Managing soils for long-term productivity

Meeting the goal of long-term agricultural productivity requires that soil degradation be halted and reversed. Soil fertility decline is a key factor in soil degradation and is probably the major cause of declining crop yields. There is evidence that the contribution of declining soil fertility to soil degradation has been underestimated. <br>Sensitivity to soil degradation is implicit in the assessment of the sustainability of land management practices, with wide recognition of the fact that soils vary in their ability to resist change and recover subsequent to stress. The concept of resilience in relation to sustainability requires further elaboration and evaluation.<br>In the context of soil degradation, a decline in soil fertility is primarily interpreted as the depletion of organic matter and plant nutrients. Despite a higher turnover rate of organic matter in the tropics there is no intrinsic difference between the organic matter content of soils from tropical and temperate regions. The level of organic matter in a soil is closely related to the above and below ground inputs. In the absence of adequate organic material inputs and where cultivation is continuous, soil organic matter declines progressively. Maintaining the quantity and quality of soil organic matter should be a guiding principle in developing management practices.<br>Soil microbial biomass serves as an important reservoir of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and sulphur (S), and regulates the cycling of organic matter and nutrients. Because of its high turnover rate, microbial biomass reacts quickly to changes in management and is a sensitive indicator for monitoring and predicting changes in soil organic matter. Modelling techniques have been reasonably successful in predicting changes in soil organic matter with different organic material inputs, but there is little information from the tropics. <br>Nutrient depletion through harvested crop components and residue removal, and by leaching and soil erosion accentuates the often very low inherent fertility of many soils in the tropics. An integrated approach involving inorganic and organic inputs is required where animal and plant residues are returned, as far as practicable. Chemical fertilizers alone cannot achieve long-term productivity on many soils and organic material inputs are required to maintain soil organic matter levels and crop productivity. A major research effort is required to develop improved strategies for halting and reversing soil degradation if long-term productivity is to be secured. <br>     

The effect of forty years of continuous corn cropping on soil organic matter characteristics

Changes in humus and some of the major extractable components of soil organic matter were examined, following forty years of conventionally tilled continuous corn cropping compared with those of an adjacent untilled native grassland soil. Results indicate that long-term continuous cropping caused a significant reduction in the content of alkali extractable and water soluble carbon, as well as in the phenolic and chloroform extractable compounds, while no differences in volatile acids and n-hexane extractable substances were found. On the basis of organic C, corn cropping led to a relative enrichement of phenolic compounds, volatile acids and substances extractable by Na₄P₂O₇, but it did not affect the substances extractable by water. Except for the humification ratio (HR), the humification parameters, such as humification degree (HD), the extracted humic and fulvic acids, the C_HA/C_FA ratio and the humification index (HI) revealed a higher degree of humification of the organic matter in native grassland than in the continuous corn cropping system. IR spectra of n-hexane, chloroform, alkaline and water extracts failed to show significant differences between sites under native grassland and sites under continuous corn.     

Enzyme activities and compositional shifts in the community structure of bacterial groups in English wetland soils associated with preservation of organic remains in archaeological sites

To extend our previous research on preservation in situ of organic archaeological remains in wetland soils, physicochemical variables and extracellular enzyme activities (??-d-glucosidase, phosphatase, and leucine aminopeptidase) were measured in two archaeological wetland soils in northern England, from the soil surface down to 100 cm during two years. These two locations, with a proven potential to contain and preserve archaeo-environmental remains, were of interest because they had different hydrological and land-management history. In addition, for one of the sampling years, the structure of soil bacterial communities was monitored using polymerase chain reaction followed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) of 16S rRNA gene-coding fragments amplified from soil DNA, using primers specific for eu bacteria, actinomycetes, and ??-proteobacteria. The physicochemical monitoring data indicated that at Sutton Common the buried conditions were less stable and more heterogeneous throughout the soil profile than at Hatfield Moor. Extracellular enzyme activities decreased with depth at both sites and higher average enzyme activity was found at Hatfield Moor than at Sutton Common. Phosphatase and leucine aminopeptidase were the most active enzymes throughout the soil profile. Our results indicated that the enzymatic potential for organic matter (OM) degradation at both sites was strongly correlated to pH and OM content in the soil. DGGE patterns for eubacterial, ??-proteobacteria, and actinomycete populations indicated intra-site changes in community structure with time of sampling and depth. The sampling site with a high and stable water table, Hatfield Moor, showed higher enzyme activities above 50 cm depth and as a consequence had more potential for OM degradation than the site with fluctuating hydrological conditions. These trends provide insight into the potential for biodegradation over time and with depth at these two sites, information that is relevant to the in situ preservation of buried organic archaeological artefacts in wetland soils.     

