Open AccessSolid‐phase organic matter reduction regulates anaerobic decomposition in bog soil
Author(s) -
Keller Jason K.,
Takagi Kimberly K.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
ecosphere
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.255
H-Index - 57
ISSN - 2150-8925
DOI - 10.1890/es12-00382.1
Subject(s) - peat , bog , organic matter , mineralization (soil science) , environmental chemistry , soil water , environmental science , methane , soil organic matter , methanogenesis , soil carbon , decomposition , carbon dioxide , chemistry , carbon fibers , carbon cycle , soil science , ecology , ecosystem , biology , materials science , organic chemistry , composite number , composite material
Peatlands store globally significant amounts of carbon and are important sources of the greenhouse gas methane (CH 4 ) to the atmosphere. However, for reasons which are not well understood, many peatland soils produce smaller amounts of CH 4 than theoretically predicted, and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) produced during anaerobic decomposition in peatland soils cannot be accounted for by commonly measured microbial processes. Here we show that the reduction of solid‐phase organic matter (i.e., humic substances) suppresses CH 4 production in a bog soil and can be responsible for 33–61% of the total carbon mineralization in this soil. These results demonstrate that the reduction of organic matter is a key component of anaerobic decomposition in peatlands, and is at least partially responsible for their low CH 4 production. Thus, organic matter reduction may be a key regulator of how peatlands respond to ongoing global change.