An isotopic method for testing the influence of leaf litter quality on carbon fluxes during decomposition

Rubino, Mauro; Lubritto, C.; D’Onofrio, Antonio; Terrasi, F.; Gleixner, Gerd; Cotrufo, M. Francesca

doi:10.1007/s00442-007-0815-y

Cited by 26 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 47 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA, Fig. 1a) revealed opposing trends in the quantities of thermal labile (for example, polysaccharides), recalcitrant/refractory (for example, lipids) and inert/charred compounds in the soils 22 . Substantial fractions of labile compounds were present throughout the mofette, and while the ratio of labile to recalcitrant fractions was fairly stable at 1.4 ± 0.1 in the mofette, it decreased from 2.1 (0-5 cm) to 1.0 (>20 cm) in the reference.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Altered carbon turnover processes and microbiomes in soils under long-term extremely high CO2 exposure

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

* There is only limited understanding of the impact of high p(CO 2 ) on soil biomes. We have studied a floodplain wetland where long-term emanations of temperate volcanic CO 2 (mofettes) are associated with accumulation of carbon from the Earth's mantle. With an integrated approach using isotope geochemistry, soil activity measurements and multi-omics analyses, we demonstrate that high (nearly pure) CO 2 concentrations have strongly affected pathways of carbon production and decomposition and therefore carbon turnover. In particular, a promotion of dark CO 2 fixation significantly increased the input of geogenic carbon in the mofette when compared to a reference wetland soil exposed to normal levels of CO 2 . Radiocarbon analysis revealed that high quantities of mofette soil carbon originated from the assimilation of geogenic CO 2 (up to 67%) via plant primary production and subsurface CO 2 fixation. However, the preservation and accumulation of almost undegraded organic material appeared to be facilitated by the permanent exclusion of meso-to macroscopic eukaryotes and associated physical and/or ecological traits rather than an impaired biochemical potential for soil organic matter decomposition. Our study shows how CO 2 -induced changes in diversity and functions of the soil community can foster an unusual biogeochemical profile.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Altered carbon turnover processes and microbiomes in soils under long-term extremely high CO2 exposure

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, there is a lack of knowledge about the relationship between biochemical and thermal stability (reviewed by Plante et al, 2009). A recent study demonstrated that thermogravimetry (TG) can easily estimate the decomposition potential of leaf litter in upland soils (Rubino et al, 2007). Based on these data, we conclude a relationship between litter composition and microbial CO 2 formation as the proportion of thermal labile compounds and CO 2 respiration rates decreased during an 8-month incubation period.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 72%

“…Approximately 5 mg of each dried and milled peat sample (in two replicates) was analyzed by thermogravimetry (Mettler Toledo, TGA/SDTA 851e, Switzerland) (TG) (Pope and Judd, 1977). The mass loss at increasing temperatures (10.2 • C min −1 ) was measured under a continuous flow of argon from 60 to 850 • C followed by a final combustion under oxygen at 850 • C (Rubino et al, 2007). Pyrolysis under anoxic conditions was done first to estimate the amount of thermal labile compounds.…”

Section: Analytical Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Py-GC/MS is a powerful technique to distinguish between plant derived "biodegradable" and more "humified" compounds. Pyrolysis products like furanes and substituted phenols that derive from carbohydrates and lignin, respectively, indicate the presence of plant material whereas alkanes and unspecific pyrolysis products like benzol, phenol or naphthalene indicate highly humified organic material Rubino et al, 2007). Pyrolysis was carried out under helium for 9.9 s at 500 • C with a Curie point Pyrolyzer 0316 (Thermo Fisher, USA).…”

Section: Analytical Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In order to reliably estimate the potential greenhouse gas formation of peat in general, a parameter based on both the quality and quantity of bioavailable organic matter present in peat, which should in turn control CO 2 and CH 4 formation (Yavitt and Lang, 1990;Bridgham and Richardson, 1992;Valentine et al, 1994;Christensen et al, 2003;Reiche et al, 2008), may be required. However, there is currently no common definition or widely accepted quantitative index of "organic matter quality" that can be used to determine potential greenhouse gas emission (Rubino et al, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Effect of peat quality on microbial greenhouse gas formation in an acidic fen

