Organic carbon ranges in arable soils of England and Wales

Abstract. Knowledge of the stocks and the potential range of soil organic carbon (SOC) in various land–soil combinations is an important precursor to policies aimed at linking, for example, management of SOC to greenhouse gas emission controls. To investigate the factors controlling the percentage of SOC (%SOC) of soils in England and Wales, we made a multiple regression analysis of data for the 2448 arable and ley-arable sites in the 1980 England and Wales National Soil Inventory (NSI). Clay content, average annual precipitation and depth of topsoil explained 25.5% of the variation in %SOC, when calcareous and peaty soils and those susceptible to flooding were excluded. Using 'robust' statistics, 'indicative SOC management ranges' were estimated for different physiotopes, that is, landscape units for which the environmental factors governing %SOC are similar, namely soil clay content and precipitation. These ranges describe the expected %SOC range for an arable soil in a given physiotope. They have potential to support approximate targets for the %SOC of arable soils and for estimating upper and lower limits for sequestered soil carbon in arable systems.     

长期施肥下褐土易氧化有机碳及有机碳库的变化特征

本研究探讨了24年长期施肥对褐土土壤有机碳(TOC)、有机碳储量(TOCs)、净固碳效率(NCSE)和碳库管理指数(CPMI)的影响,为评价褐土土壤碳库变化与质量及科学施肥提供理论依据。研究以褐土肥力与肥料长期定位试验为平台,通过9个处理[A组:不施肥处理(N_0P_0、CK);B组:单施无机肥处理(N_1P_1、N_2P_2、N_3P_3和N_4P_4);C组:有机肥与无机肥配施处理(N_2P_1M_1、N_3P_2M_3和N_4P_2M_2);D组:单施高量有机肥处理(M_6)]测定土壤TOC与易氧化有机碳(ROOC)含量,并计算TOCs、NCSE及CPMI等相关指标。结果表明,在不同土层不同时期施用较高量有机肥配施无机肥及施用高量有机肥(N_3P_2M_3、N_4P_2M_2和M_6)均可提高TOC和ROOC含量,且随土层深度加深提升作用减弱。TOCs、NCSE与0~20 cm土层TOC含量在时间和空间上的变化规律基本一致。施用高量有机肥(C组、D组)可有效提高TOCs,A组、B组的TOCs均值分别比C组、D组低76.77%与17.36%。长期施肥处理可提高NCSE,尤其是施用有机肥处理可显著提高NCSE。NCSE为D组C组A组=B组;D组NCSE为1 152.27 kg·hm~(-2)·a~(-1),是C组的2.51倍,B组的16.20倍。与试验前相比,C组和D组的CPMI无显著变化,且C组与D组间差异不显著,但A组与B组比试验前降低16.38~40.02。与A组(CK)相比,B组中N1P1处理与C、D组处理显著影响CPMI,提高了23.30~45.67。在0~40 cm土层CPMI与ROOC含量呈显著正相关,CPMI可以很好地指示有机碳的变化。可见,施用高量有机肥或者较高量有机肥与无机肥配施可极显著提高褐土土壤TOCs、NCSE和CPMI,即施用高量有机肥或者较高量有机肥与无机肥配施(N_3P_2M_3和N_4P_2M_2)有利于褐土有机碳的固存,可减少无机肥的施用量,使土壤性质向良性方向发展,培肥土壤。     

Organic carbon and nitrogen stocks in reed meadow soils converted to alfalfa fields

Soil organic carbon and nitrogen are key elements of sustainable agriculture. Converting forest land and grassland to arable land is known to decrease the content of soil organic carbon (SOC), whereas converting land under annual crops into perennial grasslands has the potential to increase organic C and N sequestration, an assumption tested in this study. Compared to the levels in reed meadows, SOC and total nitrogen (TN) stocks in the top layer of 2489 Mg soil ha⁻¹ (about 0–15 cm depth) significantly increased 3 years after the conversion, despite a slight decrease numerically in the first year following the conversion. And the mass of light fraction organic carbon (LFOC), total extractable carbon (TEC), humic acid carbon (HAC), and fulvic acid carbon (FAC) stocks all decreased significantly in the first year in the top layer but recovered after 3 years. In the deeper layer of 2549 Mg soil ha⁻¹ (about 15–30 cm depth), however, the levels of SOC and heavy fraction organic carbon (HFOC) stocks began increasing from the first year itself. During the period of 1–10 years after the conversion, the degree of humification rate (HR) for the deeper layer were consistent, averaging 30%, whereas the same parameters in the top layer stabilized after 3 years at 33%. After 10 years of conversion, the soil recorded higher levels of SOC and TN stocks, used as indicators in this study, than those that had prevailed in the reed meadows, demonstrating the positive combined effects of the conversion on the retention of atmospheric C-CO₂ in the soil. This study suggests that proper management of alfalfa fields can maintain or even improve chemical and physical quality of converted reed meadows soils.     

