亚热带不同林分土壤表层有机碳组成及其稳定性

在浙江临安玲珑山选取了常绿阔叶林、马尾松林、板栗林和雷竹林4种林分,采用传统的化学方法与固态13C核磁共振(NMR)技术研究其土壤有机碳在不同粒径土壤颗粒中的分布规律和结构特征,探讨林分类别和管理措施对土壤有机碳含量及其结构的影响,为亚热带地区森林固碳和土壤碳库管理提供科学依据。结果显示:(1)土壤表层(0—20 cm)有机碳含量按以下次序递减:雷竹林>常绿阔叶林>马尾松林>板栗林,且板栗林以粉黏粒结合态碳为主,其他林分土壤则以粗砂结合态碳为主;(2)13C NMR结果表明,阔叶林和马尾松林土壤有机碳中烷基碳所占比例最大,而雷竹林和板栗林则是烷氧碳比例最大,表明人工经营措施改变了土壤有机碳的成分组成;(3)随着土壤颗粒变细,有机碳中烷基碳比例增加,烷氧碳比例减少,A/O-A值和疏水碳/亲水碳值逐渐增大,表明颗粒越细,其结合的有机碳结构稳定性越高。     

Determination of low molecular weight dicarboxylic acids and organic functional groups in rhizosphere and bulk soils of Tsuga and Yushania in a temperate rain forest

Low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs) derived from root exudates, decomposing organic matter, and other sources are important ligands. The species of these LMWOAs in the Tsuga rhizosphere soil (TRS), and Yushania rhizosphere soil (YRS), and bulk soil (BS) from an alpine forest region were identified. LMWOA and organic functional groups were used to those fresh twigs and leaves, litters, and roots as comparison. The objectives of this study were to (i) develop a method that could be used to determine LMWOAs in soil solution by gas chromatography (GC), (ii) assess methods for processing LMWOAs in soil samples, and (iii) determine the relative proportions of organic carbon functional groups in the TRS, YRS and BS, and fresh plant materials with¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C NMR) analysis. The proportion of organic acid contents followed the order of YRS > TRS > BS, and also showed significant differences (P < 0.05) from GC analysis. The amounts of malonic, fumaric and succinic acids in the YRS samples were greater than in the TRS and BS. Samples analyzed after 1 month of deep freeze storage (–24°C) showed no signs of decomposition. The proportion of organic functional groups in the rhizosphere and bulk soils quantified by ¹³C NMR analyses followed the general order: alkyl-C > O-alkyl-C > N-alkyl-C > acetal-C > aromatic-C > carboxylic-C > phenolic-C.     

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.     

O/N-alkyl and alkyl C are stabilised in fine particle size fractions of forest soils

Carbon stocks and organic matter composition in bulk soils and particle size fractions of Ah horizons from Luvisols, Leptosols and Phaeozems under European beech (Fagus silvatica L.) forest were investigated by elemental analysis, solid state ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C CPMAS NMR) spectroscopy and lignin analysis (CuO-oxidation). Radiocarbon age was used as an indicator for C turnover. The SOM of bulk soils and particle size fractions is dominated by O/N-alkyl C and alkyl C. Compared to sand and silt fractions, clay fractions had lower C/N ratios and ¹⁴C abundances. Aryl C and more specifically phenolic components (O-aryl C) decreased from sand to clay fractions. The concomitant decrease of lignin, determined by CuO oxidation, suggests that a major proportion of O-aryl C can be attributed to lignin. Positive nonlinear relations between the O-aryl C and the C/N ratio reveal the trend of decreasing O-aryl C proportions with increasing decomposition. Although lignin is believed to be highly recalcitrant, only low amounts of lignin are found in the stable clay fractions. In contrast to O-aryl C, the O/N-alkyl C contribution decreased from sand to silt fractions, but increased again in the clay fractions, whereas alkyl C contents exhibited lowest values in the sand fractions. These results are indicative of stabilisation processes operating specifically on polysaccharides and alkyl C, but not on aryl C, through association with the clay fraction.     

