Articles | Volume 11, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-11-105-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-11-105-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Original research article
| 
30 Jan 2025
Original research article |
| 30 Jan 2025
| 30 Jan 2025
Soil organic carbon mineralization is controlled by the application dose of exogenous organic matter
Orly Mendoza
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Environment, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Stefaan De Neve
Department of Environment, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Heleen Deroo
Department of Environment, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Haichao Li
Department of Environment, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Astrid Françoys
Department of Environment, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Isotope Bioscience Laboratory, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Steven Sleutel
Department of Environment, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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To assess the impact of the groundwater table (GWT) depth on soil moisture and C mineralization, we designed a laboratory setup using 200 cm undisturbed soil columns. Surprisingly, the moisture increase induced by a shallower GWT did not result in enhanced C mineralization. We presume this upward capillary moisture effect was offset by increased C mineralization upon rewetting, particularly noticeable in drier soils when capillary rise affected the topsoil to a lesser extent due to a deeper GWT.
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To assess the impact of the groundwater table (GWT) depth on soil moisture and C mineralization, we designed a laboratory setup using 200 cm undisturbed soil columns. Surprisingly, the moisture increase induced by a shallower GWT did not result in enhanced C mineralization. We presume this upward capillary moisture effect was offset by increased C mineralization upon rewetting, particularly noticeable in drier soils when capillary rise affected the topsoil to a lesser extent due to a deeper GWT.
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This study investigated how land use, through its impact on soil geochemistry, might indirectly control soil organic carbon (SOC) content in tropical volcanic soils in Indonesia. We analyzed SOC fractions, substrate-specific mineralization, and net priming of SOC. Our results indicated that the enhanced formation of aluminum (hydr)oxides promoted aggregation and physical occlusion of OC, which is consistent with the lesser degradability of SOC in agricultural soils.
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We assessed if and how incorporation of exogenous organic carbon (OC) such as straw could affect decomposition of native soil organic carbon (SOC) under different irrigation regimes. Addition of exogenous OC promoted dissolution of native SOC, partly because of increased Fe reduction, leading to more net release of Fe-bound SOC. Yet, there was no proportionate priming of SOC-derived DOC mineralisation. Water-saving irrigation can retard both priming of SOC dissolution and mineralisation.
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Short summary
Farmers frequently apply fresh organic matter such as crop residues to soil to boost its carbon content. Yet, one burning question remains: does the quantity of applied organic matter affect its decomposition and that of native soil organic matter? Our experiment suggests that smaller application doses might deplete soil organic matter more rapidly, at least in coarser-textured soil. In contrast, applying intermediate or high doses might be a promising strategy for maintaining it.
Farmers frequently apply fresh organic matter such as crop residues to soil to boost its carbon...
