Journal ArticleDOI
The contentious nature of soil organic matter
Johannes Lehmann,Markus Kleber +1 more
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TLDR
It is argued that the available evidence does not support the formation of large-molecular-size and persistent ‘humic substances’ in soils, and instead soil organic matter is a continuum of progressively decomposing organic compounds.Abstract:
Instead of containing stable and chemically unique ‘humic substances’, as has been widely accepted, soil organic matter is a mixture of progressively decomposing organic compounds; this has broad implications for soil science and its applications. The exchange of nutrients, energy and carbon between soil organic matter, the soil environment, aquatic systems and the atmosphere is important for agricultural productivity, water quality and climate. Long-standing theory suggests that soil organic matter is composed of inherently stable and chemically unique compounds. Here we argue that the available evidence does not support the formation of large-molecular-size and persistent ‘humic substances’ in soils. Instead, soil organic matter is a continuum of progressively decomposing organic compounds. We discuss implications of this view of the nature of soil organic matter for aquatic health, soil carbon–climate interactions and land management. Soil organic matter contains a large portion of the world's carbon and plays an important role in maintaining productive soils and water quality. Nevertheless, a consensus on the nature of soil organic matter is lacking. Johannes Lehmann and Markus Kleber argue that soil organic matter should no longer be seen as large and persistent, chemically unique substances, but as a continuum of progressively decomposing organic compounds.read more
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
Biogeographic variation in temperature sensitivity of decomposition in forest soils.
Jinquan Li,Ming Nie,Elise Pendall,Peter B. Reich,Peter B. Reich,Junmin Pei,Nam Jin Noh,Ting Zhu,Bo Li,Changming Fang +9 more
TL;DR: Quantifying C decomposition and its response to temperature change with an incubation study of soils in China highlights that climate-related biogeographic variation in soil C responses to temperature needs to be included in next-generation C cycle models to improve predictions of C-climate feedback.
Journal ArticleDOI
Soil aggregation, ecosystem engineers and the C cycle
Patrick Lavelle,A. V. Spain,Steven J. Fonte,José Camilo Bedano,Eric Blanchart,Víctor Galindo,Michel Grimaldi,Juan J. Jiménez,Elena Velasquez,Anne Zangerlé +9 more
TL;DR: In this paper, a simple visual technique is proposed to separate macro-aggregated components of different physicogenic and biogenic origins from non-macro-aggaggregate soil on a morphological basis.
Journal ArticleDOI
The contribution of ericoid plants to soil nitrogen chemistry and organic matter decomposition in boreal forest soil.
Bartosz Adamczyk,Anu Ahvenainen,Outi-Maaria Sietiö,Sanna Kanerva,Antti-Jussi Kieloaho,Aino Smolander,Veikko Kitunen,Pekka Saranpää,Tapio Laakso,Petra Straková,Jussi Heinonsalo +10 more
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of ericoid plants (Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea, and E. Pinus sylvestris) on soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition in boreal forests were investigated.
Journal ArticleDOI
Improvement of Soil Microbial Diversity through Sustainable Agricultural Practices and Its Evaluation by -Omics Approaches: A Perspective for the Environment, Food Quality and Human Safety.
TL;DR: In this article, both targeted and untargeted management of soil microbial communities appear to be promising in the sustainable improvement of food crop yield, its nutritional quality and safety, which can help strengthen the link between soil well-being, food quality, food safety and human health.
Journal ArticleDOI
Crayfish shell biochar for the mitigation of Pb contaminated water and soil: Characteristics, mechanisms, and applications
TL;DR: XRD, SEM-EDS, and FTIR analysis showed that ion exchange, complexation, precipitation, and C-π interaction are the dominant interaction mechanisms of CSBC and it can employ as an effective immobilizing agent for the mitigation of Pb contaminated water and soil.
References
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TL;DR: The Structure of Scientific Revolutions as discussed by the authors is a seminal work in the history of science and philosophy of science, and it has been widely cited as a major source of inspiration for the present generation of scientists.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present an analysis of organic matter in soil using NMR Spectroscopy and analytical pyrolysis, showing that organic matter is composed of nitrogen and ammonium.