Impact of elevated CO2 on soil organic matter dynamics as related to changes in aggregate turnover and residue quality

Increasing global atmospheric CO₂ concentration can potentially affect C cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. This study was conducted to assess the impact of elevated CO₂ concentration on soil organic matter and aggregate dynamics in Lolium perenne and Trifolium repens pastures. Soil samples from a 6 year old `free air CO₂ enrichment' (FACE) experiment were separated in four aggregate size classes (<53, 53–250, 250–2000, and > 2000 m). Free light fraction (i.e. particulate organic matter (POM) outside of aggregates; free LF) and intra-aggregate-POM (i.e. POM occluded within the aggregate structure; iPOM) were isolated. The distinct ¹³C-signature of the CO₂ used to raise the ambient CO₂ concentration in FACE allowed us to calculate proportions of recently incorporated C (< 6 yr) in the physically defined soil fractions. The proportion of new C increased with increasing aggregate size class, except the two largest aggregate size classes had a similar proportion of new C; this indicates a faster turnover of macroaggregates compared to microaggregates. In addition, higher proportions of new C in macroaggregates under T. repens compared to L. perenne indicate a faster macroaggregate turnover under T. repens. This faster macroaggregate turnover is hypothesized to be a result of the higher residue quality (C:N ratio) of T. repens compared to L. perenne and reduces the potential of sequestering C under elevated CO₂. In the L. perenne soil, elevated CO₂ did not significantly increase total C, but led to: (1) a 54% increase in aggregation and (2) a 40% increase in total iPOM-C. It is hypothesized that the sequestration of iPOM-C induced by elevated CO₂ in the low residue quality, L. perenne treatment, resulted from an increase in the proportion of large macroaggregates with a slow turnover.     

Linking microbial activity and soil organic matter transformations in forest soils under elevated CO2

Soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics ultimately govern the ability of soil to provide long‐term C sequestration and the nutrients required for ecosystem productivity. Predicting belowground responses to elevated CO₂ requires an integrated understanding of SOM transformations and the microbial activity that governs them. It remains unclear how the microorganisms upon which these transformations depend will function in an elevated CO₂ world. This study examines SOM transformations and microbial metabolism in soils from the Duke Free Air Carbon Enrichment site in North Carolina, USA. We assessed microbial respiration and net nitrogen (N) mineralization in soils with and without elevated CO₂ exposure during a 100‐day incubation. We also traced the depleted C isotopic signature of the supplemental CO₂ into SOM and the soils' phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA), which serve as biomarkers for living cells. Cumulative net N mineralization in elevated CO₂ soils was 50% that in control soils after a 100‐day incubation. Respiration was not altered with elevated CO₂. C : N ratios of bulk SOM did not change with elevated CO₂, but incubation data suggest that the C : N ratios of mineralized organic matter increased with elevated CO₂. Values of SOM δ¹³C were depleted with elevated CO₂ (?26.7±0.2 vs. ?30.2±0.3‰), reflecting the depleted signature of the supplemental CO₂. We compared δ¹³C of individual PLFA with the δ¹³C of SOM to discern incorporation of the depleted C isotopic signature into soil microbial groups in elevated CO₂ plots. PLFA i15:0, a15:0, and 10Met18:0 reflected significant incorporation of recently produced photosynthate, suggesting that the bacterial groups defined by these biomarkers are active metabolizers in elevated CO₂ soils. At least one of these groups (actinomycetes, 10Met18:0) specializes in metabolizing less labile substrates. Because control plots did not receive an equivalent ¹³C tracer, we cannot determine from these data whether this group of organisms was stimulated by elevated CO₂ compared with these organisms in control soils. Stimulation of this group, if it occurred in the elevated CO₂ plot, would be consistent with a decline in the availability of mineralizable organic matter with elevated CO₂, which incubation data suggest may be the case in these soils.     

