Effects of iron and organic matter on the porosity and structural stability of soil aggregates

Knowledge of the soil components controlling aggregate formation and stability is fundamental to the conservation of soil structure. In this work, the effects of Fe and organic matter (OM) on the porosity and structural stability of aggregates <4 mm of two cropped soils from Galicia (NW Spain) were determined. Porosity was estimated directly, by mercury intrusion porosimetry, and indirectly, from moisture characteristic and shrinkage curves. The three porosities obtained were similar and indicated that Soil 1, with the highest Fe and OM contents, had lower total porosity and a wider pore-size distribution than Soil 2. As regards structural stability, Hénin and Monnier's test, simulated rainfall and dispersion experiments, and determination of textural tensile strength all indicated Soil 1 to be the more stable soil. Oxidation of OM and selective extraction of Fe, which were most concentrated in the clay and silt fractions, indicated both these components to be important soil aggregants. It is suggested that the higher content of Soil 1 in Fe and OM is responsible for its greater stability.     

Invertebrate control of soil organic matter stability

 The control of soil organic matter (SOM) stability by soil invertebrates is evaluated in terms of their impact on the inherent recalcitrance, accessibility to microorganisms, and interaction with stabilizing substances of organic compounds. Present knowledge on internal (ingestion and associated transformations) and external (defecation, constructions) control mechanisms of soil invertebrates is also reviewed. Soil animals contribute to the stabilization and destabilization of SOM by simultaneously affecting chemical, physical, and microbial processes over several orders of magnitude. A very important aspect of this is that invertebrates at higher trophic levels create feedback mechanisms that modify the spatio-temporal framework in which the micro-food web affects SOM stability. Quantification of non-trophic and indirect effects is thus essential in order to understand the long-term effects of soil biota on SOM turnover. It is hypothesized that the activities of invertebrates which lead to an increase in SOM stability partly evolved as an adaptation to the need for increasing the suitability of their soil habitat. Several gaps in knowledge are identified: food selection and associated changes in C pools, differential effects on SOM turnover, specific associations with microorganisms, effects on dissolution and desorption reactions, humus-forming and humus-degrading processes in gut and faeces, and the modification of invertebrate effects by environmental variables. Future studies must not be confined merely to a mechanistic analysis of invertebrate control of SOM stability, but also pay considerable attention to the functional and evolutionary aspects of animal diversity in soil. This alone will allow an integration of biological expertise in order to develop new strategies of soil management which can be applied under a variety of environmental conditions. Received: 6 April 1999     

耕作对土壤有机物和土壤团聚体稳定性的影响

Agricultural sustainability relates directly to maintaining or enhancing soil quality. Soil quality studies in Canada during the 1980‘s showed that loss of soil organic matter (SOM) and soil aggregate stability was standard features of non-sustainable land management in agroecosystems. In this study total soil organic carbon (SOC), particulate organic matter (POM), POM-C as a percentage of total SOC, and aggregate stability were determined for three cultivated fields and three adjacent grassland fields to assess the impact of conventional agricultural management on soil quality. POM was investigated using solid-state ^13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to determine any qualitative differences that may be attributed to cultivation. Results show a highly significant loss in total SOC, POM and aggregate stability in the cultivated fields as compared to the grassland fields and a significant loss of POM-C as a percentage of total SOC.Integrated results of the NMR spectra of the POM show a loss in carbohydrate-C and an increase in aromatic-C in the cultivated fields, which translates to a loss of biological lability in the organic matter. Conventional cultivation decreased the quantity and quality of SOM and caused a loss in aggregate stability resulting in an overall decline in soil quality.     

有机肥质量分数对土壤导水率稳定性的影响

饱和导水率是水循环和土壤侵蚀模型中的重要参数,也是土壤结构改善的重要指标.通过室内土柱模拟实验研究有机肥添加量对风沙土和壤土导水率的影响.土壤添加有机肥的比例设置为0％、5％、10％、15％、20％、25％、30％7个水平,土壤密度设3个水平,各处理5个重复.结果表明：1）土壤饱和导水率随有机肥质量分数的增加呈降低趋势,风沙土的饱和导水率随有机肥质量分数的增加呈直线下降趋势,而壤土饱和导水率的降低趋势随有机肥质量分数的增加减缓;2）有机肥质量分数的增加对土壤密度的降低作用可以抵消有机肥增加导致的饱和导水率的降低;3）低土壤密度下土壤导水率随时间变化不稳定,土壤密度增大后随时间变化稳定.随着有机肥质量分数的增加,土壤导水率的测定过程趋于稳定,但是测定时间延长.     

