Key Physical Factors Affecting Spatial-temporal Variation of Labile Organic Carbon Fractions by Biochar Driven in Mollisols Region of Northeast China

Biochar is widely used to improve soil physical properties and carbon sequestration. However, few studies focuse on the impact of maize stalk biochar on labile organic carbon(LOC) pool and the relationship between physical properties and LOC fractions. A field positioning experiment was performed in Mollisols region of Northeast China to evaluate the influence of maize stalk biochar on the spatial distribution and temporal changes of physical properties and LOC fractions. Maize stalk biochar treatments included C1(1.5 kg·hm^(-2)), C2(3 kg·hm^(-2)), C3(15 kg·hm^(-2)), C4(30 kg·hm^(-2)), and CK(0). The results showed that maize stalk biochar increased soil water contents(SWC) and soil porosity(SP), but reduced bulk density(BD). Maize stalk biochar reduced dissolved organic carbon(DOC) contents in the 0-20 cm soil layer, ranging from 0.25 g·kg^(-1) to 0.31 g·kg^(-1) in harvest period, while increased in the 20-40 cm soil layer. In addition, the application of biochar had a significant impact on the spatial distribution and temporal change of SWC, BD, SP, DOC, hot-water extractable carbon(HWC), acid hydrolyzed organic carbon(AHC Ⅰ, Ⅱ), and readily oxidized organic carbon(ROC). High amounts of maize stalk biochar up-regulated the contents of soil organic carbon SOC, HWC, AHC Ⅰ, AHC Ⅱ, and ROC. In addition, SWC and SP were the key physical factors to affect LOC fractions. In conclusions, maize stalk biochar could improve physical properties, and then influence LOC fractions, and maize stalk biochar could be used as an organic amendment for restoring degraded soils governed by their rates of addition.

Effects of Land Management Practices on Labile Organic Carbon Fractions in Rice Cultivation

A research trial with four land management practices, i.e., traditional tillage-fallow (TTF), traditional tillage-wheat (TTW), conservation tillage-fallow (CTF) and conservation tillage-wheat (CTW), was sampled in the 15th year after its establishment to assess the effects of different management practices on labile organic carbon fractions (LOCFs), such as easily oxidizable organic carbon (EOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), particulate organic carbon (POC) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) in a typical paddy soil, Chongqing, Southwest China. The results indicated that LOCFs were significantly influenced by the combination of no-tillage, ridge culture and crop rotation. And, different combination patterns showed different effectiveness on soil LOCFs. The effects of no-tillage, ridge culture and wheat cultivation on EOC, DOC, POC and MBC mainly happened at 0-10cm. At this depth, soil under CTW had higher EOC, DOC, POC and MBC contents, compared to TTF, TTW and CTF, respectively. Moreover, the contents of LOCFs for different practices generally decreased when the soil depth increased. Our findings suggest that the paddy soil in Southwest China could be managed to concentrate greater quantities of EOC, DOC, POC and MBC.

Corn straw return can increase labile soil organic carbon fractions and improve water-stable aggregates in Haplic Cambisol

Corn straw return to the field is a vital agronomic practice for increasing soil organic carbon(SOC)and its labile fractions,as well as soil aggregates and organic carbon(OC)associated with water-stable aggregates(WSA).Moreover,the labile SOC fractions play an important role in OC turnover and sequestration.The aims of this study were to determine how different corn straw returning modes affect the contents of labile SOC fractions and OC associated with WSA.Corn straw was returned in the following depths:(1)on undisturbed soil surface(NTS),(2)in the 0–10 cm soil depth(MTS),(3)in the 0–20 cm soil depth(CTS),and(4)no corn straw applied(CK).After five years(2014–2018),soil was sampled in the 0–20 and 20–40 cm depths to measure the water-extractable organic C(WEOC),permanganate oxidizable C(KMnO4-C),light fraction organic C(LFOC),and WSA fractions.The results showed that compared with CK,corn straw amended soils(NTS,MTS and CTS)increased SOC content by 11.55%–16.58%,WEOC by 41.38%–51.42%,KMnO4-C and LFOC by 29.84%–34.09%and 56.68%–65.36%in the 0–40 cm soil depth.The LFOC and KMnO4-C were proved to be the most sensitive fractions to different corn straw returning modes.Compared with CK,soils amended with corn straw increased mean weight diameter by 24.24%–40.48%in the 0–20 cm soil depth.The NTS and MTS preserved more than 60.00%of OC in macro-aggregates compared with CK.No significant difference was found in corn yield across all corn straw returning modes throughout the study period,indicating that adoption of NTS and MTS would increase SOC content and improve soil structure,and would not decline crop production.

