Dynamics of soil organic carbon following land-use change:insights from stable C-isotope analysis in black soil of Northeast China

Intensive soil tillage is a significant factor in soil organic matter decline in cultivated soils. Both cultivation abandonment and foregoing tillage have been encouraged in the past 30 years to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and soil erosion. However, the dynamic processes of soil organic carbon (SOC) in areas of either continuous cultivation or abandonment remain unclear and inconsistent.Our aims were to assess and model the dynamic processes of SOC under continuous tillage and after cultivation abandonment in the black soil of Northeast China. Soil profiles were collected of cultivated or abandoned land with cultivation history of 0–100 years. An isotope mass balance equation was used to calculate the proportion of SOC derived from corn debris (C_4) and from natural vegetation (C_3) to deduce the dynamic process. Approximately 40% of SOC in the natural surface soil (0–10 cm) was eroded in the first 5 years of cultivation, increasing to about 75% within 40 years, before a slow recovery. C_4 above 30 cm soil depth increased by 4.5%–5% or 0.11–0.12 g·kg^(-1) on average per year under continuous cultivation, while it decreased by approximately 0.34% annually in the surface soil after cultivation abandonment.The increase in the percentage of C_4 was fitted to a linear equation with given intercepts in the upper 30 cm of soil in cultivated land. A significant relationship between the change of C_4 and time was found only in the surface soil after abandonment of cultivation. These results demonstrate the loss and accumulation of corn-derived SOC in surface black soil of Northeast China under continuous tillage or cultivation abandonment.

Detection of tyrosine,trace metals and nutrients in cow dung:the environmental significance in soil and water environments

This study examined the dissolved organic matter(DOM) components of cow dung using a combination of fluorescence(excitation–emission matrix,EEM)spectroscopy and parallel factor(PARAFAC) modelling along with eleven trace metals using ICP-MS and nutrients(NH_4^+ and NO_3^-) using an AA3 auto analyser. EEM–PARAFAC analysis demonstrated that cow dung predominantly contained only one fluorescent DOM component with two fluorescence peaks(Ex/Em=275/311 nm and Ex/Em=220/311 nm),which could be denoted as tyrosine by comparison with its standard. Occurrence of tyrosine can be further confirmed by the FTIR spectra. Trace metals analysis revealed that Na,K and Mg were significantly higher than Ca,Fe,Mn,Zn Sr,Cu,Ni and Co. The NH_4^+ concentrations were substantially higher than NO_3^-.These results thus indicate that the dissolved components of the cow dung could be useful for better understanding its future uses in various important purposes.

Boron isotope geochemistry of Zigetang Co saline lake sediments,Tibetan Plateau

The origin of boron in boron-rich salt lakes in the Tibetan Plateau is highly controversial.In this study,we carried out a detailed study on boron geochemistry and isotope composition of lake sediments collected in Zigetang Co,central Tibet.Evaporites had high boron concentrations of 172.3–418.6 lg/g and δ^(11)B values of-8.2%to-3.3%,suggesting a non-marine origin for the saline lake.The boron isotopic fractionation factor,a,between evaporite and brackish water(a_(evaporite–brackish))decreased systematically with depth,from 0.9942 at the top of the drill core to 0.9893 at the bottom;the linear variation between α_(evaporite–brackish)and depth reflects boron isotopic fractionation associated with progressive crystallization.The positive correlation between δ^(11)B versus[B]and δ^(11)B versus depth in the evaporite phase reflects pH and boron speciation in the solution control on the adsorption of boron,and B(OH)_3 species incorporated preferentially into Mg(OH)_2 precipitation at high pH.

Behavior of rare earth elements in granitic profiles, eastern Tibetan Plateau, China

Rare earth elements(REEs) can record geologic and geochemical processes. We studied two granitic regolith profiles from different climatic zones in eastern Tibetan Plateau and found that(1)∑ RREEs ranged from119.65 to 275.33 mg/kg in profile ND and5.11–474.55 mg/kg in profile GTC, with average values of205.79 and 161 mg/kg, respectively. ∑RREEs was higher in accumulation horizon and semi-regolith;(2) Influenced by climate, the fractionation of light and heavy REEs(LREEs and HREEs) varied during weathering. The ratio of LREEs/HREEs in pedosphere was higher than semi-regolith in tropical profile;(3) A negative Eu anomaly in both profiles was the result of bedrock weathering. A positive Ce anomaly was observed in all layers of profile ND, and only in the upper 100 cm of profile GTC. This indicates that redox conditions along the regolith profile varied considerably with climate.(4) Normalized by chondrite,LREEs accumulated much more than HREEs; REE distribution curves were right-leaning with a V-type Eu anomaly in both profiles.

Effects of topography and vegetation on distribution of rare earth elements in calcareous soils

This study investigated the impact of topography and vegetation on distribution of rare earth elements(REEs)in calcareous soils using methods of single extraction and mass balance calculation. The purposes of the study were to set a basis for further research on the biogeochemical REE cycle and to provide references for soil–water conservation and REE-containing fertilizer amendments. The results show a generally flat Post-Archean Average Australian Shale—normalized REE pattern for the studied calcareous soils. REE enrichment varied widely. The proportion of acidsoluble phases of heavy REEs was higher than that of light REEs. From top to bottom of the studied hills, dominant REE sources transitioned from limestone in-situ weathering to input from REE-containing phases(e.g., clay minerals,amorphous iron, REE-containing fluids). Our results indicate that the REE content of calcareous soils is mainly controlled by slope aspect, while the enrichment degree of REEs is related to geomorphological position and vegetation type.Furthermore, the proportion of acid-soluble phases of REEs is mainly controlled by geomorphological position.