呼伦贝尔典型退化草原土壤理化与微生物性状

以内蒙古克鲁伦河流域呼伦贝尔典型草原为对象,设置了轻度、中度和重度退化3种类型样地,研究不同程度退化草原的物种组成、地上生物量、土壤理化性状、土壤微生物数量和酶活性,以及微生物生物量的变化.结果表明: 中度退化样地的群落物种丰富度最大,轻度退化样地的地上生物量显著高于重度退化样地.退化样地的土壤水分、养分(有机质、全氮),微生物量碳、氮,以及微生物数量和酶活性显著下降,土壤容重显著增加.退化样地的土壤微生物生物量碳、氮在128～185和5.6～13.6 g·kg^-1,土壤脱氢酶和脲酶活性均与土壤容重呈显著负相关,与土壤全氮、有机质、微生物数量以及微生物生物量碳、氮呈显著正相关,地上生物量与土壤细菌和真菌数量呈不同程度的正相关.     

Differential production yet chemical similarity of dissolved organic matter across a chronosequence with contrasting nutrient availability in Hawaii

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a critical phase in terrestrial carbon and nutrient cycling forming the basis of many ecosystem functions, yet the primary drivers controlling its flux from organic horizons and resultant chemical composition remain only partially understood. We studied dissolved organic matter production and chemistry from organic soil horizons across a 4.1 My old well-constrained chronosequence in Hawaii. Controlled soil column irrigation and leaching experiments were conducted on field moist organic soil horizons to quantify microbial activity, DOM production and chemistry. Both microbial activity (defined as CO₂ production per unit substrate C) and DOM production were found to be lowest in the youngest (0.3 ky) and oldest (4.1 My) sites of the chronosequence, where nutrients (N and P respectively) were most limiting. By contrast, DOM production and microbial activity was greatest at the intermediate-aged (20–350 ky) sites where nutrients were least limiting, unrelated to the mass of organic matter found in the organic horizons. While differences in production rates were found, ¹³C NMR spectroscopic results indicated that there was a convergence of chemistry from the solid to the dissolved phase at all sites. In particular, all DOM samples were found to have a high proportion of aromatic acids. With supporting data from a diverse range of ecosystems, we postulate that chemical homogenization of DOM relative to source material is a common feature of many ecosystems due to two microbially mediated processes: (1) similar extracellular enzymatic oxidation conferring solubility to a subset of degradation products; and (2) the rapid selective consumption of the more labile organic compounds in the soil solution.     