13C-Isotopomer-based metabolomics of microbial groups isolated from two forest soils

Soil microorganisms are the primary mediators of organic matter decomposition and humification processes in soil, which represent a critical C flux in the global C cycle. Little is known about how soil microbes regulate carbon cycling including the contribution of their own biomass to stable soil organic matter. A comprehensive understanding of microbial composition is a first step to unraveling microbial regulation of soil humification processes. For this purpose, we isolated 23 microbial strains representing four major groups (Gram (+) bacteria, Gram (−) bacteria, Actinobacteria, and Fungi) from a temperate and a tropical forest soil. The microbial isolates were cultured with uniformly ¹³C-labeled glucose as the C source such that all biochemical components synthesized from glucose were ¹³C labeled. This approach enabled field mesocosm experiments on tracking microbial decomposition, while facilitating solution- and solid-state NMR analysis of microbial composition. Polar and lipid extracts of labeled biomass of the four microbial groups from the two forest sites were profiled by 2D NMR methods, including high-resolution heteronuclear single quantum coherence spectroscopy and HCCH-total correlation spectroscopy. This ¹³C labeling approach also enabled the analysis of intact biomass by 2D solid-state ¹³C–¹³C correlation spectroscopy. Distinction between microbial groups and sites was observed in the polar and lipophilic metabolite profiles. Dominant differences could also be related to the capacity for lipid β-oxidation or adaptation to desiccation. Solid-state NMR further revealed differential synthetic capacity for glycolipids among groups. This technology coupled with ¹³C metabolite profiling should facilitate future functional annotation of indigenous microbial genomes.     

Organic matter composition and degree of humification in lignite-rich mine soils under a chronosequence of pine

In the Lusatian mining district, in the eastern part of the Federal Republic of Germany, organic matter of reclaimed mine soils consists of a mixture of lignite and recently formed soil organic matter (recent carbon). The aim of the study was to investigate the recent carbon accumulation and the degree of humification of a chronosequence of young mine soils under forest. The lignite content of the forest floor, Ai (0–5 cm) and Cv horizons (1 m depth) was determined by ¹⁴CU activity measurements and the structural composition of the organic matter was characterised by ¹³C CPMAS NMR spectroscopy. To obtain a characterisation of the degree of humification, the soil samples were analysed for the content of polysaccharides, proteins, lignin and lipids by wet chemical methods. ¹⁴C activity measurements indicate that at the oldest site, comparable amounts of carbon accumulated in the first few centimetres of the soil profile than in natural forest soils. ¹³C CPMAS NMR spectra of the organic matter in the Ai horizons of the three soil profiles were dominated by aromatic and alkyl carbon species characteristic for lignite, but indicated as well an increasing contribution of carbon species from decomposing plant litter with soil age. When the results from wet chemical analyses were normalised to the total carbon content no changes with age could be noticed. After normalisation of the amount of litter compounds to the recent carbon content, the carbon identified by plant litter compound analysis decreased with increasing depth and increasing age of the soils. After 32 years the values are comparable to those of natural forest soils. These observations were confirmed by increasing degree of lignin alteration with stand age and soil depth. The data of wet chemical analyses complement data obtained by ¹⁴C activity measurements and ¹³C CPMAS NMR spectroscopy and lead to the conclusion that 32 years after reforestation the degree of humification of the soil organic matter is in the same range as those of natural sites. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Cultivation effects on the nature of organic matter in soils and water extracts using CP/MAS 13C NMR spectroscopy

The objective of this study was to examine the chemical structure of the organic matter (SOM) of Oxisols soils in slash and burn agriculture, in relation to its biological properties and soil fertility. The CP/MAS ¹³C technique was used to identify the main structural groups in litter and fine roots as SOM precursors; to identify the changes on the nature of the SOM upon cultivation and the proportion of labile and stable components; and to identify the nature of the organics present in water extracts (DOC). Carbohydrates were the main structural components in litter whereas components such as carbonyl C, carboxyl C,O-alkyl C and alkyl C were more common in SOM. Phenolic C and the degree of aromaticity were similar in litter and SOM. Cultivation resulted in a small decrease in the relative proportion of carbohydrates in SOM, little change in the levels of O-alkyl C and carbonyl C, but an increase in carboxyl C, phenolic C and aromaticity of the SOM. The level of alkyl C in soil was higher than the level of O-alkyl C, indicating the importance of long-chain aliphatics along with lignins in the stabilization of the SOM in Oxisols. The SOM of Mollisols from the Canadian Prairies differed from the Oxisol, with a generally stronger expression of aromatic structures, particularly in a cultivated soil in relation to a native equivalent. Carbohydrate components were the predominant structures in the DOC, indicating their importance in nutrient cycling and vertical translocations in the Oxisol.     