长期定位施肥对棕壤有机碳的影响

通过对棕壤有机肥和化肥长期定位施肥的研究表明,长期施肥对耕层土壤有机碳含量和有机碳储量有显著性影响(P<0.05)。与试验前土壤相比,施用有机肥能显著增加土壤有机碳含量和储量;当有机肥和无机肥配合施用时,其促进作用明显大于单施化肥。单施化肥能够提高土壤有机碳含量和储量,但增加幅度不大。经过26年施肥,不同层次土壤有机碳含量有一定程度的升高,随着土层的加深,有机碳含量迅速下降,各处理之间无明显差异。     

Current trends of soil organic carbon in English arable soils

Abstract. A model of the impact of land management changes upon soil organic carbon (SOC) was constructed, and the total amount of topsoil organic carbon was estimated for the arable area of England from 1940 to 2000. The largest influence on the overall mean SOC in arable topsoils proved to be a decline in the area of both permanent and temporary grassland. SOC declined over a prolonged period (60 years), but has now reached a plateau. Modelling changes in mean values enabled a statistical evaluation to be made between a measured decline in the number of sites with 'high' SOC levels between 1980 and 1995, and the decline predicted by the model. The SOC content of arable soils in England was measured at National Soil Inventory sites twice in recent decades: in 1980 and 1995. The proportion of fine textured soils in the lowest SOC class (<2.3%) rose from just over 40% to about 50% over the same period. There was a significant difference between the observed values of 1995 and those expected from modelling the decline from 1980 values, in the category of 'low SOC' fine textured soils. The variation in the fine textured soils represents a significant and widespread decline in topsoil organic carbon concentrations, which was greater than the underlying long-term trend.     

Long‐term no‐tillage effects on particulate and mineral‐associated soil organic matter under rainfed Mediterranean conditions

Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays an essential role in the sustainability of natural and agricultural systems. The identification of sensitive SOC fractions can be crucial for an understanding of SOC dynamics and stabilization. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of long‐term no‐tillage (NT) on SOC content and its distribution between particulate organic matter (POM) and mineral‐associated organic matter (Min) fractions in five different cereal production areas of Aragon (north‐east Spain). The study was conducted under on‐farm conditions where pairs of adjacent fields under NT and conventional tillage (CT) were compared. An undisturbed soil nearby under native vegetation (NAT) was included. The results indicate that SOC was significantly affected by tillage in the first 5 cm with the greatest concentrations found in NT (1.5–43% more than in CT). Below 40 cm, SOC under NT decreased (20–40%) to values similar or less than those under CT. However, the stratification ratio (SR) never reached the threshold value of 2. The POM‐C fraction, disproportionate to its small contribution to total SOC (10–30%), was greatly affected by soil management. The pronounced stratification in this fraction (SR>2 in NT) and its usefulness for differentiating the study sites in terms of response to NT make POM‐C a good indicator of changes in soil management under the study conditions. Results from this on‐farm study indicate that NT can be recommended as an alternative strategy to increase organic carbon at the soil surface in the cereal production areas of Aragon and in other analogous areas.     