2010

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract.Peatlands play an important role in the global carbon cycle and represent both an important stock of soil carbon and a substantial natural source of relevant greenhouse gases like CO 2 and CH 4 . While it is known that the quality of organic matter affects microbial degradation and mineralization processes in peatlands, the manner in which the quality of peat organic matter affects the formation of CO 2 and CH 4 remains unclear. In this study we developed a fast and simple peat quality index in order to estimate its potential greenhouse gas formation by linking the thermo-degradability of peat with potential anaerobic CO 2 and CH 4 formation rates. Peat samples were obtained at several depths (0-40 cm) at four sampling locations from an acidic fen (pH∼4.7). CO 2 and CH 4 formation rates were highly spatially variable and depended on depth, sampling location, and the composition of pyrolysable organic matter. Peat samples active in CO 2 and CH 4 formation had a quality index above 1.35, and the fraction of thermally labile pyrolyzable organic matter (comparable to easily available carbon substrates for microbial activity) obtained by thermogravimetry was above 35%. Curie-point pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry mainly identified carbohydrates and lignin as pyrolysis products in these samples, indicating that undecomposed organic matter was found in this fraction. In contrast, lipids and unspecific pyrolysis products, which indicate recalcitrant and highly decomposed organic matter, correlated significantly with lower CO 2 formation and reduced methanogenesis. Our results suggest that undecomposed organic matter is a prerequisite for CH 4 and CO 2 development in acidic fens. Furthermore, the new peat quality index should aide the estimation of potential greenhouse gas formation resulting from peatland restoration and permafrost thawing and help yield more robust models of trace gas fluxes from peatlands for climate change research.

show abstract

Root and dissolved organic carbon controls on subsurface soil carbon dynamics: A model approach

2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

[1] Although subsurface horizons store more than half the total soil organic carbon (SOC) globally, the sources and dynamics of subsurface SOC are still unknown. Root litter input and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) transport are possible sources. Using a vertically extended soil C model, we explore the role of root C input and DOC transport in controlling subsurface SOC dynamics. The model involves organic matter decomposition and DOC leaching in the aboveground litter layer, the belowground input of C from roots, and SOC turnover and DOC transport along water flows throughout the soil profile for three SOC pools (active, slow, and passive -characterized by a turnover time of years, decades, and millennia, respectively). Model simulations with a range of rooting profiles demonstrate that a large proportion (36% -78% -greater in deeper rooting profiles) of SOC is apportioned to the subsurface horizons (below the top 30 cm). A significant part (39% -73%) of subsurface SOC was found to be associated with C pools that turn over on time scales of decades or less. DOC transport appeared to be dominant in distributing the added C to the deeper soil layers, making the SOC content profile deeper than that of the root litter (C) input. The results suggest that current soil C studies focusing on the surface alone, significantly underestimate the stock of decadally cycling C, especially for deeply rooted ecosystems. Studies ignoring subsurface C dynamics therefore underpredict the responses of soil C to changes in climate, land use, and vegetation.Citation: Ota, M., H. Nagai, and J. Koarashi (2013), Root and dissolved organic carbon controls on subsurface soil carbon dynamics: A model approach,

show abstract

An isotopic method for testing the influence of leaf litter quality on carbon fluxes during decomposition

Cited by 26 publications

References 47 publications

Altered carbon turnover processes and microbiomes in soils under long-term extremely high CO2 exposure

Altered carbon turnover processes and microbiomes in soils under long-term extremely high CO2 exposure

Effect of peat quality on microbial greenhouse gas formation in an acidic fen

Root and dissolved organic carbon controls on subsurface soil carbon dynamics: A model approach

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About