植被恢复对侵蚀红壤可溶性有机质含量及光谱学特征的影响

为了解植被恢复对侵蚀红壤可溶性有机质含量及结构特征的影响, 以福建省长汀县河田镇植被恢复后的侵蚀红壤及对照裸地为研究对象, 对两试验地0-60 cm深土壤中可溶性有机质的含量及光谱学特征进行了比较研究。结果表明: 侵蚀红壤植被恢复后, 土壤可溶性有机碳含量显著提高, 在土表到60 cm深度的6个10 cm土层中, 植被恢复土壤可溶性有机碳含量分别提高为对照裸地相应土层的5.6、4.7、4.6、3.1、2.4及2.2倍。可溶性有机氮含量在两试验地之间的差异在各土层中不一致。植被恢复各土层侵蚀红壤可溶性有机质的芳香化指数显著高于对照裸地, 荧光发射光谱腐殖化指数略高于对照裸地, 植被恢复后的侵蚀红壤与对照裸地间荧光同步光谱腐殖化指数无明显差异。荧光同步光谱图中, 两试验地侵蚀红壤可溶性有机质的吸收主要为类蛋白质及芳香性脂肪族荧光基团的吸收。傅里叶红外光谱结果显示, 与对照裸地相比, 植被恢复后的侵蚀红壤土壤可溶性有机质中官能团种类更多, 且含有更多芳香碳及羧基碳。两试验地土壤可溶性有机质均表现为芳香化及腐殖化程度随土层的加深而降低。相关性分析显示, 土壤可溶性有机质的芳香化及腐殖化指数与土壤碳氮总量有极显著正相关关系。总之, 侵蚀红壤经植被恢复后, 土壤可溶性有机碳含量及可溶性有机质的芳香化指数显著提高, 可溶性有机质的腐殖化指数略有增大, 可溶性有机质结构更复杂, 更不易被分解, 因此有利于土壤肥力的恢复。     

Cellulose and lignin degradation in forest soils: Response to moisture,temperature, and acidity

The concentration of lignin in plant tissue is a major factor controlling organic matter degradation rates in forest ecosystems. Microbial biomass and lignin and cellulose decomposition were measured for six weeks in forest soil microcosms in order to determine the influence of pH, moisture, and temperature on organic matter decomposition. Microbial biomass was determined by chloroform fumigation; lignin and cellulose decomposition were measured radiometrically. The experiment was designed as a Latin square with soils of pH of 4.5, 5.5, and 6.5 adjusted to 20, 40, or 60% moisture content, and incubated at temperatures of 4, 12, or 24°C. Microbial biomass and lignin and cellulose decomposition were not significantly affected by soil acidity. Microbial biomass was greater at higher soil moisture contents. Lignin and cellulose decomposition significantly increased at higher soil temperatures and moisture contents. Soil moisture was more important in affecting microbial biomass than either soil temperature or soil pH.     

Organic matter chemistry and dynamics in clear-cut and unmanaged hardwood forest ecosystems

Forest harvesting alters the organic matter cycle by changing litter inputs and the decomposition regime. We hypothesized that these changes would result in differences in organic matter chemistry between clear-cut and uncut watershed ecosystems. We studied the chemistry of soil organic matter (SOM), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in soil solutions and stream samples in clear-cut and uncut sites at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire using DOC fractionation techniques and solid-state ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.Alkyl-C (aliphatic compounds) and O-alkyl-C (carbohydrates) were the largest C fractions in soil and dissolved organic matter at Hubbard Brook. Alkyl-C ranged from 29–48% of soil C, 25–42% of soil solution C, and 22–42% of streamwater DOC. Carbohydrates comprised 32–49%, 36–43%, and 29–60% of C in soils, solutions, and streamwater, respectively. In both soils and soil solutions, the carbohydrate fraction decreased with increasing soil depth, while the aromaticity of organic matter increased with depth. There were no significant differences in the structural chemistry of SOM between clear-cut and uncut watersheds.The aromatic-C fractions in soil solutions at the clear-cut site ranged from 12–16%, approximately 40% greater than at the uncut site (8.5–11%). Thus, clear-cutting has resulted in the leaching of more highly decomposed organic matter, and depletion of more aliphatic compounds in the soluble organic pool. Because DOC fluxes are small compared to the SOM pool, large differences in soil solution chemistry do not substantially alter the overall composition of SOM. While the organic chemistry of stream DOC varied greatly among 3 sampling dates, there were no obvious clear-cutting effects. Thus, temporal variations in flowpaths and/or in-stream processes appear to be more important than disturbance in regulating the organic carbon chemistry of these streams.     