Organic carbon accumulation in a 2000-year chronosequence of paddy soil evolution

Considerable amounts of soil organic matter (SOM) are stabilized in paddy soils, and thus a large proportion of the terrestrial carbon is conserved in wetland rice soils. Nonetheless, the mechanisms for stabilization of organic carbon (OC) in paddy soils are largely unknown. Based on a chronosequence derived from marine sediments, the objectives of this study are to investigate the accumulation of OC and the concurrent loss of inorganic carbon (IC) and to identify the role of the soil fractions for the stabilization of OC with increasing duration of paddy soil management. A chronosequence of six age groups of paddy soil formation was chosen in the Zhejiang Province (PR China), ranging from 50 to 2000 years (yrs) of paddy management. Soil samples obtained from horizontal sampling of three soil profiles within each age group were analyzed for bulk density (BD), OC as well as IC concentrations, OC stocks of bulk soil and the OC contributions to the bulk soil of the particle size fractions. Paddy soils are characterized by relatively low bulk densities in the puddled topsoil horizons (1.0 and 1.2 g cm^− 3) and high values in the plow pan (1.6 g cm^− 3). Our results demonstrate a substantial loss of carbonates during soil formation, as the upper 20 cm were free of carbonates in 100-year-old paddy soils, but carbonate removal from the entire soil profile required almost 700 yrs of rice cultivation. We observed an increase of topsoil OC stocks from 2.5 to 4.4 kg m^− 2 during 50 to 2000 yrs of paddy management. The OC accumulation in the bulk soil was dominated by the silt- and clay-sized fractions. The silt fraction showed a high accretion of OC and seems to be an important long-term OC sink during soil evolution. Fine clay in the puddled topsoil horizon was already saturated and the highest storage capacity for OC was calculated for coarse clay. With longer paddy management, the fractions < 20 μm showed an increasing actual OC saturation level, but did not reach the calculated potential storage capacity.     

福建省土壤有机碳储量估算的尺度效应研究

土壤有机碳储量的准确估算对于研究全球碳"源/汇"动态变化至关重要,但目前使用大、中、小系列比例尺土壤数据库对我国亚热带土壤有机碳储量估算的影响并不清楚。基于此,选择位于亚热带地区的福建省作为研究区,系统分析1∶5万、1∶20万、1∶50万、1∶100万、1∶400万、1∶1 000万6种目前我国常用制图尺度土壤数据库对有机碳储量估算的影响。结果表明:6个制图尺度下表层土壤(0~20 cm)的有机碳储量为:552、637、573、573、614和549 Tg C;剖面土壤(0~100 cm)的有机碳储量为1 396、1 502、1 321、1 395、1 508和1 532 Tg C。不同土壤类型下受制图尺度影响最大的是粗骨土,表层和剖面的有机碳储量相对偏差分别达到8.88×10~5%和8.13×10~5%。不同行政区下表层和剖面受制图尺度影响最大的分别是厦门市和福州市,表层和剖面的有机碳储量相对偏差分别为26.44%和27.97%。总体而言,制图尺度的不同将会对福建省土壤有机碳储量估算造成很大影响,这也进一步说明了亚热带地区选择适宜的制图尺度是十分必要的。     

Black carbon in the zonal steppe soils of Russia

Black Mollisols are typically rich in charred organic matter, however, little is known about the zonal distribution of black C (BC) in steppe soils. In this study, we used benzene polycarboxylic acids (BPCA) as specific markers for BC in particle‐size fractions of depth profiles in several zonal soils (Greyzem, Phaeozem, Chernozem, Kastanozem) of the Russian steppe. In addition, liquid‐state ¹³C‐NMR spectra were obtained on the alkaline‐soluble soil organic matter (SOM). The results showed that both the content and depth distribution of BC varies in the different soil types; the concentration of BC in the bulk top soils being closely related to the aromaticity of the SOM (r² = 0.98 for the native topsoils, 0.83 for top‐ and subsurface soils). Especially the Chernozems were rich in aromatic SOM, which partly contained more than 17% BC of total C, most of which being allocated in the mineral fractions. Long‐term arable cropping did not reduce the BC contents of the surface soil, though it did promote the enrichment of BC in the silt fractions. The same shift was detected as soil depth increased. We conclude that BC is not fully inert in these soils, but apparently can be preserved in the silt as decomposition of SOM increased, i.e., it accumulates exactly in that fraction, which has been formerly assigned to contain old, aromatic C.     

