Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shuling Chen, Thimo Klotzbuecher, Oliver J. Lechtenfeld, Hanlie Hong, Chongxuan Liu, Klaus Kaiser, Christian Mikutta, Robert Mikutta
Summary: The study found that repeated sorption of identical DOM solutions led to a stabilization in MOM formation efficiency, while depletion of high-affinity compounds further decreased MOM formation efficiency. Although continued exchange between DOM and MOM molecules altered the composition of DOM, it did not impact MOM formation efficiencies. The interactions between the sorptivities of DOM components and mineral surface chemistry explain the legacy effects that regulate fluxes and distribution of organic matter in the soil.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Chengzhu Liu, Simin Wang, Yunpeng Zhao, Ya Wang, Yiyun Wang, Erxiong Zhu, Juan Jia, Zongguang Liu, Jin-Sheng He, Xiaojuan Feng
Summary: This study investigates the response of mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) to drainage in wetlands and explores the driving mechanisms. The findings reveal that MAOC constitutes a significant fraction of wetland SOC and is positively correlated with microbial sugars but negatively correlated with Fe-bound lignin. Additionally, the increase of mineral-bound sugars is related to clay and reactive aluminum, rather than Fe. These results highlight the important role of microbial processes in wetland MAOC accrual during long-term drainage.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Guohua Dai, Shanshan Zhu, Yue Cai, Erxiong Zhu, Yufu Jia, Chengjun Ji, Zhiyao Tang, Jingyun Fang, Xiaojuan Feng
Summary: Plant and microbial residues are the main sources of soil organic carbon (SOC). This study found that forests have lower microbial necromass in SOC compared to grasslands, indicating a higher contribution of plant-derived components to forest SOC. Plant-derived lignin phenols do not play a major role in SOC accumulation, while leaf- and root-derived hydrolysable lipids make up a higher proportion of SOC in forests. Soil pH, reactive iron and aluminum contents, and lignin oxidation are factors that influence the accumulation of plant lipids and SOC in forest soils.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Andrea Jilling, Marco Keiluweit, Jessica L. M. Gutknecht, A. Stuart Grandy
Summary: Root exudates influence the stability of mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) in soil, causing carbon and nitrogen release through direct and indirect pathways, which significantly impact nutrient availability for microbes and plants.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Yuqi Wei, Yingjun Zhang, Gail W. T. Wilson, Yafen Guo, Yixian Bi, Xue Xiong, Nan Liu
Summary: It was found in this study that trampling increased the transfer of litter C to the SOC pool, enhancing SOC formation, without inducing significant positive priming effects. This indicates that trampling plays an important role in SOC formation and stabilization, efficiently transferring litter C into the SOC pool.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Junfei Lv, Jia Shi, Zi Wang, Yumei Peng, Xiang Wang
Summary: The effects of erosion and deposition on SOC pools and OC-mineral interactions were investigated in an agricultural Mollisol landscape. Results showed that deposition promoted OC interactions with minerals and increased the stability of SOC. Depositional sites had the highest capacity for OC sequestration, indicating their importance in stabilizing soil OC.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bin Niu, Qiuyu Chen, Hongzhe Jiao, Xiaoqin Yang, Ming Shao, Jian Wang, Guicai Si, Tianzhu Lei, Yibo Yang, Gengxin Zhang, Georg Guggenberger
Summary: Mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) is the largest soil carbon pool, but the understanding of different organo-mineral fractions and their response to environmental variables is limited. In this study, sequential chemical extraction was used to separate MAOM fractions and alpine forest soils were selected to assess their response to climate change. Residual and weakly adsorbed organic matter were the primary fractions, and climate indirectly affected their preservation through weathering and environmental factors. The organo-mineral fractions were closely associated with metal cations and secondary minerals, forming complex networks. Water-soluble, weakly adsorbed, and Fe/Al oxyhydroxide-stabilized organic matter played central roles in the networks and were related to soil pH, moisture, and microbial composition. Additionally, climate and weathering factors greatly impacted Fe/Al-OM complexes, oxyhydroxide-stabilized organic matter, and residual organic matter. The complex network among organo-mineral fractions provides insights into MAOM preservation under climate change.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Peng Qi, Ji Chen, Xiaojiao Wang, Renzhi Zhang, Liqun Cai, Yapeng Jiao, Zhiqiang Li, Guojun Han
Summary: Based on a meta-analysis of 50 studies on terrestrial ecosystems in China, this study investigated the responses of SOC, POC, and MAOC to N addition and the factors influencing POC and MAOC. The results showed that organic N addition significantly increased SOC, POC, and MAOC concentrations, while inorganic N addition only increased SOC and POC concentrations. POC and MAOC concentrations increased with fertilization duration, but the physical stability of SOC remained unchanged. The main factors affecting POC and MAOC were microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and soil pH, and the driving factors of POC and MAOC were different under inorganic and organic N additions.