Anaerobic Benzene Biodegradation: A Microcosm Survey

Benzene-amended microcosms prepared with saturated soil or sediment from five hydrocarbon-contaminated sites and one pristine site were monitored for a year and a half to determine the rate of benzene biodegradation under a variety of electron-accepting conditions. Sustainable benzene degradation was observed under specific conditions in microcosms from four of the six sites. Significant differences were observed between sites with respect to lag times before the onset of degradation, rates of degradation, sustainability of the activity, and environmental conditions supporting degradation. Benzene degradation was observed under sulfate-reducing, nitrate-reducing, and iron(III)-reducing conditions, but not under methanogenic conditions. The presence of competing substrates such as toluene, xylenes, and ethylbenzene was found to inhibit anaerobic benzene degradation in microcosms where sulfate or possibly nitrate was the electron acceptor for benzene degradation, but not in microcosms from where iron(III) was the electron acceptor. The presence of organic matter, indicated by a high fraction organic carbon (f_oc), also appeared to inhibit the biodegradation of benzene; microcosms constructed with soils with the highest f_oc exhibited the longest lag times before the onset of benzene degradation. The initial extent of hydrocarbon contamination did not appear to correlate with anaerobic benzene-degrading activity.     

Soil properties under Norway spruce differ in spruce dominated and mixed broadleaf forests of the Southern Taiga

In natural forest, disturbance changes tree species composition which in turn affects soil properties. Two areas in the Central Forest State Biosphere Reserve, in the Russian Southern Taiga Zone, differed in the intensity of disturbance: Norway spruce was the dominant species at one site, while at the other spruce was mixed with broadleaves. The presence of broadleaves was due to large gaps in the canopy having been formed, which have triggered vegetation succession. At both sites, five plots were selected to evaluate how the presence of broadleaves influences the properties of the soils under spruce. Soil samples were taken close to spruce trees and the O, A and E horizons were analysed. A difference in the distribution of organic matter in the soil horizons was evident, with a higher concentration in the O and A horizons at the spruce dominated site, while a more homogeneous distribution was found under spruce at the site where broadleaves were abundant. The organic matter did not only differ in quantity, but also in quality as estimated by the C/N ratio, and therefore affected the CEC and element relative availability. No differences at the two sites were found for water-extractable and exchangeable elements, but the ratio between the exchangeable and the acid-extractable forms were different, suggesting a higher relative availability of the elements at the spruce dominated site, and thus potentially higher leaching. Both theoretical and empirical studies have suggested that podzolisation and accumulation of organic matter in the O horizon are related to stagnation of ecosystem processes and ecosystem decline. Our data suggest that the presence to windthrow sites and the inclusion of broadleaf species acts to slow or even reverse podzolisation even in spruce dominated sites.     

Effects of surfactant use and peat amendment on leaching of fungicides and nitrate from golf greens

Soil water repellency in golf putting greens may induce preferential “finger flow”, leading to enhanced leaching of surface applied agrochemicals such as fungicides and nitrate. We examined the effects of root zone composition and the use of the non-ionic surfactant Revolution on soil water repellency, soil water content distributions, infiltration rates, turf quality, and fungicide and nitrate leaching from April 2007 to April 2008. The study was made on 4-year-old experimental green seeded with creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) ‘Penn A-4’ at Landvik in southeast Norway. Eight lysimeters with two different root zone materials: (i) straight sand (1% gravel, 96% sand, 3% silt and clay, and 4 g kg⁻¹ organic matter) (SS) and (ii) straight sand mixed with Sphagnum peat to an organic matter content of 25 g kg⁻¹ (SP) were used in this study. Surfactant treatment reduced the spatial variability of water contents, increased infiltration rates and reduced water drop penetration times (WDPTs) by on average 99% in and just below the thatch layer. These effects were most evident for SS lysimeters. Surfactant treatment resulted on average in an 80% reduction of total fungicide leaching, presumably due to reduced preferential finger flow facilitated by decreased soil water repellency. Peat amendment reduced fungicide leaching by 90%, probably due to increased sorption of the fungicides to organic matter. Nitrate leaching was also smaller from surfactant-treated straight-sand root zones, but this effect was not significant. The use of trade names in this paper does not imply endorsement of a product.     