基于热分析技术的土壤有机质含量和稳定性分析

土壤有机质(soil organic matter,SOM)含量及其稳定性是评价土壤质量的重要指标。传统的化学氧化技术测定SOM时可能氧化不完全,费时费力,容易污染实验室环境;干烧法(例如,元素分析法)分析成本高,而且化学氧化法和干烧法都难以提供SOM稳定性的信息。该文探讨应用热分析技术测定SOM含量及热稳定性的可行性。土壤样品采自位于湖南省宁乡县的稻田施肥长期定位试验,采用湿筛法将耕层土壤样品分为2、0.25~2、0.05~0.25以及≤0.05 mm 4个粒级团聚体,利用热重分析(thermogravimetry,TG)和差示扫描量热分析(differential scanning calorimetry,DSC)技术测定土体及团聚体中SOM含量和稳定性。结果表明:1)土壤中存在2类热稳定性不同的SOM:一类为热易分解型,分解温度为200~350℃;另一类为热稳定性型,分解温度为350~550℃;2)热分析技术测定的土体和团聚体中SOM质量分数范围为4%~8%,而元素分析仪得到的SOM质量分数范围约为3%~6%,热分析法结果比元素分析法的结果平均高估2.10百分点,但二者存在显著线性相关(r=0.88,P=0)。因此,可以利用该系数(2.10%)将热分析技术测定的SOM含量校正为元素分析法测定的结果;3)SOM的热稳定性可以用热易分解SOM占总SOM的比例(Exo1/Exot)和SOM分解一半时的温度(TG-T50)来表征,Exo1/Exot和TGT50呈良好的负相关(r=-0.95,P=0),但Exo1/Exot对SOM的热稳定性更加敏感,因此用Exo1/Exot表征SOM的热稳定性可能更为合理;4)Exo1/Exot与碳水化合物、烷烃类、芳香族的傅立叶转换红外线光谱吸光度以及土壤基础呼吸和微生物代谢熵q CO2呈显著正相关,说明SOM的热稳定性与化学稳定性、生物稳定性存在良好的一致性;5)长期有机肥和化肥配施显著提高了土体及各粒级团聚体的SOM含量,秸秆还田也具有较好的效果,但单施化肥无明显效果;0.25~2 mm粒级的团聚体是贮藏SOM的优势粒级,其次为2和≤0.05 mm的团聚体;6)对于同一粒级团聚体或土体,与单施化肥和不施肥相比,有机肥配施化肥和秸秆还田下的SOM热稳定性有降低趋势;尽管SOM热稳定性在各粒级团聚体和土体中存在一定差异,但是各施肥处理中没有一致规律。利用热分析技术测定SOM含量和热稳定性具有可行性,可以应用于研究农田管理措施对SOM含量和稳定性的影响和综合评价土壤质量。     

平菇栽培废料等有机肥对土壤活性有机质和土壤酶活性的影响

通过大田试验研究了不施有机肥(CK)、施用平菇栽培废料(T1)、施用干腐熟牛粪(T2)和烘干鸡粪(T3)在种植黄瓜01～50.d内土壤中活性有机质和4种土壤酶活性的变化。结果表明:施入不同有机肥对土壤总有机质含量的影响为烘干鸡粪平菇栽培废料干腐熟牛粪对照;对活性有机质含量的影响为平菇栽培废料烘干鸡粪干腐熟牛粪对照;施用平菇栽培废料的土壤中脲酶、转化酶和脱氢酶活性最高,施用干腐熟牛粪的土壤中过氧化氢酶活性最高。相关性分析显示,脲酶、转化酶和脱氢酶活性与土壤活性有机质显著相关。用平菇栽培废料做有机肥能有效提高土壤活性有机质含量和土壤酶活性。     

Influence of moisture on the stability of soil organic matter and plant residues

The effect of three levels of soil moistening on the organic matter mineralization was assessed for three arable soils and wheat straw in the course of a 150-day-long incubation experiment. It was found that the intensity of the organic matter mineralization increased in parallel to soil moistening in the podzolized chernozem and dark-chestnut soil and remained stable in the gray forest soil, which was explained by the low content of easily mineralizable fractions of active organic matter in the latter soil. The mineralization of wheat straw depended on the soil moistening rather than on soil properties.     