Effects of long-term fertilization on oxidizable organic carbon fractions on the Loess Plateau,China

The effects of long-term fertilization on pools of soil organic carbon （SOC） have been well studied, but limited information is available on the oxidizable organic carbon （OOC） fractions, especially for the Loess Plateau in China. We evaluated the effects of a 15-year fertilization on the OOC fractions （F1, F2, F3 and F4） in the 0-20 and 20-40 cm soil layers in flat farmland under nine treatments （N （nitrogen, urea）, P （phosphorus, monocalcium phosphate）, M （organic fertilizer, composted sheep manure）, N＋P （NP）, M＋N （MN）, M＋P （MP）, M＋N＋P （MNP）, CK （control, no fertilizer） and bare land （BL, no crops or fertilizer））. SOC content increased more markedly in the treatment containing manure than in those with inorganic fertilizers alone. F1, F2, F4 and F3 accounted for 47%, 27%, 18% and 8% of total organic carbon, respectively. F1 was a more sensitive index than the other C fractions in the sensitivity index （SI） analysis. F1 and F2 were highly correlated with total nitrogen （TN） and available nitrogen （AN）, F3 was negatively correlated with pH and F4 was correlated with TN. A cluster analysis showed that the treatments containing manure formed one group, and the other treatments formed another group, which indicated the different effects of fertilization on soil properties. Long-term fertilization with inorganic fertilizer increased the F4 fraction while manure fertilizer not only increased labile fractions （F1） in a short time, but also increased passive fraction （F4） over a longer term. The mixed fertilizer mainly affected F3 fraction. The study demonstrated that manure fertilizer was recommended to use in the farmland on the Loess Plateau for the long-term sustainability of agriculture.

Differential Responses of Soil Organic Carbon Fractions and Carbon Turnover Related Enzyme Activities to Wheat Straw Incorporation in Subtropical China

Soil organic carbon(SOC)fractions and C turnover related enzyme activities are essential for nutrient cycling.This is because they are regarded as important indicators of soil fertility and quality.We measured the effects of wheat straw incorporation on SOC fractions and C turnover related enzyme activities in a paddy field in subtropical China.Soil samples were collected from 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm depths after rice harvesting.The total SOC concentrations were higher in the high rate of wheat straw incorporation treatment(NPKS2)than in the not fertilized control(CK)(P<0.05).The concentrations of labile C fractions[i.e.,water soluble organic C(WSOC),hot-water soluble organic C(HWSOC),microbial biomass C(MBC),and easily oxidizable C(EOC)],were higher in the moderate NPKS1 and NPKS2 treatments than in CK and the fertilized treatment without straw(NPK)(P<0.05).The geometric means of labile C(GMC)and C pool management index(CPMI)values were highest in NPKS2(P<0.05).The SOC concentrations correlated positively with the labile C fractions(P<0.05).Soil cellulase activity and the geometric mean of enzyme activities(GMea)were higher in NPKS2 than in CK in all soil layers(P<0.05),and the invertase activity was higher in NPKS2 than in CK in the 0-10 cm layer(P<0.05).Stepwise multiple linear regression indicated that the formation of the SOC,WSOC,HWSOC,MBC,and EOC was mostly enhanced by the cellulase and invertase activities(P<0.05).Therefore,the high rate of wheat straw incorporation may be recommended to increase soil C pool levels and soil fertility in subtropical paddy soils.