Review
Soil Science
Gerrit Angst, Kevin E. Mueller, Klaas G. J. Nierop, Myrna J. Simpson
Summary: This study synthesized data on the contribution of plant- and microbial-derived compounds to stabilized SOM, indicating different proportions of contribution between plant and microbial compounds in different ecosystems. Plant biomolecules were found to play a significant role in stabilizing organic matter.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Zhichao Zou, Lixiao Ma, Xiao Wang, Ruirui Chen, Davey L. Jones, Roland Bol, Di Wu, Zhangliu Du
Summary: The extent to which long-term application of mineral fertilizers regulates the quantity, quality, and stability of soil organic matter remains unclear. The study investigated the effects of 10-year fertilization on the molecular composition, decomposition, and origins of soil organic matter in a cropland in North China. Fertilization increased soil organic carbon in the mineral-associated organic matter fraction but had limited effect on bulk soil organic carbon levels, and altered the composition and origins of soil organic matter.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Xiangrong Cheng, Wenli Xing, Jiangwei Liu
Summary: Plant litter quality affects C accrual in soil organic matter. This study found that high-quality litter (leaves) increased mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM)-C accrual, while low-quality litter (roots and grasses) contributed more to particulate organic matter (POM)-C accrual. Mixed litter addition resulted in higher levels of POM-C accumulation compared to single litter input, highlighting the importance of litter diversity in carbon accumulation.
BIOLOGY AND FERTILITY OF SOILS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Wolfram Buss, Heath Hasemer, Scott Ferguson, Justin Borevitz
Summary: The application of calcium- and magnesium-rich silicates in soil can capture and store carbon dioxide while also stabilizing soil organic matter. This study found that adding finely ground silicate rock mining residues to soil increased soil pH, inorganic carbon content, and soil-exchangeable calcium and magnesium. Furthermore, it increased mineral-associated organic matter by supplying secondary minerals and associated sites for organic matter sorption. However, the effect of silicate rock on microaggregates and carbon within was counteracted by the presence of plants, which decreased soil-exchangeable magnesium and calcium contents.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Yunfei Li, Xue Zhang, Bingyao Wang, Xudong Wu, Zhanjun Wang, Lichao Liu, Haotian Yang
Summary: Through our study in the Tengger Desert, we found that the content of soil organic carbon (SOC) significantly increases with site age, and revegetation improves the stability of SOC. At the oldest site, the levels of mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) increased significantly, with an increase in the percentage of MAOC and a decrease in the percentage of POC.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tao Sun, Xiali Mao, Kefeng Han, Xiangjie Wang, Qi Cheng, Xiu Liu, Jingjie Zhou, Qingxu Ma, Zhihua Ni, Lianghuan Wu
Summary: Nitrogen addition has significant impacts on aboveground and belowground processes, affecting plant productivity, microbial activity, and soil properties, which in turn alters the fate of soil organic carbon (SOC). However, the effects of nitrogen addition on different SOC fractions and the underlying mechanisms are still unclear.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Bo Yi, Chaoqun Lu, Wenjuan Huang, Wenjuan Yu, Jihoon Yang, Adina Howe, Samantha R. Weintraub-Leff, Steven J. Hall
Summary: Confidence in model estimates of soil CO2 flux relies on assumptions about fundamental mechanisms controlling litter and soil organic carbon decomposition. We used data-model fusion with modified versions of the CN-SIM model and a 571-day laboratory incubation dataset to test competing mechanisms for lignin decomposition. Our findings indicate that the role of lignin and its decomposition can be accurately estimated by considering soil biogeochemical factors, substrate availability, soil pH, extractable Mn, and fungal community composition.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wenjuan Yu, Samantha R. Weintraub, Steven J. Hall
Summary: The study found that both climate and geochemical factors play important roles in predicting SOC concentrations, especially in the generalized additive mixed model and random forest model; relationships between water availability and SOC were strongest in very dry ecosystems; and the study challenges the notion that climate is redundant after accounting for geochemistry, demonstrating that considering their nonlinearities and interactions improves spatial predictions of SOC.
