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Usefulness of the carbon-13 tracer technique for characterizing terrestrial carbon pools

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Abstract

Application of the carbon-13 (13C) tracer technique to soil organic carbon emission is relatively new to many researchers and only a few results have been reported to date. This mini-review paper cites some well-documented research in organic carbon pool studies using the 13C tracer technique. The 13C abundance in soil usually remains at a stable level under a set of natural conditions. Variations in 13C reflect different sources and types of organic components from natural environments. An important feature of 13C discrimination in the soil C pool has permitted researchers to assess the dynamic nature of the pool. This discrimination may reflect a selective preference at early stage of residue decomposition by soil microbes. Crop rotation and residue input to humic substances can change the 13C abundance, which is a possible way to estimate soil C emission. However, the dynamic relationship between 13C abundance in the soil C pool and C emission is still in an early stage of development. Restrictions due to requirement of long-term experiments and duration of vegetation changes may affect its wide-spread adoptions in C emission studies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, University of Minnesota, USA

    R. Liu & H.H. Cheng

  2. Soil and Water Management Research Unit, USDA-ARS, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

    C.E. Clapp

Authors
  1. R. Liu
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  2. C.E. Clapp
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  3. H.H. Cheng
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Liu, R., Clapp, C. & Cheng, H. Usefulness of the carbon-13 tracer technique for characterizing terrestrial carbon pools. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 49, 261–266 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009783825283

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009783825283

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