Effects of ozonation on soil organic matter of contaminated soil containing residual oil

Purpose  

Ozonation has been shown to be a feasible method for removal of organic pollutants resistant to biodegradation in contaminated soils. However, little is known about the impact of ozonation on soil organic matter (SOM). This study was conducted to investigate the change in SOM characteristics and the consequent change in sequestration of contaminants in soil during ozonation.     

Kinetics of acid phosphatase in calcium chloride extractable soil organic matter

The aim of this work was to compare the kinetic parameters of acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2.) extracted from two forest soils under oak or pine. Soil was extracted with 4 mM CaCl₂ and the extract was divided into two fractions by filtration: one >0.2 μm containing microbial cells and soil particulates, and the other <0.2 μm containing fine particles and dissolved organic compounds of soil. The >0.2 μm fraction had higher K_m (0.26–0.82 vs. 0.12–0.39) and V_max (0.07–0.79 vs. 0.06–0.16) values than the <0.2 μm fraction, indicating a higher enzyme-substrate affinity and smaller amount of enzyme in fine particles and dissolved organic matter.     

Physical fractionation of soil and structural and functional complexity in organic matter turnover

Physical fractionation is used increasingly to study the turnover of organic matter in soil. This essay links the methods of fractionation to concepts of turnover by defining levels of structural and functional complexity that refer to experimentally verifiable pools of organic matter in the soil. Physical fractionation according to size and density of soil particles emphasizes the importance of interactions between organic and inorganic soil components in the turnover of organic matter. It allows the separation of free and occluded uncomplexed organic matter and of primary and secondary organomineral complexes. This methodological approach recognizes that the overall regulation of decomposer activity is through the structure of soil, which determines gas exchange, the availability of substrates and water, and the transport of solutes. Results from physical fractionations suggest three levels of structural and functional complexity in the turnover of organic matter in soil. Primary organomineral complexes isolated from fully dispersed soil account for the primary level of complexity. The clay‐, silt‐ and sand‐sized complexes are seen as the basic units in soil, surface reactions between substrates, organisms and minerals being the main regulatory mechanisms. Secondary complexes reflect the degree of aggregation of primary organomineral complexes and refer to the second level of complexity. Physical protection of uncomplexed organic matter and soil organisms and the creation of gas and moisture gradients are emergent features regulating the turnover at this level of complexity. The structurally intact soil (the soil in situ) constitutes the third level of complexity. This integrates the effects of primary and secondary complexes. Emergent structural features associated with this level are resource islands, macropores, roots, mesofauna, tillage and soil compaction, the corresponding functional features being related to the transport and exchange of solutes and gases, and the spatial distribution and comminution of litter and uncomplexed organic matter. Thus, a thorough understanding of the turnover and storage of organic matter in soil can be acquired only by considering all levels of complexity in the decomposition subsystem.     

Effects of soil organic matter on pH-dependent phosphate sorption by soils

Effects of soil organic matter (80M) on P sorption of soils still remain to be clarified because contradictory results have been reported in the literature. In the present study, pH-dependent P sorption on an allophanic Andisol and an alluvial soil was compared with that on hydrogen peroxide (H₂0₂)-treated, acid-oxalate (OX)-treated, and dithionite-citrate- bicarbonate (DCB)-treated soils. Removal of 80M increased or decreased P sorption depending on the equilibrium pH values and soil types. In the H₂O₂ OX-, and DCB-treated soils, P sorption was pH-dependent, but this trend was not conspicuous in the untreated soils. It is likely that 80M affects P sorption of soils through three factors, competitive sorption, inhibition of polymerization and crystallization of metals such as AI and Fe, and flexible structure of metal-80M complexes. As a result, the number of available sites for P sorption would remain relatively constant in the wide range of equilibrium pH values in the presence of 80M. The P sorption characteristics were analyzed at constant equilibrium pH values (4.0 to 7.0) using the Langmuir equation as a local isotherm. The maximum number of available sites for P sorption (Q _max) was pH-dependent in the H₂0₂-, OX-, and DCBtreated soils, while this trend was not conspicuous in the untreated soils. Affinity constants related to binding strength (K) were less affected by the equilibrium pH values, soil types, and soil treatments, and were almost constant (log K ≈ 4.5). These findings support the hypothesis that 80M plays a role in keeping the number of available sites for P sorption relatively constant but does not affect the P sorption affinity. By estimating the Q _max and K values as a function of equilibrium pH values, pH-dependent P sorption was well simulated with four or two adjustable parameters. This empirical model could be useful and convenient for a rough estimation of the pH-dependent P sorption of soils.     