Effects of Caragana microphylla plantations on organic carbon sequestration in total and labile soil organic carbon fractions in the Horqin Sandy Land, northern China

Afforestation is conducive to soil carbon（C） sequestration in semi-arid regions. However, little is known about the effects of afforestation on sequestrations of total and labile soil organic carbon（SOC） fractions in semi-arid sandy lands. In the present study, we examined the effects of Caragana microphylla Lam. plantations with different ages（12-and 25-year-old） on sequestrations of total SOC as well as labile SOC fractions such as light fraction organic carbon（LFOC） and microbial biomass carbon（MBC）. The analyzed samples were taken from soil depths of 0–5 and 5–15 cm under two shrub-related scenarios： under shrubs and between shrubs with moving sand dunes as control sites in the Horqin Sandy Land of northern China. The results showed that the concentrations and storages of total SOC at soil depths of 0–5 and 5–15 cm were higher in 12-and 25-year-old C. microphylla plantations than in moving sand dunes（i.e., control sites）, with the highest value observed under shrubs in 25-year-old C. microphylla plantations. Furthermore, the concentrations and storages of LFOC and MBC showed similar patterns with those of total SOC at the same soil depth. The 12-year-old C. microphylla plantations had higher percentages of LFOC concentration to SOC concentration and MBC concentration to SOC concentration than the 25-year-old C. microphylla plantations and moving sand dunes at both soil depths. A significant positive correlation existed among SOC, LFOC, and MBC, implying that restoring the total and labile SOC fractions is possible by afforestation with C. microphylla shrubs in the Horqin Sandy Land. At soil depth of 0–15 cm, the accumulation rate of total SOC under shrubs was higher in young C. microphylla plantations（18.53 g C/（m^2·a）; 0–12 years） than in old C. microphylla plantations（16.24 g C/（m^2·a）; 12–25 years）, and the accumulation rates of LFOC and MBC under shrubs and between shrubs were also higher in young C. microphylla plantations than in old C. microphylla plantations. It can be concluded that the establishment of C. microphylla in the Horqin Sandy Land may be a good mitigation strategy for SOC sequestration in the surface soils.

Distribution of organic carbon fractions in soil aggregates in Chinese fir plantations with different stand ages

Background:Revealing the variations in soil aggregate-related organic carbon(OC)and labile organic carbon(LOC)fractions in a chronosequence of Chinese fir plantations plays an important role in better understanding the impact of soil carbon sink or source on the Chinese fir plantation ecosystem.In this study,soil samples in a depth of 0–20 cm were collected from Chinese fir plantations at different stand ages(0,9,17,and 26 years old)in Guangxi,China.With the optimal moisture sieving method adopted,the soil aggregates of 4 different sizes were obtained,including>2-mm,2–1-mm,1–0.25-mm,and<0.25-mm aggregates.Soil OC and LOC fractions were measured in the aggregates of different sizes.The LOC fractions included readily oxidizable carbon(ROC),particulate organic carbon(POC),microbial biomass carbon(MBC),water-soluble organic carbon(WOC),and mineralized organic carbon(MOC).Results:Soil aggregate stability,as indicated by the mean weight diameter(MWD),was the highest in the 17-yearold Chinese fir plantations and was significantly positively related(p<0.05)to the concentrations of OC and LOC fractions(except for the ROC and MOC),with the POC in particular.As for all stand ages of Chinese fir plantations,the concentrations of soil OC and LOC fractions were significantly increased as the aggregate size decreased.Consequently,there were more OC and LOC fractions distributed in the<0.25-mm aggregates.During the stand development,the concentrations of soil OC and LOC fractions first increased and then decreased,with the highest levels detected in the 17-year-old Chinese fir plantations,indicating that the 17-year-old Chinese fir plantations were conducive to the accumulation of soil OC and LOC fractions.Conclusion:After 17 years of planting,promoted soil carbon(especially for the POC)accumulation contributes significantly to enhancing soil aggregate stability for the Chinese fir plantations in Guangxi,China.