Organic C levels in intensively managed arable soils – long-term regional trends and characterization of fractions

Substantial losses of soil organic carbon (SOC) from the plough layer of intensively managed arable soils in western Europe have recently been reported, but these estimates are associated with very large uncertainties. Following soil surveys in 1952 and 1990 of arable soils in West Flanders (Belgium), we resampled 116 sites in 2003 and thus obtained three paired measurements of the OC stocks in these soils. Ten soils were selected for detailed physical fractionation to obtain possible further explanations for changes in SOC stocks. Between 1990 and 2003, the SOC stocks decreased at an average rate of ?0.19 t OC ha^?1 year^?1. This loss is significant but is still less than half the rate of SOC decrease that was estimated previously for the whole region of Flanders, which includes the study area. Variation in SOC stocks or in the magnitude of SOC stock losses could not be related to soil texture, to changes in ploughing depth, or to recent land‐use changes. A good relationship, however, was found between the SOC losses and organic matter (OM) inputs. The results of the physical fractionation also suggested management to be the predominant factor determining variation in SOC stocks because no correlation was found between soil texture and the absolute amounts of OC present in the largest OM fractions, that is, the OC in free particulate organic matter (POM), and OC associated with the silt + clay size fraction. The proportion of OC in free POM was up to 40% of the total OC, which indicates the important impact of management on SOC and also indicates that a substantial part of the SOC still present, may in the future be lost at a time scale of years to decades assuming that the intensive management continues.     

低温季节西南亚高山森林土壤轻组分有机碳动态

轻组分有机碳(LFOC)易受短期土地利用方式和环境变化的影响而被用作土壤有机碳短期环境效应的特征指标。通过西南亚高山均质化土壤在不同覆盖情形(裸土除雪BNS、裸土覆雪BS、凋落物除雪LNS、凋落物覆雪Control)下低温季节原位培养,对0~10 cm和10~20 cm深度LFOC影响的动态分析,结果发现:西南亚高山土壤LFOC平均占该土层总有机碳比例为15.5%;经过一个低温季节,不同处理下的LFOC比例变幅介于13.6%~21.1%;土壤0~10 cm和10~20 cm的LFOC在低温季节波动剧烈且含量高,甚至高于生长季节初期和末期,显示亚高山森林土壤碳动态在低温季节仍然极活跃;0~10 cm土壤中在低温季节凋落物覆雪处理土壤LFOC最低,而其余3个处理裸土除雪、裸土覆雪、凋落物除雪处理下LFOC含量和波动幅度均高于凋落物覆雪处理,表明土壤表面的凋落物和积雪覆盖及其组合显著影响0~10 cm土壤LFOC动态和含量;10~20cm土层LFOC时间动态也存在处理效应,显示地表覆盖同样影响下层土壤的LFOC过程;效应分析显示凋落物、积雪、采样时间、土壤深度及其交互作用对土壤LFOC含量的主效应和交互作用达到显著水平,特别是凋落物和积雪同时存在时抑制土壤LFOC形成而有助于维持土壤有机碳的稳定,而凋落物和/或积雪的消失均导致低温季节土壤LFOC升高。因此,在西南亚高山低温季节地表凋落物和积雪覆盖及其组合变化,将会影响亚高山森林土壤碳的库容量和稳定性。     

江苏表层土壤有机碳密度和储量估算和空间分布分析

基于1:50万的江苏土壤图和江苏土壤的数据,运用地理信息系统技术,对江苏表层土壤有机碳密度及储量做出估算,并且分析了土壤有机碳密度的空间分布差异。结果表明:土壤有机碳密度介于4.2kgm-2到20.32kgm-2之间,土壤有机碳储量为673892.8×106kg;土壤有机碳密度具有高度的空间变异性,兴化、南通和无锡的有机碳密度最高,沿海地区的有机碳密度比较高,最低的为淮阴及其附近地区。     

A framework for integrating the terrestrial carbon stock of estates in institutional carbon management plans

Many institutions have substantial landholdings, but few consider soil carbon preservation and augmentation in their carbon management plans. A methodical framework was developed to analyse terrestrial carbon stocks (soil and tree biomass) for credible carbon offsetting strategies in institutional land. This approach was demonstrated at two farms (805 hectares) managed by Newcastle University. Soil carbon for three depths (0–30 cm, 30–60 cm and 60–90 cm) and above-ground tree biomass were quantified. These data provided a terrestrial carbon baseline to evaluate future land management options and effects. Historical land-use records enabled the following comparisons: (1) agricultural land vs. woodland; (2) arable land vs. permanent grassland; (3) organic vs. conventional farming; (4) coniferous vs. broadleaved woodland; and (5) recent vs. long-established woodland. Carbon storage (kg/m²) varied with land usage and woodland type and age, but only agricultural land vs. woodland, and for agriculture, arable land vs. permanent grassland, significantly affected the 0–90 cm soil carbon. At the university-managed farms, current terrestrial carbon stocks were 103,620 tonnes in total (98,050 tonnes from the 0–90 cm soil and 5,569 tonnes from tree biomass). These terrestrial carbon stocks were equivalent to sixteen years of the current carbon emissions of Newcastle University (6,406 tonnes CO₂ equivalents-C per year). Using strategies for alternative land management, Newcastle University could over 40 years offset up to 3,221 tonnes of carbon per year, or 50% of its carbon emissions at the current rate. The methodological framework developed in this study will enable institutions having large landholdings to rationally consider their estates in future soil carbon management schemes.     