The nature and stability of organic phosphates in leaf litter and soil organic matter in Nigeria

The organic phosphorus components of leaf litter from a secondary forest in Nigeria were characterized as phospholipids, acid soluble esters, LiOH-extractable esters and residual phosphate. During incubation of the litter at 30°C for 8 months all four organic fractions were synthesized and the content of inorganic phosphate decreased.During cultivation of the same field site over a period of 22 months, the IP_{5 + 6}, content of the soil did not change significantly, but there were significant decreases of phospholipids and of high molecular weight components. The high molecular weight components, which were not identified, represented the most important source of organic phosphorus that became available to plants, but phospholipids may also have been a source.The results indicate that the inositol phosphates in leaf litter were in too low concentration to have provided the amounts found in the soil.     

施用有机肥对土壤团聚体稳定性的影响

施用有机肥是循环农业的典型措施,能够净化环境、保证食品安全、加强土壤的可持续利用。本文以中国农业大学曲周试验站长期设施蔬菜地为研究对象,试验已进行6年,共设单施有机肥、有机无机配施与无机肥3种施肥处理。结果表明:施用有机肥处理的土壤有机C含量显著高于有机无机配施和无机肥处理107.02%、171.71%;干筛分析表明有机肥处理下的土壤非水稳性团聚体的平均重量直径(WMD)和几何平均直径(GMD)值均显著高于有机无机配施与无机肥65.68%、4.18%和16.80%、8.26%;湿筛结果也表明有机肥处理下的土壤水稳性团聚体WMD、GMD值显著高于有机无机配施与无机肥41.12%、34.78%和77.78%、63.16%;0~20 cm耕层有机肥处理增加了土壤分散系数,而20~40 cm耕层有机肥处理显著降低了土壤分散系数。在蔬菜有机栽培中单施有机肥可增加土壤有机C、非水稳性团聚体、水稳性团聚体及耕层下微团聚体含量,是改良土壤结构的有效措施。     

Thermal stability and composition of mineral-bound organic matter in density fractions of soil

Heavy density fractions of soil contain organic matter tightly bound to the surface of soil minerals. The chemical composition and ecological meaning of non-metabolic decomposition products and microbial metabolites in organic–mineral bonds is poorly understood. Therefore, we investigated the heavy fraction (density > 2 g cm^–3) from the topsoil of a Gleysol (Bainsville, Ottawa, Canada). It accounted for 952 g kg^–1 of soil and contained 19 g kg^–1 of organic C. Pyrolysis-field ionization mass spectra showed intensive signals of carbohydrates, and phenols and lignin monomers, alkylaromatics (mostly aromatic) N-containing compounds, and peptides. These classes of compound have been proposed as structural building blocks of soil organic matter. In comparison, the light fraction (density > 2 g cm^–3) was richer in lignin dimers, lipids, sterols, suberin and fatty acids which clearly indicate residues of plants and biota. To confirm the composition and stability of mineral-bound organic matter, we also investigated the heavy fraction (density > 2.2 g cm^–3) from clay-, silt- and sand-sized separates of the topsoil of a Chernozem (Bad Lauchstädt, Germany). These heavy size separates differed in their mass spectra but were generally characterized by volatilization maxima of alkylaromatics, lipids and sterols at about 500°C. We think that the observed high-temperature volatilization of these structural building blocks of soil organic matter is indicative of the organic–mineral bonds. Some unexpected low-temperature volatilization of carbohydrates, N-containing compounds, peptides, and phenols and lignin monomers was assigned to hot-water-extractable organic matter which accounted for 7–27% of the carbon and nitrogen in the heavy fractions. As this material is known to be mineralizable, our study indicates that these constituents of the heavy density fractions are degradable by micro-organisms and involved in the turnover of soil organic matter.     