Can soil organic carbon sequestration and the carbon management index be improved by changing the film mulching methods in the semiarid region?

Plastic film mulching has been widely used to increase maize yield in the semiarid area of China.However, whether long-term plastic film mulching is conducive to agricultural sustainability in this region remains controversial.A field experiment was initiated in 2013 with five different film mulching methods:(i) control method, flat planting without mulching (CK),(ii) flat planting with half film mulching (P),(iii) film mulching on ridges and planting in narrow furrows(S),(iv) full film mulching on double ridges (D), and (v) film mulching on ridges and planting in wide furrows (R).The effects on soil organic carbon (SOC) content, storage, and fractions, and on the carbon management index (CMI)were evaluated after nine consecutive years of plastic film mulching.The results showed that long-term plastic film mulching generally maintained the initial SOC level.Compared with no mulching, plastic film mulching increased the average crop yield, biomass yield, and root biomass by 48.38, 35.06, and 37.32%, respectively, which led to the improvement of SOC sequestration.Specifically, plastic film mulching significantly improved CMI, and increased the SOC content by 13.59%, SOC storage by 7.47%and easily oxidizable organic carbon (EOC) by 13.78%on average,but it reduced the other labile fractions.SOC sequestration and CMI were improved by refining the plastic film mulching methods.The S treatment had the best effect among the four mulching methods, so it can be used as a reasonable film mulching method for sustainable agricultural development in the semiarid area.

Soil Organic Carbon,Carbon Fractions and Nutrients as Affected by Land Use in Semi-Arid Region of Loess Plateau of China

Cropland (CP),native grassland (NG) and two shrub land treatments which were converted from cropland in 1985:seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) (ST),and branchytamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima) (BT) were investigated to evaluate effects of land use conversion on soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil nutrients in the semi-arid region of the Loess Plateau of China.Total organic carbon (TOC),light fraction organic carbon (LFOC),heavy fraction organic carbon (HFOC),total N (TN),nitrate nitrogen (NO 3-N) and nitrite nitrogen (NO 2-N),ammonium nitrogen (NH + 4-N),total P,and available P (AP) were measured.The results showed that SOC in NG,ST and BT were 12.7%,27.7% and 34.8% higher than that of the cropland,respectively.LFOC,light fraction (LF) dry matter,ratio of TOC to TN (C/N) and the ratio of TOC to AP (C/P) were higher in the shrub land or native grassland than in the cropland.Cropland had the highest TN,the sum of NO 3-N and NO 2-N,TP and AP due to the use of chemical fertilizers.TOC significantly correlated with LFOC,HFOC and C/N.LFOC significantly correlated with dry matter of the LF and C/N.TN,the sum of NO 3-N and NO 2-N and AP were significantly negatively correlated with TOC and LFOC.Therefore,land use conversion from cropland to shrub land,or maybe grassland,contributed to SOC sequestration and improved soil nutrients stabilization.

Soil Organic Carbon Pools in Particle-Size Fractions as Affected by Slope Gradient and Land Use Change in Hilly Regions,Western Iran

