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A multiisotope C and N modeling analysis of soil organic matter turnover and transport as a function of soil depth in a California annual grassland soil chronosequence
Author(s) -
Baisden W. T.,
Amundson R.,
Brenner D. L.,
Cook A. C.,
Kendall C.,
Harden J. W.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
global biogeochemical cycles
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.512
H-Index - 187
eISSN - 1944-9224
pISSN - 0886-6236
DOI - 10.1029/2001gb001823
Subject(s) - chronosequence , soil water , biogeochemistry , environmental science , soil organic matter , grassland , hydrology (agriculture) , organic matter , soil science , agronomy , ecology , geology , biology , geotechnical engineering
We examine soil organic matter (SOM) turnover and transport using C and N isotopes in soil profiles sampled circa 1949, 1978, and 1998 (a period spanning pulse thermonuclear 14 C enrichment of the atmosphere) along a 3‐million‐year annual grassland soil chronosequence. Temporal differences in soil Δ 14 C profiles indicate that inputs of recently living organic matter (OM) occur primarily in the upper 20–30 cm but suggest that OM inputs can occur below the primary rooting zone. A three‐pool SOM model with downward transport captures most observed variation in Δ 14 C, percentages of C and N, δ 13 C, and δ 15 N, supporting the commonly accepted concept of three distinct SOM pools. The model suggests that the importance of the decadal SOM pool in N dynamics is greatest in young and old soils. Altered hydrology and possibly low pH and/or P dynamics in highly developed old soils cause changes in soil C and N turnover and transport of importance for soil biogeochemistry models.