Abstract
This study examines the spatial distribution of organic carbon in alluvial soils subjected to frequent flooding according to different flood risk zones, that is, interval recurrences of 0-20 years (FFz) and 20-100 years (MFz). Sites located outside of flood zones (NFz) were also selected to compare the soil organic carbon (SOC) in different zones. The selected sites are located in floodplains covered by forest dominated by silver maple (Acer saccharinum L.) and green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh.) in southern Québec. These floodplains are affected by frequent flooding, especially in the last decades, which has a direct impact on pedogenic processes, particularly in terms of in situ soil biomass and organic matter. The soil samples (0-20 cm depth) collected in a frequent flood zone (FFz), generally show a lower content of soil organic carbon (SOC%) ranging from 1.74 to 2.59% (median values), and mean values between 1.79 and 2.83%, respectively. In areas not affected by the floods, levels of SOC (%) are generally higher, with values ranging between 2.86 and 3.73% (mean), and mean values between 3.18 and 5.17%. Loss of biomass (litter) during the flood recession causes a net loss of organic matter to the subsurface soils. Successive flooding leads to an impoverishment of alluvial soils and undermining of the pedogenic processes and soil development. This confirms the trends observed in our previous work on soil depletion in active floodplains in the study area. Key words: Alluvial soils, soil organic carbon (SOC), floods, spatial variability, climate change.
Highlights
The number of studies on global warming and their impact on river systems have grown over the past few years (Monirul et al, 2003; Alcamo et al, 2007; Kay et al, 2008; Whitehead et al, 2009; Wilby and Keenan, 2012)
This study aims at measuring the soil organic carbon of subsurface soils based on the various flood risk zones
Soils in the frequent flood zones show lower values of soil organic carbon (SOC)% content compared to the no flood zones
Summary
The number of studies on global warming and their impact on river systems have grown over the past few years (Monirul et al, 2003; Alcamo et al, 2007; Kay et al, 2008; Whitehead et al, 2009; Wilby and Keenan, 2012). Hydroclimatic changes have had a direct impact on river flow and play a key role in the homeostasis of riverside environments (Tockner et al, 1999; Steiger and Gurnell, 2003; Rokosh et al, 2009). There are fairly few studies on the pedogenetic development of riverside soils and their physical and chemical properties regarding the increase in flood recurrence (Daniels, 2003; Bailey and Guimond, 2009; Ruiz-Sinoga et al, 2012).
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