This study was conducted to explore the effects of topography and land use changes on particulate organic carbon(POC),particulate total nitrogen(PTN),organic carbon(OC) and total nitrogen(TN) associated with different size primary particle fractions in hilly regions of western Iran.Three popular land uses in the selected site including natural forest(NF),disturbed forest(DF) and cultivated land(CL) and three slope gradients(0-10 %,S1,10-30 %,S2,and 30-50%,S3) were employed as the basis of soil sampling.A total of 99 soil samples were taken from the 0-10 cm surface layer in the whole studied hilly region studied.The results showed that the POC in the forest land use in all slope gradients was considerably more than the deforested and cultivated lands and the highest value was observed at NF-S1 treatment with 9.13%.The values of PTN were significantly higher in the forest land use and in the down slopes(0.5%) than in the deforested and cultivated counterparts and steep slopes(0.09%) except for the CL land use.The C:N ratios in POC fraction were around 17-18 in the forest land and around 23 in the cultivated land.In forest land,the silt-associated OC was highest among the primary particles.The enrichment factor of SOC,EC,was the highest for POC.For the primary particles,EC of both primary fractions of silt and clay showed following trend for selected land uses and slope gradients:CL> DF> NF and S3 > S2> S1.Slope gradient of landscape significantly affected the OC and TN contents associated with the silt and clay particles,whereas higher OC and TN contents were observed in lower positions and the lowest value was measured in the steep slopes.Overall,the results showed that native forest land improves soil organic carbon storage and can reduce the carbon emission and soil erosion especially in the mountainous regions with high rainfall in west of Iran.

Conventional tillage improves the storage of soil organic carbon in heavy fractions in the Loess Plateau, China

Soil labile organic carbon （C） plays an important role in improving soil quality. The relatively stable fractions of soil organic C （SOC） represent the bulk of SOC, and are also the primary determinant of the long-term C balance of terrestrial ecosystems. Different land use types can influence the distribution patterns of different SOC fractions. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In the present study, different fractions of SOC were determined in two land use types： a grazed grassland （established on previously cultivated cropland 25 years ago, GG） and a long-term cultivated millet cropland （MC）. The results showed that C concentration and C storage of light fractions （LF） and heavy fractions （HF） presented different patterns along the soil profiles in the two sites. More plant residues in GG resulted in 91.9% higher LF storage at the 0-10 cm soil depth, further contributed to 21.9% higher SOC storage at this soil depth; SOC storage at 20-60 cm soil depth in MC was 98.8% higher than that in GG, which could be mainly attributed to the HF storage 104.5% higher than in GG. This might be caused by the long-term application of organic manure, as well as the protection from plough pan and silt- and clay-sized particles. The study indicated that different soil management practices in this region can greatly influence the variations of different SOC fractions, while the conventional tillage can greatly improve the storage of SOC by in- creasing heavy fractions.

Organic mulching promotes soil organic carbon accumulation to deep soil layer in an urban plantation forest

Background:Soil organic carbon(SOC)is important for soil quality and fertility in forest ecosystems.Labile SOC fractions are sensitive to environmental changes,which reflect the impact of short-term internal and external management measures on the soil carbon pool.Organic mulching(OM)alters the soil environment and promotes plant growth.However,little is known about the responses of SOC fractions in rhizosphere or bulk soil to OM in urban forests and its correlation with carbon composition in plants.Methods:A one-year field experiment with four treatments(OM at 0,5,10,and 20 cm thicknesses)was conducted in a 15-year-old Ligustrum lucidum plantation.Changes in the SOC fractions in the rhizosphere and bulk soil;the carbon content in the plant fine roots,leaves,and organic mulch;and several soil physicochemical properties were measured.The relationships between SOC fractions and the measured variables were analysed.Results:The OM treatments had no significant effect on the SOC fractions,except for the dissolved organic carbon(DOC).OM promoted the movement of SOC to deeper soil because of the increased carbon content in fine roots of subsoil.There were significant correlations between DOC and microbial biomass carbon and SOC and easily oxidised organic carbon.The OM had a greater effect on organic carbon fractions in the bulk soil than in the rhizosphere.The thinnest(5 cm)mulching layers showed the most rapid carbon decomposition over time.The time after OM had the greatest effect on the SOC fractions,followed by soil layer.Conclusions:The frequent addition of small amounts of organic mulch increased SOC accumulation in the present study.OM is a potential management model to enhance soil organic matter storage for maintaining urban forest productivity.

