Carbon and nitrogen accretion and dynamics in volcanic ash deposits from different subarctic habitats

Abstract

C and N pool sizes and rates of mineralization were studied in volcanic-ash deposits found in different subarctic habitats in southwestern Alaska. Surface ash samples were taken from white-spruce, alder, and moist- and dry-tundra habitats and were analysed for total and microbial C and N. C and N dynamics were studied using a 28-day aerobic laboratory incubation, with weekly measurement of evolved CO2 and determination of inorganic-N pools initially and after 10 and 28 days. Total and microbial C and N and cumulative respired CO2 all followed a similar pattern among the different habitats, with the moist-tundra habitat having the highest values and the spruce site the lowest. The size of the microbial biomass C and N pool in the spruce habitat was among the lowest reported for any ecosystem. Little net N mineralization occurred in the spruce-forest and dry-tundra ash over 28 days. Ash from the moist-tundra habitat immobilized a significant amount of N during the first 10 days of incubation, yet showed a large net release of N after 28 days. In contrast, the ash from the alder site exhibited net mineralization after both periods, with N production after 28 days being about 3.5 times that after 10 days. In addition, the alder-habitat ash was the only soil that showed net nitrification. Rates of total C and N accretion in the tundra and alder habitats were rapid relative to rates found for primary successions. The results of this study show that habitat has a profound effect on C and N cycling in subarctic environments.