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Exposure to Light Elicits a Spectrum of Chemical Changes in Soil
Author(s) -
Doane Timothy A.,
Silva Lucas C.R.,
Horwath William R.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: earth surface
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-9011
pISSN - 2169-9003
DOI - 10.1029/2019jf005069
Subject(s) - sunlight , soil water , earth (classical element) , manganese , sorption , environmental chemistry , chemistry , earth science , nitrogen , environmental science , mineralogy , soil science , geology , adsorption , organic chemistry , physics , astronomy , mathematical physics
The significance of photochemically active solar radiation is well substantiated in Earth's air and water environments, but no broad connection has yet been ascertained between sunlight and the chemical properties of land surfaces. Since it is obvious that sunlight strikes Earth every day, an inquiry into this connection was made in a simple experiment with a diverse group of 20 soils. Light‐induced alteration of most of the major elements in soil was evident, including significant changes in dissolved organic carbon, inorganic nitrogen, pH, phosphorus availability and sorption capacity, and soluble and mineral forms of iron, manganese, aluminum, silicon, and calcium. In many instances the extent of these changes could be predicted from initial values. This broad response to light attests to the vivid photochemistry of soils and has both pedological and edaphological implications that reach beyond the surface. The phenomena reported here affirm the opportunity for novel inquiries into the chemistry of soils and land surfaces in general.