Changes of Organic Carbon in Soil under Different Land Use Patterns in Alpine Agricultural Region of Qinghai

Using organic carbon density grouping method,the change trends of soil total organic carbon(SOC),light fraction content and light fraction organic carbon under 4 land use patterns of returning cultivated land to forest(cropland,artificial forest,inter-cropping of forest and grassland and original sample plot)in alpine agricultural region of Qinghai were studied.The content of SOC was in order:intercropping of forest and grassland > original sample plot > artificial forest > cropland.There was signi...

Effects of afforestation on soil carbon and its fractions:a case study from the Loess Plateau,China

Afforestation has been implemented to reduce soil erosion and improve the environment of the Loess Plateau,China.Although it increased soil organic carbon（SOC）,the stability of the increase is unknown.Additionally,the variations of soil inorganic carbon（SIC） following afforestation needs to be reconfirmed.After planting Robinia pseudoacacia,Pinus tabuliformis,and Hippophae rhamnoides on bare land on the Loess Plateau,total soil carbon（TSC） was measured and its two components,SIC and SOC,as well as the light and heavy fractions within SOC under bare lands and woodlands at the soil surface（0–20 cm）.The results show that TSC on bare land was 24.5 Mg ha^（-1） and significantly increased to 51.6 Mg ha^（-1） for R.pseudoacacia,47.0 Mg ha^（-1） for P.tabuliformis and 39.9 Mg ha^（-1） for H.rhamnoides.The accumulated total soil carbon under R.pseudoacacia,P.tabuliformis,and H.rhamnoides,the heavy fraction（HFSOC） accounted for 65.2,31.7 and 76.2%,respectively; the light fraction（LF-SOC） accounted for 18.0,52.0 and 4.0%,respectively; SIC occupied 15.6,15.3 and 19.7%,respectively.The accumulation rates of TSC under R.pseudoacacia,P.tabuliformis,and H.rhamnoides reached159.5,112.4 and 102.5 g m^（-2） a^（-1）,respectively.The results demonstrate that afforestation on bare land has high potential for soil carbon accumulation on the Loess Plateau.Among the newly sequestrated total soil carbon,the heavy fraction（HF-SOC） with a slow turnover rate accounted for a considerably high percentage,suggesting that significant sequestrated carbon can be stored in soils following afforestation.Furthermore,afforestation induces SIC sequestration.Although its contribution to TSC accumulation was less than SOC,overlooking it may substantially underestimate the capacity of carbon sequestration after afforestation on the Loess Plateau.

Effect of Wetland Reclamation on Soil Organic Carbon Stability in Peat Mire Soil Around Xingkai Lake in Northeast China

Content and density of soil organic carbon(SOC) and labile and stable SOC fractions in peat mire soil in wetland, soybean field and rice paddy field reclaimed from the wetland around Xingkai Lake in Northeast China were studied. Studies were designed to investigate the impact of reclamation of wetland for soybean and rice farming on stability of SOC. After reclamation, SOC content and density in the top 0–30 cm soil layer decreased, and SOC content and density in soybean field were higher than that in paddy field. Content and density of labile SOC fractions also decreased, and density of labile SOC fractions and their ratios with SOC in soybean field were lower than that observed in paddy field. In the 0–30 cm soil layer, densities of labile SOC fractions, namely, dissolved organic carbon(DOC), microbial biomass carbon(MBC), readily oxidized carbon(ROC) and readily mineralized carbon(RMC), in both soybean field and paddy field were all found to be lower than those in wetland by 34.00% and 13.83%, 51.74% and 35.13%, 62.24% and 59.00%, and 64.24% and 17.86%, respectively. After reclamation, SOC density of micro-aggregates(< 0.25 mm) as a stable SOC fraction and its ratio with SOC in 0–5, 5–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm soil layers increased. SOC density of micro-aggregates in the 0–30 cm soil layer in soybean field was 50.83% higher than that in paddy field. Due to reclamation, SOC density and labile SOC fraction density decreased, but after reclamation, most SOC was stored in a more complex and stable form. Soybean farming is more friendly for sustainable SOC residence in the soils than rice farming.