Simultaneous sewage sludge digestion and metal leaching — effect of temperature

The effect of temperature on the simultaneous sewage sludge digestion and metal leaching process was studied in laboratory bioreactors of 20 l working volume. The results thus obtained showed that the process can be employed efficiently for metal solubilization, elimination of indicator microorganisms and sewage sludge stabilization at temperatures between 10°C and 30°C. Rates of pH reduction, sulfur oxidation, growth of thiobacilli, elimination of indicator microorganisms and solids degradation were found to decrease with temperature. Low metal solubilization efficiency was observed at 10°C; however, metals were solubilized to below the recommended level. The solubilization of organic matter and nutritive elements (N, P and K) was not significantly affected by the variation in temperature. The fertilizer value of sludge after leaching and digestion did not change significantly and remained the same irrespective of temperature. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** AG903078 00005     

溶液pH值及模拟酸雨对两种磺酰脲类除草剂在土壤中行为的影响

采用平衡振荡法和土柱淋洗法,研究了溶液pH及模拟酸雨对土壤中苄嘧磺隆和甲磺隆行为的影响.结果表明,Freundlich方程能较好地描述苄嘧磺隆和甲磺隆的吸附等温线,水-土壤系统pH升高能明显地降低这两种除草剂在土壤中的吸附,促进其在土壤中的迁移,且吸附常数(K_f)与土壤有机质含量、粘土含量呈正相关,而与土壤pH呈负相关.pH值高的模拟酸雨对除草剂在土壤中淋溶贡献较大,且淋溶量随雨量的增大而增大.除草剂在土壤中的淋溶与土壤性质密切相关,有机质含量和粘粒含量较高的土壤对除草剂的持留能力较强.     

耕作扰动对喀斯特土壤可溶性有机质及其组分迁移淋失的影响

土壤可溶性有机质(DOM)及其组分淋失特征研究对深入理解干扰作用下土壤碳氮养分损失机制具有重要意义,本研究基于翻耕模拟试验,分析喀斯特石灰土可溶性有机碳(DOC)、可溶性有机氮(DON)、及DOM官能团组分的淋失动态特征及其对不同耕作频率的响应,并探讨其影响因子。结果表明:(1)土壤DOC与DON的淋失量均随翻耕频率的增加而增加,但4个官能团特征参数对翻耕频率响应均不显著;DOC/DON淋失比随翻耕频率的增大而减少,DON占淋溶水可溶性总氮(TDN)比例随翻耕频率增加而增加。(2)DOC和DON月淋失量同时受翻耕处理与季节变化及其交互作用的影响,4个官能团特征参数仅受季节变化的影响;翻耕处理实施后,DOC月淋失量表现为初期大、后期小,各处理间差异性逐渐降低;但DON月淋失量初期小、后期大,各处理间差异性逐渐增大。(3)DOC淋失量与4个官能团特征参数呈显著负相关(P0.05),与Ca~(2+)、NH_4~+-N的淋失量呈显著正相关;DON淋失量与4个官能团参数无显著相关关系,与Mg~(2+)淋失量呈显著正相关关系。以上结果表明耕作扰动会加剧土壤DOM淋失,但淋失组分中稳定性组分没有变化,意味着耕作干扰将导致土壤有机质的持续损失,且由于其淋失组分碳氮比(DOC/DON)随扰动频率增加而降低,DON/TDN比随扰动频率增加而增加,持续的耕作干扰将大大增加水体氮素污染风险。     