GLOBAL BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Holly J. Curtinrich, Stephen D. Sebestyen, Natalie A. Griffiths, Steven J. Hall
Summary: Iron plays a crucial role in stabilizing carbon, phosphorus, and nutrient cations in terrestrial-aquatic interfaces and potentially releasing them through redox cycling. The impact of Fe redox cycling on carbon and nutrient dynamics is significant in peatlands, and warmer temperatures can promote the release of carbon and nutrients in these ecosystems.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jingwen Chen, Yuanliu Hu, Steven J. Hall, Dafeng Hui, Jianling Li, Guoyin Chen, Lianwei Sun, Deqiang Zhang, Qi Deng
Summary: Atmospheric acid deposition can affect the protection of carbon in soil by altering organo-mineral interactions. This study examined the impacts of acidification on organo-mineral interactions and soil carbon sequestration in naturally acidic tropical soils with a high content of reactive iron phases. The results showed that soil acidification increased the leaching of base cations and changed the solubility and composition of iron and aluminum phases. These changes led to an increase in iron-bound carbon and a decrease in calcium-bound carbon. The findings highlight the importance of pH-sensitive geochemical changes and the key roles of iron in regulating the response of soil organic carbon to acid deposition.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chenglong Ye, Wenjuan Huang, Steven J. Hall, Shuijin Hu
Summary: Soil pH is the primary factor controlling the abundance of Fe-associated C globally, mainly by influencing the binding of C with Fe minerals. Fe-associated C shows a significant increase when soil pH decreases from 4.2 to 3.5, while the change is small when pH > 4.2.
GLOBAL BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Steven J. Hall, Aaron Thompson
Summary: Aluminum and iron minerals, especially short-range-ordered phases, are believed to protect soil organic C. However, it is challenging to assess the influence of these minerals or metal complexes. Through analyzing a large soil dataset, it was found that aluminum dissolved by oxalate showed a strong relationship with soil organic C, while iron dissolved by oxalate or citrate-dithionite showed weaker correlation. The results suggest that aluminum-organic carbon complexes may be the best predictor of soil organic C.
SOIL SCIENCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Kaitlyn G. Holden, Ashley R. Hedrick, Eric J. Gangloff, Steven J. Hall, Anne M. Bronikowski
Summary: The study demonstrates that metabolic rates at different levels of biological organization are temperature-dependent, showing an increase in cellular and whole-animal respiration rates with temperature. However, there is no correlation between these rates within or among individuals, suggesting that variations in whole-animal metabolic rates are not solely due to cellular level changes, but rather other interacting factors across scales of biological organization. Additionally, while temperature did not affect fuel selection during fasting, it did influence metabolic rates, with a consistent use of a single fuel source to support metabolism across a range of demands.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART A-ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Wenjuan Yu, Steven J. Hall, Haoyan Hu, Somak Dutta, Quanxin Miao, Jiaojiao Wang, Hongzhang Kang
Summary: Microbial responses to nitrogen enrichment under chronic ambient N deposition conditions are not well studied in subtropical forests. This study found that nitrogen enrichment may lead to increased phosphorus limitation in subtropical ecosystems, and the cooperation and competition between bacteria and fungi tend to weaken under nutrient-rich conditions. Additionally, ammonium and nitrate were significantly related to overall microbial community composition and other microbial groups involved in litter decomposition and N cycling.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Steven J. Hall, Wenjuan Huang, Stephanie A. Napieralski, Eric Roden
Summary: Periodic oxygen limitation in humid terrestrial soils likely influences microbial composition, but whether communities share similar responses in disparate environments remains unclear. This study found that specific microbial taxa have consistent responses to anoxia, but the responses differ between different soils.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Wenjuan Yu, Wenjuan Huang, Samantha R. Weintraub-Leff, Steven J. Hall