Long-term effects of gravel―sand mulch on soil organic carbon and nitrogen in the Loess Plateau of northwestern China

Gravel-sand mulch has been used for centuries to conserve water in the Loess Plateau of north- western China. In this study, we assessed the influence of long-term （1996-2012） gravel-sand mulching of cultiv- ated soils on total organic carbon （TOC）, light fraction organic carbon （LFOC）, microbial biomass carbon （MBC）, total organic nitrogen （TON）, particulate organic carbon （POC）, mineral-associated organic carbon （MOC）, perma- nganate-oxidizable carbon （KMnO4-C）, and non-KMnO4-C at 0-60 cm depths. Mulching durations were 7, 11 and 16 years, with a non-mulched control. Compared to the control, there was no significant and consistently positive effect of the mulch on TOC, POC, MOC, KMnO4-C and non-KMnO4-C before 11 years of mulching, and these organic C fractions generally decreased significantly by 16 years. LFOC, TON and MBC to at a 0-20 cm depth in- creased with increasing mulching duration until 11 years, and then these fractions decreased significantly between 11 and 16 years, reaching values comparable to or lower than those in the control. KMnO4-C was most strongly correlated with the labile soil C fractions. Our findings suggest that although gravel-sand mulch may conserve soil moisture, it may also lead to long-term decreases in labile soil organic C fractions and total organic N in the study area. The addition of manure or composted manure would be a good choice to reverse the soil deterioration that occurs after 11 years by increasing the inputs of organic matter.

Effect of fire intensity on active organic and total soil carbon in a Larix gmelinii forest in the Daxing'anling Mountains,Northeastern China

Studying contents and seasonal dynamics of active organic carbon in the soil is an important method for revealing the turnover and regulation mechanism of soil carbon pool. Through 3 years of field sampling and lab analysis, we studied the seasonal variations, content differences, and interrelationships of total organic carbon （TOC）, light fraction organic carbon （LFOC）, and particulate organic carbon （POC） of the soil in the forest areas burned with different fire intensities in the Daxing＇anling Mountains. The mean TOC content in the low-intensity burned area was greater than that in the unburned area, moderate-intensity, and high-intensity burned areas in June and November （P 〈 0.05）. LFOC and POC in the low-intensity burned area were greater than that in either moderate-intensity or high-intensity burned areas, with significant differences in LFOC in September and November （P 〈 0.05）. A significant difference in LFOC between the unburned and burned areas was only found in July （P 〈 0.05）. However, the differences in POC between the unburned and burned areas were not significant in all the whole seasons （P 〉 0.05）. Soil LFOC and POC varied significantly with the seasons （P 〈 0.05） in the Daxing＇anling Mountains. Significant linear relationships were observed between soil TOC, LFOC, and POC, which were positively correlated with soil nitrogen and negatively correlated with soil temperature in the Daxing＇anling Mountains.

Soil organic carbon pool along different altitudinal level in the Sygera Mountains, Tibetan Plateau

Labile organic carbon（LOC） is one of the most important indicators of soil organic matter quality and dynamics elevation and plays important function in the Tibetan Plateau climate. However, it is unknown what the sources and causes of LOC contamination are. In this study, soil organic carbon（SOC）, total nitrogen（TN）, microbial biomass carbon（MBC）, microbial biomass nitrogen（MBN） and LOC were analyzed based on different soil horizons and elevations using turnover time in an experimental site（3700 m to 4300 m area） in Sygera. SOC and LOC in higher-elevation vegetation types were higher than that of in lower-elevation vegetation types. Our results presented that the soil microbial biomass carbon（SMBC） and soil microbial biomass nitrogen（SMBN）were positively correlated with SOC. The content of easily oxidized carbon（EOC）, particulate organic carbon（POC） and light fraction organic carbon（LFOC） decreased with depth increasing and the content were the lowest in the 60 cm to 100 cm depth.The total SOC, ROC and POC contents decreased with increasing soil horizons. The SOC, TN, MBC and MBN contents increased with increasing altitude in the Sygera Mountains. The MBC and MBN contents weredifferent with the changes of SOC（p＆lt;0.05）,meanwhile, both LFOC and POC were related to total SOC（p＆lt;0.05）. The physical and chemical properties of soil, including temperature, humidity, and altitude,were involved in the regulation of SOC, TN, MBC,MBN and LFOC contents in the Sygera Mountains,Tibetan Plateau.

