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Linkages between phosphorus transformations and carbon decomposition in a forest soil

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Abstract

Phosphorus mineralization is chemically coupled with organic matter (OM) decomposition in surface horizons of a mixed-conifer forest soil from the Sierra Nevada, California, and is also affected by the disturbance caused by forest harvesting. Solution13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of NaOH extracts revealed a decrease of O-alkyl and alkyl-C fractions with increasing degree of decomposition and depth in the soil profile, while carbonyl and aromatic C increased. Solid-state13C-NMR analysis of whole soil samples showed similar trends, except that alkyl C increased with depth. Solution31P-NMR indicated that inorganic P (P1) increased with increasing depth, while organic-P (Po) fractions decreased. Close relationships between P mineralization and litter decomposition were suggested by correlations between P1 and C fractions (r = 0.82, 0.81, −0.87, and −0.76 for carbonyl, aromatic, alkyl and O-alkyl fractions, respectively). Correlations for diester-P and pyrophosphate with O-alkyl (r = 0.63 and 0.84) and inverse correlations with aromatics (r = −0.74 and −0.72) suggest that mineralization of these P fractions coincides with availability of C substrate. A correlation between monoester P and alkyl C (r = 0.63) suggests mineralization is linked to breakdown of structural components of the plant litter. NMR analyses, combined with Hedley-P fractionation, suggest that post-harvest buildup of labile P in decomposed litter increases the potential for leaching of P during the first post-harvest season, but also indicates reduced biological activity that transports P from litter to the mineral soil. Thus, P is temporarily stored in decomposed litter, preventing its fixation by mineral oxides. In the mineral horizons,31P-NMR provides evidence of decline in biologically-available P during the first post-harvest season.

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Abbreviations

ESR:

electron spin resonance spectroscopy

OM:

organic matter

NMR:

nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Pi :

inorganic P

Po :

organic P

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Ecosystem Sciences, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, 151 Hilgard Hall, Berkeley, 94720, CA, USA

    Noam Gressel & John G. McColl

  2. Pacific Forestry Centre, Natural Resources Canada, 506 West Burnside Rd., Victoria, BC V8Z 1M5, Canada

    Caroline M. Preston

  3. Industrial Research Limited, P.O. Box 31-310, Lower Hutt, New Zealand

    Roger H. Newman

  4. Pacific Southwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service, 2400 Washington Ave., Redding, CA, 96001, USA

    Robert F. Powers

Authors
  1. Noam Gressel
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  2. John G. McColl
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  3. Caroline M. Preston
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  4. Roger H. Newman
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  5. Robert F. Powers
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Gressel, N., McColl, J.G., Preston, C.M. et al. Linkages between phosphorus transformations and carbon decomposition in a forest soil. Biogeochemistry 33, 97–123 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02181034

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