Summary: This study analyzes the elemental, isotopic, and chemical composition of particulate organic matter (POM) and mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) in soil samples from diverse ecosystems in North America. The findings suggest that POM and MAOM often show similar characteristics and that MAOM may contribute significantly to short-term soil carbon decomposition. Additionally, the geochemical composition of the soil and the climate and ecosystem type can predict differences between POM and MAOM.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wenjuan Huang, Anthony J. J. Mirabito, Carlos G. G. Tenesaca, William F. F. Mejia-Garcia, Nathaniel C. C. Lawrence, Andy L. VanLoocke, Amy L. Kaleita, Steven J. J. Hall
Summary: Many agricultural soils with poor drainage may intermittently pond water even with artificial drainage infrastructure, especially in topographic depressions. The study investigates the relationship between temporary ponding and soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation, finding that only carbonate C, not SOC, increases in depressions with poor drainage. The negative relationship between ponding duration and SOC suggests the suppression of decomposition in periodically anoxic soil. The accumulation of SOC in agricultural depressions is more likely due to erosion than temporary ponding.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Steven J. Hall, Carlos G. Tenesaca, Nathaniel C. Lawrence, David I. S. Green, Matthew J. Helmers, William G. Crumpton, Emily A. Heaton, Andy VanLoocke
Summary: Much of the US Corn Belt has been drained with subsurface tile to improve crop production, yet poorly drained depressions often still flood intermittently, suppressing crop growth. Leaching of nitrogen (N) and P was greater in depressions than in uplands for most transects and years. Cropped depressions may be disproportionate sources of N and P to downstream waters despite their generally poor drainage characteristics, and targeted management with cover crops or perennials might partially mitigate these impacts for N, but not necessarily for P.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wenjuan Huang, Wenjuan Yu, Bo Yi, Erik Raman, Jihoon Yang, Kenneth E. Hammel, Vitaliy I. Timokhin, Chaoqun Lu, Adina Howe, Samantha R. Weintraub-Leff, Steven J. Hall
Summary: The contribution of lignin to soil organic carbon (SOC) is controversial. The authors find that lignin and SOC decomposition are decoupled and have contrasting relationships with geochemical and microbial factors, addressing a long-standing controversy. Lignin, an abundant and complex plant polymer, may limit litter decomposition, but it is sometimes a minor component of SOC. Accounting for soil diversity may reconcile this apparent contradiction.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Samantha R. Weintraub-Leff, Steven J. Hall, Matthew E. Craig, Debjani Sihi, Zhuonan Wang, Stephen C. Hart
Summary: Nitrogen (N) is a crucial nutrient in terrestrial ecosystems, but predicting and modeling soil N cycling remains challenging due to gaps in sampling. In this study, a publicly available data set collected by NEON is introduced, which can help fill these gaps. The study evaluated the data and found wide spatiotemporal variation in inorganic N pool sizes and transformation rates. The observed data did not match the simulated data, highlighting the need for improved predictive modeling.
Article
Soil Science
Matthew Leeford, Manpreet Singh Mavi, Daniel Liptzin, Steven J. Hall
Summary: This study examined the impact of different soil drying temperatures on water-extractable organic carbon (WEOC) and soil CO2 emissions after rewetting. The results showed that the drying temperature had a nonlinear effect on WEOC and CO2 emissions, and the response varied among soil samples and vegetation types. Therefore, soil health assessments conducted with different drying temperatures may not be directly comparable, and drying at lower temperatures may be preferable to avoid increasing carbon availability.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Bo Yi, Chaoqun Lu, Wenjuan Huang, Wenjuan Yu, Jihoon Yang, Adina Howe, Samantha R. Weintraub-Leff, Steven J. Hall
Summary: Confidence in model estimates of soil CO2 flux relies on assumptions about fundamental mechanisms controlling litter and soil organic carbon decomposition. We used data-model fusion with modified versions of the CN-SIM model and a 571-day laboratory incubation dataset to test competing mechanisms for lignin decomposition. Our findings indicate that the role of lignin and its decomposition can be accurately estimated by considering soil biogeochemical factors, substrate availability, soil pH, extractable Mn, and fungal community composition.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