In situ gross nitrogen transformations differ between temperate deciduous and coniferous forest soils

Despite long-term enhanced nitrogen (N) inputs, forests can retain considerable amounts of N. While rates of N inputs via throughfall and N leaching are increased in coniferous stands relative to deciduous stands at comparable sites, N leaching below coniferous stands is disproportionally enhanced relative to the N input. A better understanding of factors affecting N retention is needed to assess the impact of changing N deposition on N cycling and N loss of forests. Therefore, gross N transformation pathways were quantified in undisturbed well-drained sandy soils of adjacent equal-aged deciduous (pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.)) and coniferous (Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)) planted forest stands located in a region with high N deposition (north Belgium). In situ inorganic ¹⁵N labelling of the mineral topsoil (0–10?cm) combined with numerical data analysis demonstrated that (i) all gross N transformations differed significantly (p?<?0.05) between the two forest soils, (ii) gross N mineralization in the pine soil was less than half the rate in the oak soil, (iii) meaningful N immobilization was only observed for ammonium, (iv) nitrate production via oxidation of organic N occurred three times faster in the pine soil while ammonium oxidation was similar in both soils, and (v) dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium was detected in both soils but was higher in the oak soil. We conclude that the higher gross nitrification (including oxidation of organic N) in the pine soil compared to the oak soil, combined with negligible nitrate immobilization, is in line with the observed higher nitrate leaching under the pine forest.     

A comparative study of dissolved organic carbon transport and stabilization in California forest and grassland soils

For soil carbon to be effectively sequestered beyond a timescale of a few decades, this carbon must become incorporated into passive reservoirs or greater depths, yet the actual mechanisms by which this occurs is at best poorly known. In this study, we quantified the magnitude of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) leaching and subsequent retention in soils of a coniferous forest and a coastal prairie ecosystem. Despite small annual losses of DOC relative to respiratory losses, DOC leaching plays a significant role in transporting C from surface horizons and stabilizing it within the mineral soil. We found that DOC movement into the mineral soil constitutes 22% of the annual C inputs below 40 cm in a coniferous forest, whereas only 2% of the C inputs below 20 cm in a prairie soil could be accounted for by this process. In line with these C input estimates, we calculated advective transport velocities of 1.05 and 0.45 mm year⁻¹ for the forested and prairie sites, respectively. Radiocarbon measurements of field-collected DOC interpreted with a basic transport-turnover model indicated that DOC which was transported and subsequently absorbed had a mean residence time of 90–150 years. Given these residence times, the process of DOC movement and retention is responsible for 20% of the total mineral soil C stock to 1 m in the forest soil and 9% in the prairie soil. These results provide quantitative data confirming differences in C cycles in forests and grasslands, and suggest the need for incorporating a better mechanistic understanding of soil C transport, storage and turnover processes into both local and regional C cycle models.     

A comparative study of dissolved organic carbon transport and stabilization in California forest and grassland soils

For soil carbon to be effectively sequestered beyond a timescale of a few decades, this carbon must become incorporated into passive reservoirs or greater depths, yet the actual mechanisms by which this occurs is at best poorly known. In this study, we quantified the magnitude of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) leaching and subsequent retention in soils of a coniferous forest and a coastal prairie ecosystem. Despite small annual losses of DOC relative to respiratory losses, DOC leaching plays a significant role in transporting C from surface horizons and stabilizing it within the mineral soil. We found that DOC movement into the mineral soil constitutes 22% of the annual C inputs below 40 cm in a coniferous forest, whereas only 2% of the C inputs below 20 cm in a prairie soil could be accounted for by this process. In line with these C input estimates, we calculated advective transport velocities of 1.05 and 0.45 mm year^?1 for the forested and prairie sites, respectively. Radiocarbon measurements of field-collected DOC interpreted with a basic transport-turnover model indicated that DOC which was transported and subsequently absorbed had a mean residence time of 90–150 years. Given these residence times, the process of DOC movement and retention is responsible for 20% of the total mineral soil C stock to 1 m in the forest soil and 9% in the prairie soil. These results provide quantitative data confirming differences in C cycles in forests and grasslands, and suggest the need for incorporating a better mechanistic understanding of soil C transport, storage and turnover processes into both local and regional C cycle models.     