Changes in Soil Organic Carbon Dynamics in a Native C4 Plant-Dominated Tidal Marsh Following Spartina alterniflora Invasion

Invasion of an exotic C4 plant Spartina alterniflora has been shown to increase soil organic carbon （SOC） concentrations in native C3 plant-dominated coastal wetlands of China. However, little is known about the effects of S. alterniflora invasion on SOC concentrations and fractions in tidal marshes dominated by native C4 plants. In this study, a field experiment was conducted in a tidal marsh dominated by the native C4 plant Cyperus malaccensis in the Minjiang River estuary, China. Concentrations of SOC and liable SOC fractions, dissolved organic carbon （DOG）, microbial biomass carbon （MBC）, and easily oxidizable carbon （EOC）, were measured in the top 50-cm soils of the C. malaccensis community, as well as those of three S. alterniflova communities with an invasion duration of 0-4 years （SA-4）, 4-8 years （SA-8）, and 8-12 years （SA-12）, respectively. Results showed that both SOC stocks in the 50-cm soils and mean SOC concentrations in the surface soils （0-10 cm） of the C. malaccensis community increased with the duration of S. alterniflora invasion, whereas SOC concentrations in the 10-50-cm soils decreased slightly during the initial period of S. alterniflora invasion, before increasing again. The pattern of changes in labile SOC fractions （DOC, MBC, and EOC） with invasion duration was generally similar to that of SOC, while the ratios of labile SOC fractions to total SOC （DOC：SOC, MBC：SOC, and EOC：SOC） decreased significantly with the duration of S. alterniflora invasion. The findings of this study suggest that invasion of the exotic C4 plant S. alternifora into a marsh dominated by the native C4 plant C. malaecensis would enhance SOC sequestration owing to the greater amount of biomass and lower proportion of labile SOC fractions present in the S. alterniflora communities.

Straw addition increases enzyme activities and microbial carbon metabolism activities in bauxite residue

Recovery of microbial functions is one of the critical processes in the nutrient cycling of bauxite residue for improving revegetation.Straw is considered to be effective to increase microbial diversity and drive the development of the microbial community,but its effect on microbial carbon metabolism has not been illustrated.The present study evaluated the effects of phosphogypsum(PG),straw(SF)and phosphogypsum plus straw(PGSF)on physicochemical properties,enzyme activities,and microbial carbon metabolism activities in bauxite residue.After 180 days incubation,PG,SF and PGSF treatment significantly reduced the residue pH from 10.85 to 8.64,9.39 and 8.06,respectively.Compared to CK treatment,SF treatment significantly increased the content of total organic carbon(TOC)and organic carbon fractions(DOC,MBC,EOC,and POC).In addition,straw addition significantly increased glucosidase,cellulose,urease,and alkaline phosphatase by 7.2-9.1 times,5.8-7.1 times,11.1-12.5 times,and 1.1-2.2 times,respectively.The Biolog results showed that straw addition significantly increased microbial metabolic activity(AWCD)and diversity in bauxite residue.Redundancy analysis indicated total nitrogen(TN)and carbon fractions(POC,MBC and DOC)were the most important environmental factors affecting microbial metabolic activity and diversity in bauxite residue.These findings provided us with a biogeochemical perspective to reveal soil formation in bauxite residue and suggested that nutrient supplement and regulation of salinity-alkalinity benefit the establishment of microbial communities and functions in bauxite residue.