Density fractionation of forest soils: methodological questions and interpretation of incubation results and turnover time in an ecosystem context

Soil organic matter (SOM) is often separated by physical means to simplify a complex matrix into discrete fractions. A frequent approach to isolating two or more fractions is based on differing particle densities and uses a high density liquid such as sodium polytungstate (SPT). Soil density fractions are often interpreted as organic matter pools with different carbon (C) turnover times, ranging from years to decades or centuries, and with different functional roles for C and nutrient dynamics. In this paper, we discuss the development and mechanistic basis of common density-based methods for dividing soil into distinct organic matter fractions. Further, we directly address the potential effects of dispersing soil in a high density salt solution on the recovered fractions and implications for data interpretation. Soil collected from forested sites at H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest, Oregon and Bousson Experimental Forest, Pennsylvania was separated into light and heavy fractions by floatation in a 1.6 g cm⁻³ solution of SPT. Mass balance calculations revealed that between 17% and 26% of the original bulk soil C and N content was mobilized and subsequently discarded during density fractionation for both soils. In some cases, the light isotope was preferentially mobilized during density fractionation. During a year-long incubation, mathematically recombined density fractions respired ∼40% less than the bulk soil at both sites and light fraction (LF) did not always decompose more than the heavy fraction (HF). Residual amounts of tungsten (W) present even in well-rinsed fractions were enough to reduce microbial respiration by 27% compared to the control in a 90-day incubation of O_a material. However, residual W was nearly eliminated by repeated leaching over the year-long incubation, and is not likely the primary cause of the difference in respiration between summed fractions and bulk soil. Light fraction at Bousson, a deciduous site developed on Alfisols, had a radiocarbon-based mean residence time (MRT) of 2.7 or 89 years, depending on the interpretation of the radiocarbon model, while HF was 317 years. In contrast, both density fractions from H. J. Andrews, a coniferous site developed on andic soils, had approximately the same MRT (117 years and 93 years for LF and HF). At H. J. Andrews the organic matter lost during density separation had a short MRT (19 years) and can account for the difference in respired CO₂ between the summed fractions and the bulk soil. Recognition and consideration of the effects of the density separation procedure on the recovered fractions will help prevent misinterpretation and deepen our understanding of the specific role of the recovered organic matter fractions in the ecological context of the soil studied.     

Studies on litter characterization using 13C NMR and assessment of microbial activity in natural forest and plantation crops’ (teak and rubber) soil ecosystems of Kerala, India

The leaf litter is the major source of soil organic matter in natural and many plantation crop ecosystems. Quantity and quality of organic matter in a soil ecosystem is of utmost importance in regulating the soil health. Hence assessment of quality of organic matter input, viz., litter is important and is attempted in this study. The leaf litter of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis), pueraria (Pueraria phaseoloides), mucuna (Mucuna bracteata), teak (Tectona grandis) and forest (mixed species) were analyzed using solid state ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to study the relative abundance of different carbon compounds present. The spectra revealed that litter of all species studied contain relatively larger amounts of polysaccharides compared to other C containing compounds. Also it could be observed that the alkyl-C to O-alkyl-C ratio of rubber litter was much higher compared to that of others. Aromatics and carbonyl compounds were also present in all litter species. The resource quality based on alkyl-C to O-alkyl-C ratio of the litter samples studied can be arranged in the order pueraria > teak > mucuna > forest > rubber. The respiration rate, substrate induced respiration rate and biomass-C (Cmic) of the litter samples were estimated. It could be observed that litter associated microbial activity decreased as alkyl-C to O-alkyl-C ratio increased. Resource quality derived from the NMR spectra and the litter biological properties were complementary. Soil samples (0–15 cm) from the five soil ecosystems (rubber, pueraria, mucuna, teak and forest) were analyzed for respiration rate, substrate induced respiration rate, Cmic, total-C and total-N. The forest soil had higher respiration rate, total-C and total-N compared to cultivated soil systems. Pueraria, mucuna and teak soils were comparable for their biological properties while rubber soil recorded comparatively lower microbial activity.     