生物质炭与有机物料配施的土壤培肥效果及对玉米生长的影响

生物质炭作为一种多功能的土壤培肥材料被广泛应用,但其与传统有机物料的对比及配施研究还比较少。通过盆栽试验,研究了生物质炭与秸秆、发酵鸡粪单施及配施对壤质潮土和砂土养分含量、酶活性及玉米生长的影响,并采用主成分分析方法对3种有机物料的培肥效果进行综合评价。试验设6个处理,分别为不添加有机物料(CK)、添加生物质炭(BC)、小麦秸秆(WS)、发酵鸡粪(CM)、秸秆和生物质炭(WS+BC)、鸡粪和生物质炭(CM+BC)。研究结果表明,各处理均增加了砂土玉米生物量和株高,3种有机物料的提升幅度排序为:鸡粪生物质炭秸秆,鸡粪还可增加壤质潮土玉米生物量和株高。添加生物质炭和有机物料还可提高土壤有机质含量,其中生物质炭的提升幅度最大。此外,3种有机物料对土壤养分和酶活性的影响各异,单施鸡粪分别增加壤质潮土和砂土的碱解氮22.08%和26.67%,速效磷91.92%和53.65%,脲酶活性40.54%和36.94%;单施生物质炭分别增加壤质潮土和砂土速效磷83.52%和89.91%,速效钾79.38%和127.02%,过氧化氢酶活性3.41%和11.22%,却降低了土壤碱解氮含量,且与鸡粪配施后会抑制鸡粪中氮的有效性;单施秸秆分别增加壤质潮土和砂土速效钾49.48%和63.02%,β-葡糖苷酶活性51.86%和59.09%;生物质炭与鸡粪或秸秆配施可以更均衡地提升土壤肥力。通过主成分分析和相关分析发现,玉米生物量和株高与土壤氮、磷供应正变化的第2主成分(PC2)得分呈极显著正相关关系。因此,3种有机物料中,鸡粪对土壤氮、磷含量及相关酶活性影响最大;秸秆对土壤钾以及纤维素分解相关酶影响较大,而生物质炭对土壤肥力的提升作用更均衡,且土壤肥力综合得分最高。秸秆或鸡粪配施生物质炭可以更全面地提高土壤肥力。     

Evaluating biodegradability of soil organic matter by its thermal stability and chemical composition

The stability of soil organic matter (SOM) as it relates to resistance to microbial degradation has important implications for nutrient cycling, emission of greenhouse gases, and C sequestration. Hence, there is interest in developing new ways to quantify and characterise the labile and stable forms of SOM. Our objective in this study was to evaluate SOM under widely contrasting management regimes to determine whether the variation in chemical composition and resistance to pyrolysis observed for various constituent C fractions could be related to their resistance to decomposition. Samples from the same soil under permanent pasture, an arable cropping rotation, and chemical fallow were physically fractionated (sand: 2000-50 μm; silt: 50-5 μm, and clay: <5 μm). Biodegradability of the SOM in size fractions and whole soils was assessed in a laboratory mineralization study. Thermal stability was determined by analytical pyrolysis using a Rock-Eval pyrolyser, and chemical composition was characterized by X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy at the C and N K-edges. Relative to the pasture soil, SOM in the arable and fallow soils declined by 30% and 40%, respectively. The mineralization bioassay showed that SOM in whole soil and soil fractions under fallow was less susceptible to biodegradation than that in other management practices. The SOM in the sand fraction was significantly more biodegradable than that in the silt or clay fractions. Analysis by XANES showed a proportional increase in carboxylates and a reduction in amides (protein) and aromatics in the fallow whole soil compared to the pasture and arable soils. Moreover, protein depletion was greatest in the sand fraction of the fallow soil. Sand fractions in fallow and arable soils were, however, relatively enriched in plant-derived phenols, aromatics, and carboxylates compared to the sand fraction of pasture soils. Analytical pyrolysis showed distinct differences in the thermal stability of SOM among the whole soil and their size fractions; it also showed that the loss of SOM generally involved preferential degradation of H-rich compounds. The temperature at which half of the C was pyrolyzed was strongly correlated with mineralizable C, providing good evidence for a link between the biological and thermal stability of SOM.     

Effects of iron,calcium, and organic matter on phosphorus behavior in fluvo-aquic soil: farmland investigation and aging experiments

Purpose

Excessive fertilization has led to a high risk of phosphorus (P) leaching and related problems in the North China Plain, where the most typical cropland soil is fluvo-aquic soil. The main factors controlling environmental P behavior and the acting time sequence of these factors in soil after long-term P fertilizer application have not been well recognized. A clear understanding is essential for effective P management.

Materials and methods

Effects of Fe minerals, calcium carbonate, and organic matter (OM) on P immobilization in fluvo-aquic soil were studied systematically through farmland investigation and aging experiments.