Soil organic carbon and fly-ash distributions in eroded phases of soils in Illinois and Russia

Soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics are affected by tillage, soil erosion and depositional processes. The objectives of this paper are to evaluate soil organic carbon and fly-ash distribution methods for identifying eroded phases of soils in Illinois and Russia and quantifying the extent of soil loss from erosion. The effect of accelerated erosion on soils is recorded on National Cooperative Soil Survey maps as phases of soil series that reflect the percentage of the original A horizon materials remaining. Identification depends on knowledge of the original A horizon thicknesses, SOC and fly-ash contents at uncultivated and uneroded sites when determining erosion phases of soil at cultivated and eroded sites. However, locating uncultivated and uneroded comparison sites with similar landscape and slope characteristics can be difficult. The amount of A horizon materials within the plow layers (Ap horizons) or topsoils are often determined by soil colors which reflect the SOC contents. Soil erosion phases based on original A horizon materials remaining in the topsoils may underestimate the extent of soil losses from topsoils and subsoils, particularly where soils have been cultivated for hundreds of years and are severely eroded. The SOC contents and soil erosion phases can be affected by losses or gains of organic C-rich sediments from tillage translocation and erosion, by management input level differences, oxidation, or as a result of land use and landscape position variations. Fly-ash was found to be more stable and act as a better indicator of soil erosion phase than SOC content.     

Organic carbon stocks and soil erodibility in Canary Islands Andosols

Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays a key role in the structural stability of soils and in their resistance against erosion. However, and as far as andic soils are concerned, these mechanisms and processes, as well as the influence of the different types of SOC on aggregate stability, are not fully understood. The targets of this paper are: (i) to determine the content and forms of SOC in Andosols under evergreen forest vegetation [laurel (Laurus) and heather (Erica) forest] and (ii) to find out the role of soil organic matter (SOM) in the aggregate stability and in the resistance of Andosols to water erosion. Soil samples have been collected in 80 sites in a 40 km² area under udic soil moisture regime. In them, fulvic and humic acids, Walkley–Black SOC, pyrophosphate-extractable SOC, Fe and Al, potassium sulphate extractable SOC, dissolved SOC, acid oxalate-extractable Fe, Al and Si, USLE K-factor and aggregate stability have been determined. The Andosols over volcanic ash are Aluandic Andosols (non-allophanic Andosols), whereas over basaltic lava flows are Silandic Andosols (allophanic Andosols). The surface (0–30 cm) samples analyzed contain 9.5–30 kg C m^− 2 being significantly higher in allophanic Andosols (p < 0.5). Organic carbon adsorbed onto the mineral fraction (extractable pyrophosphate, C_p) accounts for 35–55% of the total SOC. All samples show a high stability to slaking and raindrop impact, being the first one highly correlated (r = 0.6) with pyrophosphate extractable C (C_p), Fe (Fe_p), and Al (Al_p) in allophanic Andosols, unlike non-allophanic ones. The stability to raindrop impact correlates with pyrophosphate extractable C (C_p) and Fe (Fe_p) in both types of soils (r = 0.3–0.6, p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the high stability to both slaking and water-drop impact is due to the occurrence of allophane–Fe–OC complexes, rather than to the total OC, and the active Fe and Al forms, generated by the weathering of volcanic materials, constitute an essential constituent responsible for C sequestration and resistance to degradation in these soils.     