Rhizosphere priming effects on the decomposition of soil organic matter in C4 and C3 grassland soils

Using a natural abundance ¹³C method, soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition was studied in a C₃ plant – `C<sub>4</sub> soil' (C<sub>3</sub> plant grown in a soil obtained from a grassland dominated by C<sub>4</sub> grasses) system and a C<sub>4</sub> plant – `C₃ soil' (C₄ plant grown in a soil taken from a pasture dominated by C₃ grasses) system. In C₃ plant – `C<sub>4</sub> soil' system, cumulative soil-derived CO<sub>2</sub>–C were higher in the soils planted with soybean (5499 mg pot<sup>–1</sup>) and sunflower (4484 mg pot<sup>–1</sup>) than that in `C₄ soil' control (3237 mg pot^–1) without plants. In other words, the decomposition of SOM in soils planted with soybean and sunflower were 69.9% and 38.5% faster than `C<sub>4</sub> soil' control. In C<sub>4</sub> plant – `C₃ soil' system, there was an overall negative priming effect of live roots on the decomposition of SOM. The cumulative soil-derived CO₂–C were lower in the soils planted with sorghum (2308 mg pot^–1) and amaranthus (2413 mg pot^–1) than that in `C<sub>3</sub> soil' control (2541 mg pot<sup>–1</sup>). The decomposition of SOM in soils planted with sorghum and amaranthus were 9.2% and 5.1% slower than `C₃ soil' control. Our results also showed that rhizosphere priming effects on SOM decomposition were positive at all developmental stages in C₃ plant – `C<sub>4</sub> soil' system, but the direction of the rhizosphere priming effect changed at different developmental stages in the C<sub>4</sub> plant – `C₃ soil' system. Implications of rhizosphere priming effects on SOM decomposition were discussed.     

Isotope fractionation and 13C enrichment in soil profiles during the decomposition of soil organic matter

The mechanisms behind the ¹³C enrichment of organic matter with increasing soil depth in forests are unclear. To determine if ¹³C discrimination during respiration could contribute to this pattern, we compared δ¹³C signatures of respired CO₂ from sieved mineral soil, litter layer and litterfall with measurements of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N of mineral soil, litter layer, litterfall, roots and fungal mycelia sampled from a 68-year-old Norway spruce forest stand planted on previously cultivated land. Because the land was subjected to ploughing before establishment of the forest stand, shifts in δ¹³C in the top 20 cm reflect processes that have been active since the beginning of the reforestation process. As ¹³C-depleted organic matter accumulated in the upper soil, a 1.0‰ δ¹³C gradient from −28.5‰ in the litter layer to −27.6‰ at a depth of 2–6 cm was formed. This can be explained by the 1‰ drop in δ¹³C of atmospheric CO₂ since the beginning of reforestation together with the mixing of new C (forest) and old C (farmland). However, the isotopic change of the atmospheric CO₂ explains only a portion of the additional 1.0‰ increase in δ¹³C below a depth of 20 cm. The δ¹³C of the respired CO₂ was similar to that of the organic matter in the upper soil layers but became increasingly ¹³C enriched with depth, up to 2.5‰ relative to the organic matter. We hypothesise that this ¹³C enrichment of the CO₂ as well as the residual increase in δ¹³C of the organic matter below a soil depth of 20 cm results from the increased contribution of ¹³C-enriched microbially derived C with depth. Our results suggest that ¹³C discrimination during microbial respiration does not contribute to the ¹³C enrichment of organic matter in soils. We therefore recommend that these results should be taken into consideration when natural variations in δ¹³C of respired CO₂ are used to separate different components of soil respiration or ecosystem respiration.     

Estimating C inputs retained as soil organic matter from corn (Zea Mays L.)