Results and discussion

Phosphorus associated with Ca was the primary fraction in fluvo-aquic soil. Even though there was no significant correlation between the total contents of P and Ca in soils, formation of P-Ca phases facilitated by Ca²⁺ in soil solution was a mechanism of P retention when soil received excess P fertilizer. Positive correlations between the contents of P and Fe and total organic carbon (TOC) indicate that Fe minerals and OM have significant effects on P immobilization. Through the aging experiments, P was found to primarily adsorb on goethite and gradually forms Ca-P compounds. Organic fertilizer caused P release and inhibition of P adsorption in the initial stages; however, OM derived from organic fertilizer might facilitate P immobilization in the long term through the formation of a P-Ca-OM complex.

Conclusions

Although superfluous application of P fertilizers leads to the gradual formation of Ca-P in fluvo-aquic soils, there is still a risk of P loss because P is not immediately adsorbed by Fe minerals. Moreover, application of organic fertilizers increases the risk of P loss. These results provide an important scientific basis for initiating P management policies for fluvo-aquic soils.

     

Effects of soil management history on the rate of organic matter decomposition

In a sustainable agriculture farming systems experiment, soils managed under organic farming practices had greater microbial abundance and activity, and higher numbers of bacterial-feeding nematodes during crop growth, than those managed under conventional farming practices. We tested rates of organic matter decomposition in the two soils and monitored the abundance and activity of soil biota during the decomposition process. Differences in soil biology between soils from organic and conventional farming systems did not persist when soils were amended with organic matter and maintained under similar conditions. Microbial communities in soil from the conventional system were sufficient and active enough to respond to organic inputs. There were minimal differences in the ability of the microbial communities of the two soils to decompose organic residues. However, when soils were removed from the field at different times, cover crop decomposition rates were more consistent in the organic soils, suggesting a greater abundance and diversity of the microbial community in those soils. Microbial activity was most suppressed when field soils were dry but responded to organic matter amendment very rapidly when favorable moisture contents were restored. The pattern of microbial activity in both organic and conventional soils following organic matter incorporation consisted of a 100 h activity phase and then a gradual decline to a relatively constant stasis phase.     

The quality of exogenous organic matter: short-term effects on soil physical properties and soil organic matter fractions

We examined the short-term effect of five organic amendments and compared them to plots fertilized with inorganic fertilizer and unfertilized plots on aggregate stability and hydraulic conductivity, and on the OC and ON distribution in physically separated SOM fractions. After less than 1 year, the addition of organic amendments significantly increased ( P  <   0.01) the aggregate stability and hydraulic conductivity. The stability index ranged between 0.97 and 1.76 and the hydraulic conductivity between 1.23 and 2.80 × 10⁻³ m/s for the plots receiving organic amendments, compared with 0.34–0.43, and 0.42–0.64 × 10⁻³ m/s, respectively, for the unamended plots. There were significant differences between the organic amendments (P <  0.01), although these results were not unequivocal for both soil physical parameters. The total OC and ON content were significantly increased ( P  <   0.05) by only two applications of organic fertilizers: between 1.10 and 1.51% OC for the amended plots versus 0.98–1.08% for the unamended and between 0.092 and 0.131% ON versus 0.092–0.098% respectively. The amount of OC and ON in the free particulate organic matter fraction was also significantly increased ( P  <   0.05), but there were no significant differences ( P  <   0.05) in the OC and ON content in the POM occluded in micro-aggregates and in the silt + clay-sized organic matter fraction. The results showed that even in less than 1 year pronounced effects on soil physical properties and on the distribution of OC and ON in the SOM fractions occurred.     

Photodissolution of soil organic matter

Sunlight has been shown to enhance loss of organic matter from aquatic sediments and terrestrial plant litter, so we tested for similar reactions in mineral soil horizons. Losses of up to a third of particulate organic carbon occurred after continuous exposure to full-strength sunlight for dozens of hours, with similar amounts appearing as photodissolved organic carbon. Nitrogen dissolved similarly, appearing partly as ammonium. Modified experiments with interruption of irradiation to include extended dark incubation periods increased loss of total organic carbon, implying remineralization by some combination of light and microbes. These photodissolution reactions respond strongly to water content, with reaction extent under air-dry to fully wet conditions increasing by a factor of 3–4 fold. Light limitation was explored using lamp intensity and soil depth experiments. Reaction extent varied linearly with lamp intensity. Depth experiments indicate that attenuation of reaction occurs within the top tens to hundreds of micrometers of soil depth. Our data allow only order-of-magnitude extrapolations to field conditions, but suggest that this type of reaction could induce loss of 10–20% of soil organic carbon in the top 10 cm horizon over a century. It may therefore have contributed to historical losses of soil carbon via agriculture, and should be considered in soil management on similar time scales.