Effects of tillage depth on organic carbon content and physical properties in five Swedish soils

The soil tillage system affects incorporation of crop residues and may influence organic matter dynamics. A study was carried out in five 15–20 year old tillage experiments on soils with a clay content ranging from 72 to 521 g kg⁻¹. The main objective was to quantify the influence of tillage depth on total content of soil organic carbon and its distribution by depth. Some soil physical properties were also determined. The experiments were part of a series of field experiments all over Sweden with the objective of producing a basis to advise farmers on optimal depths and methods of primary tillage under various conditions. Before the experimental period, all sites had been mouldboard ploughed annually for many years to a depth of 23–25 cm. Treatments included primary tillage to 24–29 cm depth by mouldboard plough (deep tillage) and to 12–15 cm by field cultivator or mouldboard plough (shallow tillage). Dry bulk density, degree of compactness and penetration resistance profiles clearly reflected the depth of primary tillage and substantially increased below that depth. Compared to deep tillage, shallow tillage increased the concentration of organic carbon in the surface layer but decreased it in deeper layers. Total quantity of soil organic carbon and carbon–nitrogen ratio were unaffected by the tillage depth. Thus, a reduction of the tillage depth from about 25 cm to half of that depth would appear to have no significant effect on the global carbon cycle.     

不同类型土壤引黄灌溉固碳效应的对比研究

通过在宁夏引黄灌区实地调查、采样与分析,研究5种类型土壤在不同灌溉耕作时间序列下土壤有机碳含量及碳密度的变化特征,对比分析不同类型土壤对引黄灌溉耕作固碳效应的差异。结果表明:灌溉耕作引起的土壤有机碳含量的变化因土壤类型的不同而存在差异;在相同的灌溉耕作时间下,5种类型土壤的有机碳密度大小顺序为:灌淤土>潮土>新积土>风沙土>淡灰钙土;与同类型未灌溉耕作的土壤比较,灌溉耕作使各类型土壤有机碳密度均有不同程度的增加,相同的灌溉耕作时间下土壤有机碳密度增幅排列次序为:风沙土>潮土>灌淤土>淡灰钙土>新积土。宁夏引黄灌区的土壤固碳效应因土壤类型的不同存在明显差异。     

长期不同施肥下黑土与灰漠土有机碳储量的变化

采用长期试验,研究了20年不同施肥下1 m深黑土与灰漠土有机碳含量与碳储量的剖面变化。结果表明,单施化肥和不施肥对黑土1 m土层有机碳储量没有显著影响,但灰漠土略有降低。有机肥配施化肥能显著提高土壤有机碳含量和储量。高量有机肥配施化肥（NPKM2）能提高020 cm和2040 cm土层土壤有机碳含量,黑土分别提高56.6%和49.6%、灰漠土提高143.1%和46.9%;常量有机无机配施（NPKM）效果较差,增幅分别为黑土35.1%和35.3%,灰漠土80.2%和4.1%。两种土壤1 m土体的有机碳储量,NPKM2处理分别提高了C 30.7 t/hm2与C 40.6 t/hm2。显然,有机无机肥配施可以显著提高1 m深土体中有机碳储量,主要是由于提高了040 cm土层土壤有机碳含量。     

Retention of dissolved organic matter by illitic soils and clay fractions: Influence of mineral phase properties

The dependency of the retention of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) on mineral phase properties in soils remains uncertain especially at neutral pH. To specifically elucidate the role of mineral surfaces and pedogenic oxides for DOC retention at pH 7, we sorbed DOC to bulk soil (illitic surface soils of a toposequence) and corresponding clay fraction (< 2 μm) samples after the removal of organic matter and after removal of organic matter and pedogenic oxides. The DOC retention was related to the content of dithionite‐extractable iron, specific surface area (SSA, BET‐N₂ method) and cation exchange capacity (pH 7). The reversibility of DOC sorption was determined by a desorption experiment. All samples sorbed 20–40 % of the DOC added. The DOC sorption of the clay fractions explained the total sorption of the bulk soils. None of the mineral phase properties investigated was able to solely explain the DOC retention. A sorption of 9 to 24 μg DOC m^–2 indicated that DOC interacted only with a fraction of the mineral surface, since loadings above 500 μg m^–2 would be expected for a carbon monolayer. Under the experimental conditions used, the surface of the silicate clay minerals seemed to be more important for the DOC sorption than the surface of the iron oxides. The desorption experiment removed 11 to 31 % of the DOC sorbed. Most of the DOC was strongly sorbed.