In agroecosystems, the annual C inputs to soil are a major factor controlling soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics. However, the ability to predict soil C balance for agroecosystems is limited because of difficulties in estimating C inputs and in particular from the below-ground part. The objective of this paper was to estimate the proportion of corn residue retained as SOM. For that purpose, the results of a ¹³C long-term (15 yr) field study conducted on continuous silage corn and two silage corn rotations along with data from the existing literature were analyzed. The total amount of corn-derived C (0–30 cm) was about 2.5 to 3.0 times higher for the continuous corn treatment (445 g m^-2), compared to the two rotational treatments (175 and 133 g m^-2 for the corn-barley-barley-wheat and corn-underseeded barley hay-hay rotations, respectively). Assuming that the C inputs to the soil from silage-corn was mainly roots and would have been similar across treatments on an annual basis, the total amount of corn-derived C for the two rotational treatments was approximately proportional to the number of years the silage-corn was present in the rotation (4 yr). The results from the current study indicate that about 17% of root-derived C is retained as SOM. This value is higher than those reported in the literature for long-term studies on shoot-derived C (range of 7.7 to 20%, average of 12.2%), which is in agreement with previous studies showing that more C is retained as SOM from roots than from shoots. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Assessing amendment properties of digestate by studying the organic matter composition and the degree of biological stability during the anaerobic digestion of the organic fraction of MSW

The transformation of organic matter during anaerobic digestion of mixtures of energetic crops, cow slurry, agro-industrial waste and organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) was studied by analysing different samples at diverse points during the anaerobic digestion process in a full-scale plant. Both chemical (fiber analysis) and spectroscopic approaches (¹³C CPMAS NMR) indicated the anaerobic digestion process proceeded by degradation of more labile fraction (e.g. carbohydrate-like molecules) and concentration of more recalcitrant molecules (lignin and non-hydrolysable lipids). These modifications determined a higher degree of biological stability of digestate with respect to the starting mixture, as suggested, also, by the good correlations found between the cumulative oxygen uptake (OD₂₀), and the sum of (cellulose + hemicellulose + cell soluble) contents of biomasses detected by fiber analysis (r = 0.99; P < 0.05), and both O–alkyl-C (r = 0.98; P < 0.05) and alkyl-C (r = −0.99; P < 0.05) measured by ¹³C CPMAS NMR.     

Effects of different molecular weight fractions of dissolved organic matter on the growth of bacteria,algae and protozoa from a highly humic lake

Effects of different molecular size fractions (< 1000 MW, < 10 000 MW, < 100 000 MW and <0.1 μm) of dissolved organic matter (DOM) on the growth of bacteria, algae and protozoa from a highly humic lake were investigated. DOM from catchment drainage water as well as from the lake consisted mostly (59–63%) of high molecular weight (HMW) compounds (> 10 000 MW). With excess inorganic nutrients, the growth rate and yield of bacteria were almost identical in all size fractions. However, in < 1000 MW fractions and with glucose added, a longer lag phase occurred. Without added nutrients both the growth rates and biomasses of bacteria decreased towards the smaller size fractions and the percentage of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) used during the experiment and the growth efficiency of bacteria were lower than with excess nutrients. The growth efficiency of bacteria was estimated to vary between 3–66% in different MW fractions, largely depending on the nutrient concentrations, but the highest growth efficiencies were observed in HMW fractions and with glucose. The growth of algae was clearly lowest in the < 1000 MW fraction. In dim light no net growth of algae could be found. In contrast, added nutrients substantially enhanced algal growth and in deionized water with glucose, algae achieved almost the same growth rate and biomass as in higher MW fractions of DOM. The results suggested that bacteria and some algae were favoured by DOM, but protozoans seemed to benefit only indirectly, through bacterial grazing. The utilization of DOM by bacteria and algae was strongly affected by the availability of phosphorus and nitrogen.     

Changes in soil organic matter with cropping as measured by organic carbon fractions and 13C natural isotope abundance

The decline in soil organic matter with cropping is a major factor affecting the sustainability of cropping systems. Changes in total C levels are relativelyinsensitive as a sustainability measure. Oxidation with different strength KMnO₄ has been shown to be a more sensitive indicator of change. The relative size of soil C fractions oxidised by 333 mM KMnO₄ declined with cropping, whilst the relative size of the unoxidised fraction increased. Changes in ¹³C ratio have been used to measure C turnover in systems which include C3 and C4 species.     

