Influence of the mineral matrix on the formation and molecular composition of soil organic matter in a long-term, agricultural experiment

Abstract

The formation of soil organic matter from grass residues was studied in a 34-year-old pot experiment with grass cultivation on loamy marl using pyrolysis-field ionization mass spectrometry (Py-FIMS). For whole soils, the Py-FI mass spectra indicated clear changes in the molecular-chemical composition during SOM formation from grass residues. In particular, the enrichment of heterocyclic N-containing compounds with time was remarkable.