Distribution of rare earth elements of granitic regolith under the influence of climate

The distribution and anomalies of rare earth elements(REEs) of granitic regolith were studied in Inner Mongolia and Hainan Island, China. One profile showed slight REE enrichment of an upper layer and no obvious light REE/heavy REE(LREE/HREE) fractionation(La_N/Yb_N of 0.9). The second profile was significantly enriched in REEs and enriched in LREEs in the upper portion(La_N/Yb_N>1.8). Eu, Ce, and Gd anomalies of the two profiles are different. Slightly negative Eu, Ce, and Gd anomalies in NMG-3-1 indicate slow dissolution of primary minerals and little secondary products; in contrast, a positive Eu anomaly in HN-2 suggests the vegetation cycle may contribute to soil. The Ce anomaly of HN-2 reflects oxidation of Ce and coprecipitation by Fe-and Mn-oxides and organic matter. Correlation between Ce and Gd anomalies in HN-2 suggests Ce and Gd are both influenced by redoxreduction.

Characteristics of CO_2 in unsaturated zone(～90 m) of loess tableland, Northwest China

In order to observe CO_2 characteristics in the unsaturated zone of loess tableland and further understand the carbon cycle,a series of tubes for gas monitoring and sampling were installed in an approximately 90-m deep Qiushe loess section of Lingtai County,Northwestern China.The results show that the concentration of CO_2 was higher in loess than in the atmosphere,reaching a maximum of 6970 lmol·mol^(-1).CO_2 concentrations in loess were higher in summer than in winter.The CO_2 in loess was related to organic carbon decomposed by microbes,and to the CaCO_3–H_2O–CO_2 system in the interface between the saturated and unsaturated zones.

Soil organic carbon dynamics study bias deduced from isotopic fractionation in corn plant

Carbon stable isotope techniques were extensively employed to trace the dynamics of soil organic carbon(SOC)across a land-use change involving a shift to vegetation with different photosynthetic pathways.Based on the isotopic mass balance equation,relative contributions of new versus old SOC,and SOC turnover rate in corn fields were evaluated world-wide.However,most previous research had not analyzed corn debris left in the field,instead using an average corn plant δ^(13)C value or a measured value to calculate the proportion of corn-derived SOC,either of which could bias results.This paper carried out a detailed analysis of isotopic fractionation in corn plants and deduced the maximum possible bias of SOC dynamics study.The results show approximately 3‰ isotopic fractionation from top to bottom of the corn leaf.The ^(13)C enrichment sequence in corn plant was tassel﹥stalk or cob﹥root﹥leaves.Individual parts accounting for the total dry mass of corn returned distinct values.Consequently,the average δ^(13)C value of corn does not represent the actual isotopic composition of corn debris.Furthermore,we deduced that the greater the fractionation in corn plant,the greater the possible bias.To alleviate bias of SOC dynamics study,we suggest two measures:analyze isotopic compositions and proportions of each part of the corn and determine which parts of the corn plant are left in the field and incorporated into SOC.

The influence of climate and topography on chemical weathering of granitic regoliths in the monsoon region of China

Exploring the relationship between weathering and erosion is essential for understanding the evolution of landscapes and formation of soil under the influence of climate, tectonics, and topography. We measured the bulk chemistry of regoliths and calculated their weathering rates and intensity in three locations in China: Inner Mongolia in the mid-temperate semi-humid zone; Jiangxi Province, in the mid-subtropical humid zone; and Hainan Province, in the tropical humid zone. These profiles exhibited increased weathering with increasing temperature and precipitation.The low-gradient profile exhibited stronger weathering of saprolite than of soil, whereas the high-gradient profile showed a more constant weathering pattern. The regolith in the cold climate was the product of easily weatherable minerals, whereas weathering of K-feldspar and even secondary minerals occurred in hot and humid climates. The weathering of subtropical profiles was both supply-and kinetic-limited, controlled by weathering and erosion. The tropical profile experienced supply-limited weathering,indicating slow erosion and an intense weathering profile;the mid-temperate profile was not classifiable due to weak erosion and weathering. Long-term weathering fluxes of these profiles show that Si, Na, and K(or Mg) represent thebulk of the mass lost through weathering. This study underscores that weathering of granitic regolith is controlled by both climatic conditions and landscape.

In-situ nitrogen fate in the vadose zone of different soil types and its implications for groundwater quality in the Huaihe River Basin,China

This paper focused on nitrate fate in the vadose zone(VZ)and its implications for groundwater vulnerability under different soil types in the agricultural area of Huaihe River Basin,China.Isotopic compositions of nitrate(δ15N andδ18O)along with NO3-and Cl-concentrations were determined in the VZ-shallow groundwater continuum beneath silty-loam and silty-clay-loam,which are distinctive in texture and organic carbon(OC).In the soil zone(<1 m in depth),measuredδ18O-NO3-suggested the ubiquitous of nitrification regardless of soil types.In the subsoil zone(>1 m in depth),however,the concurrent enrichment ofδ15N-NO3-andδ18O-NO3-indicated the occurrence of denitrification,which showed a dependence on subsoil properties.Specifically,during wheat and maize land uses,denitrification removed as much as 76%-88%of the total nitrate where the subsoil was dominated by stratified OC-rich silty-clay-loam.In contrast,only 0%-28%of the nitrate was degraded via denitrification where the subsoil was composed of uniform,OC-depleted silty-loam.Furthermore,inactive denitrification and higher permeability in the silty-loam VZ implied higher groundwater vulnerability.This observation was consistent with the fact that groundwater NO3--N concentration beneath silty-loam(11.24 mg L-1)was over two times higher than that of the silty-clay-loam(5.32 mg L-1),where stricter fertilization management and conservation strategies should be applied to protect groundwater quality.