Converting loss-on-ignition to organic carbon content in arable topsoil: pitfalls and proposed procedure

Assessments of changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks depend heavily on reliable values of SOC content obtained by automated high-temperature C analysers. However, historical as well as current research often relies on indirect SOC estimates such as loss-on-ignition (LOI). In this study, we revisit the conversion of LOI to SOC using soil from two long-term agricultural field experiments and one arable field with different contents of SOC, clay and particles <20m (Fines20). Clay-, silt- and sand-sized fractions were isolated from the arable soil. Samples were analysed for texture, LOI (500 degrees C for 4hours) and SOC by dry combustion. For a topsoil with 2gC and 30g clay 100g(-1) soil, converting LOI to SOC by the conventional factor 0.58 overestimated the SOC stock by 45MgCha(-1). The error increased with increasing contents of clay and Fines20. Converting LOI to SOC by a regression model underestimated the SOC stock by 5MgCha(-1) at small clay and Fines20 contents and overestimated the SOC stock by 8MgCha(-1) at large contents. This was due to losses of structural water from clay minerals. The best model to convert LOI to SOC incorporated clay content. Evaluating this model against an independent dataset gave a root mean square error and mean error of 0.295 and 0.125gC100g(-1), respectively. To avoid misleading accounts of SOC stocks in agricultural soils, we recommend re-analysis of archived soil samples for SOC using high-temperature dry combustion methods. Where archived samples are not available, accounting for clay content improves conversion of LOI to SOC considerably. The use of the conventional conversion factor 0.58 is antiquated and provides misleading estimates of SOC stocks.