Physicochemical and spectroscopic characteristics of dissolved organic matter extracted from municipal solid waste (MSW) and their influence on the landfill biological stability

For the purpose of evaluating the stability of municipal solid waste (MSW) excavated from a landfill, dissolved organic matter was extracted and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. Results showed that dissolved organic carbon concentration, ratio of dissolved organic carbon to dissolved organic nitrogen, and specific ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm were in the range of 0.383-3.502 g kg⁻¹, 0.388-3.693 and 2.700-4.629 L mg⁻¹ m⁻¹, respectively, indicating the stability of MSW. Results obtained from Fourier transform infrared spectra have demonstrated that the stability of excavated MSW was characterized by disappearance of some easily biodegradable compounds; and the 1635/1406 ratio varied from 0.979 to 1.840 and was higher than that of the matured compost. The excitation-emission matrix spectra have shown that the principal components in excavated MSW comprised humic substances and the MSW was stable by the presence of a peak with wavelength pair of ∼280/420 nm.     

Soil organic matter dynamics under decaying wood in a subtropical wet forest: effect of tree species and decay stage

Decaying wood is an important structural and functional component of forests: it contributes to generate habitat diversity, acts as either sink or source of nutrients, and plays a preponderant role in soil formation. Thus, decaying wood might likely have measurable effects on chemical properties of the underlying soil. We hypothesized that decaying wood would have a stronger effect on soil as decomposition advances and that such effect would vary according to wood quality. Twenty logs from two species with contrasting wood properties (Dacryodes excelsa Vahl. and Swietenia macrophylla King) and at two different decay stages (6 and 15 years after falling) were selected, and soil under and 50 cm away from decaying logs was sampled for soil organic matter (SOM) fractions [NaOH-extractable and water-extractable organic matter -(WEOM)] and properties (WEOM aromaticity). NaOH-extractable C and WEOM were higher in the soil influenced by 15-year-old logs, while the degree of aromaticity of WEOM was higher in the soil influenced by the 6-year-old logs. Decaying logs did influence properties of the underlying soil with differing effects according to the species since there was more NaOH-extractable C in the soil associated to D. excelsa logs and more WEOM in the soil associated to S. macrophylla older logs. It is proposed that such effects occurred through changes in the relative quantity and quality of different SOM fractions, as influenced by species and advancement in decomposition. Through its effect on SOM and nutrient dynamics, decaying wood can contribute to the spatial heterogeneity of soil properties, and can affect process of soil formation and nutrient cycling. Responsible Editor: Barbara Wick.     

Effects of forest conversion into grassland on soil aggregate structure and carbon storage in Panama: evidence from soil carbon fractionation and stable isotopes

Land-use and land-cover strongly influence soil properties such as the amount of soil organic carbon (SOC), aggregate structure and SOC turnover processes. We studied the effects of a vegetation shift from forest to grassland 90 years ago in soils derived from andesite material on Barro Colorado Island (BCI), Panama. We quantified the amount of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) and determined the turnover of C in bulk soil, water stable aggregates (WSA) of different size classes (<53 μm, 53–250 μm, 250–2000 μm and 2000–8000 μm) and density fractions (free light fraction, intra-aggregate particulate organic matter and mineral associated soil organic C). Total SOC stocks (0–50 cm) under forest (84 Mg C ha⁻¹) and grassland (64 Mg C ha⁻¹) did not differ significantly. Our results revealed that vegetation type did not have an effect on aggregate structure and stability. The investigated soils at BCI did not show higher C and N concentrations in larger aggregates, indicating that organic material is not the major binding agent in these soils to form aggregates. Based on δ¹³C values and treating bulk soil as a single, homogenous C pool we estimated a mean residence time (MRT) of 69 years for the surface layer (0–5 cm). The MRT varied among the different SOC fractions and among depth. In 0–5 cm, MRT of intra-aggregate particulate organic matter (iPOM) was 29 years; whereas mineral associated soil organic C (mSOC) had a MRT of 124 years. These soils have substantial resilience to C and N losses because the >90% of C and N is associated with mSOC, which has a comparatively long MRT.