosystem studied will not create major structural changes in SOM fractions.     

Organic‐carbon and nitrogen stocks and organic‐carbon fractions in soil under mixed pine and oak forest stands of different ages in NE Germany

The objective of this work was to evaluate the C and N stocks and organic‐C fractions in soil under mixed forest stands of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Sessile oak (Quercus petraea [Matt.] Liebl.) of different ages in NE Germany. Treatments consisted of pure pine (age 102 y), and pine (age 90–102 y) mixed with 10‐, 35‐, 106‐, and 124‐y‐old oak trees. After sampling O layers, soils in the mineral layer were taken at two different depths (0–10 and 10–20 cm). Oak admixture did not affect total organic‐C (TOC) and N stocks considering the different layers separately. However, when the sum of TOC stocks in the organic and mineral layers was considered, TOC stocks decreased with increasing in oak age (r² = 0.58, p < 0.10). The microbial C (C_MB) was not directly correlated with increase of oak age, however, it was positively related with presence of oak species. There was an increase in the percentage of the C_MB‐to‐TOC ratio with increase of oak‐tree ages. On average, light‐fraction C (C_LF) comprised 68% of the soil TOC in upper layer corresponding to the highest C pool in the upper layer. C_LF and heavy‐fraction C (C_HF) were not directly affected by the admixture of oak trees in both layers. The C_HF accounted on average for 30% and 59% of the TOC at 0–10 and 10–20 cm depths, respectively. Despite low clay contents in the studied soils, the differences in the DCB‐extractable Fe and Al affected the concentrations of the C_HF and TOC in the 10–20 cm layers (p < 0.05). Admixture of oak in pine stands contributed to reduce topsoil C stocks, probably due to higher soil organic matter turnover promoted by higher quality of oak litter.     

长期定位试验条件下的水稻田土壤有机质含量变化研究

依托湖北武汉、重庆北碚、湖南望城、湖南祁阳、江西南昌、浙江杭州6个水稻土壤肥力长期定位试验历史样品及数据,分析和讨论了土壤有机质含量变化趋势及对施化肥和有机肥的响应差异。施有机肥提升土壤有机质含量显著高于施化肥的效果。施化肥NPK处理,6个试验点土壤有机质含量都呈现提升趋势;但是,有机质平均年增量、有机质累计增量与累计有机肥施用量的比值都是逐年下降的,固定施肥方法提高土壤有机质含量是有限的,最高达到平衡点,施化肥的有机质含量的平衡点低于施有机肥的,土壤有机质含量提升不仅对施有机肥有响应,而且与累积产量也有一定的相关关系。     

Effect of burning on soil organic matter content and N mineralization under shifting cultivation system of Karen people in Northern Thailand

In the traditional shifting cultivation system practiced by the Karen people in northern Thailand, the effects of burning on the content of extractable organic matter, microbial biomass, and N mineralization process of the soils were studied. Five plots (5×5 m² quadrat) with 0, 10, 20, 50, and 100 Mg ha^-1 of slashed materials were arranged and burned. Ten to 20 Mg ha^-1 of slashed biomass corresponded to the amount commonly burned by the Karen people. During the burning process, the soil temperature at the depth of 2.5 cm in the 100 Mg ha^-1 plot almost evenly increased to 300°C while the temperature in the 10 to 50 Mg ha^-1 plots increased with large variations from 50 to 300°C. Burning caused a conspicuous increase in the contents of organic C and (organic + mineral)-N extracted at room temperature and a simultaneous decrease in the contents of microbial biomass C and N, especially in the soil of the 100 Mg ha^-1 plot. In the rainy season, the values of the changes induced by burning reverted to the values recorded before burning, except for the microbial biomass in the 100 Mg ha^-1 plot, which still remained lower. Based on an incubation experiment, N mineralization rate was higher in the soils taken just after burning, especially in the 100 Mg ha^-1 plot, than in the soils taken during the rainy season. However, the soil in the 100 Mg ha^-1 plot was considered to have the lowest ability to supply mineral N among the soils in the rainy season. Burning of 10 to 20 Mg ha^-1 biomass corresponding to the values recorded in Karen peoples' shifting cultivation system was more compatible with soil ecology in terms of N supply at the initial stage of crop growth and of microbial biomass recovery during the rainy season, compared to the burning of 100 Mg ha^-1 biomass corresponding to the value recorded in a natural forest. Thus, the shifting cultivation system implemented by the Karen people can be considered to be a well-balanced agricultural system.     

酸雨对土壤有机碳氮潜在矿化的影响

Acid rain is a serious environmental problem worldwide. In this study, a pot experiment using forest soils planted with the seedlings of four woody species was performed with weekly treatments of pH 4.40, 4.00, 3.52, and 3.05 simulated acid rain （SAR） for 42 months compared to a control ofpH 5.00 lake water. The cumulative amounts of C and N mineralization in the five treated soils were determined after incubation at 25 ℃ for 65 d to examine the effects of SAR treatments. For all five treatments, cumulative CO2-C production ranged from 20.24 to 27.81 mg kg^-1 dry soil, net production of available N from 17.37 to 48.95 mg kg^-1 dry soil, and net production of NO3-N from 9.09 to 46.23 mg kg^-1 dry soil. SAR treatments generally enhanced the emission of CO2-C from the soils; however, SAR with pH 3.05 inhibited the emission. SAR treatments decreased the net production of available N and NO3-N. The cumulative CH4 and N2O productions from the soils increased with increasing amount of simulated acid rain. The cumulative CO2-C production and the net production of available N of the soil under Acmena acuminatissima were significantly higher （P 〈 0.05） than those under Schima superba and Cryptocarya concinna. The mineralization of soil organic C was related to the contents of soil organic C and N, but was not related to soil pH. However, the overall effect of acid rain on the storage of soil organic matter and the cycling of important nutrients depended on the amount of acid deposition and the types of forests.     

Release of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen from forest floors in relation to solid phase properties,respiration and N-mineralization

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON) are important components of the carbon and nitrogen turnover in soils. Little is known about the controls on the release of DOC and DON from forest floors, especially about the influence of solid phase properties. We investigated the spatial variation of the release of DOC and DON from Oe and Oa forest floor samples at a regional scale. Samples were taken from 12 different Norway spruce sites with varying solid phase properties, including C/N ratio, pH, different fractions of extractable carbon and exchangeable cations. Most of these solid phase properties are available for large forested areas of Europe in high spatial resolution. The samples were incubated at water holding capacity for eight weeks at 15°C and then extracted with an artificial throughfall solution to measure DOC and DON release. The rates of soil respiration and N-mineralization were determined to estimate soil microbial activity. The release of DOC and DON from Oe samples was two- to threefold higher than from Oa samples. The amounts released differed by one order of magnitude among the sites. The DOC/DON ratios in the percolates of the Oa samples were much higher as compared to the solid phase C/N, indicating different release rates of DOC and DON. In contrast, the DOC/DON ratios of the Oe percolates were in the range of the C/N ratios of the solid phase. The release of DOC and DON from Oe samples was not statistically correlated to any of the measured solid phase parameters, but to N-mineralization. The DOC and DON release from the Oa samples was positively related only to pH and soil respiration. Overall it was not possible to explain the large spatial variation of DOC and DON release by the measured solid phase properties with satisfying accuracy.