凋落物中水溶性有机物和残渣对亚热带森林土壤氮素转化的影响

设置60%和90%WHC两种土壤水分条件,并添加凋落物过滤液、剩余残渣和丙氨酸,进行为期36 d的室内培养(25 ℃),研究了凋落物中水溶性有机物和残渣对土壤氮素转化的影响.结果表明: 在60%和90%WHC条件下,丙氨酸在土壤中迅速矿化,该处理的土壤铵态氮(NH₄⁺-N)含量分别比对照显著提高5.4%～44.7%和16.1%～41.3%,净氮矿化和氨化速率在培养前期也高于对照,而凋落物过滤液和残渣添加处理则降低了土壤NH₄⁺-N含量,且残渣的降幅大于过滤液.试验期间,土壤硝态氮(NO₃^--N)含量呈直线增长趋势,培养结束时60%WHC条件下NO₃^--N含量显著高于90%WHC.土壤水分含量增多不利于土壤有机质的矿化;90%WHC条件下可溶性有机碳(SOC)含量明显低于60%WHC,而土壤氧化亚氮(N₂O)排放量比60%WHC提高1.5～63.0倍,且在60%WHC条件下凋落物残渣添加处理显著促进了土壤N₂O的排放.凋落物在分解过程中的可溶性物质和剩余物对土壤氮的影响存在差异,且这种差异随分解而发生动态变化.     

Cycling of Beryllium and Carbon through hillslope soils in Iowa

Isotopes of Be and C were used to reconstruct loess accumulation,hillslope evolution, and agricultural modification in soils of western Iowa.While both elements are derived from additions by the atmosphere (via plants inthe case of carbon), the differences in element cycling allow erosional anddepositional processes to be separated from biochemical processing. Based on¹⁰Be, loess accumulation likely occurred simultaneously withhillslope degradation. Rates of loess accumulation declined five-fold betweenearly stages (late Pleistocene and early Holocene) and later stages (lateHolocene) of accumulation, but the absolute timing of accumulation requiresindependent dating methods. Based on ¹⁴C measurements, plant inputsand decomposition are significant near the surface, but below1–1.5 m carbon inputs are minimal and decompositionisnearly arrested. The amount of carbon below 1.5 m isconstant (0.1%) and is composed of soil organic matter that was buried byloess.Agricultural modification results in a dramatic redistribution of¹⁰Be through soil erosion and deposition. By contrast, theredistribution of soil organic matter is masked by the rapid cycling of Cthrough the topsoil as it continually decomposes and is replaced by plantinputs.     

Effect of pH and dissolved organic matter on the abundance of nirK and nirS denitrifiers in spruce forest soil

Acid N depositions in the Bohemian Forest during the second half of the last century caused enormous soil acidification which led to the leaching of essential nutrients including nitrates. We investigated the effect of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and pH on the abundance of 16S RDNA, nirK and nirS gene copies in four spruce forest sites. Soil samples for molecular based quantification (qPCR) were taken from the organic litter and humus layers. The amounts of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved nitrogen (DN) were much lower in highly acidified soils. We found a strong correlation between nirK denitrifiers and the amount of available P (r = 0.83, p < 0.001), which suggested a higher nutrient sensitivity of this group of denitrifying bacteria. Additionally, we found that correlations between the amount of nirK denitrifiers and DOC and pH are exponentional showing two important threshold values, being 4.8 mol kg^?1 and 5, respectively. The amount of nirK denitrifiers rapidly decreased below these values. The amount of nirK and nirS denitrifiers was higher in the organic litter horizon than the organic humus horizon at all sampling sites.