Dissolved Organic Carbon Sorption Research Articles

Effect of marine sediment on the phase partitioning and isotopic content of riverine DOC

AbstractRivers discharge significant quantities of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) to the ocean, yet biomarker and isotope studies suggest that terrigenous DOC makes up only a small amount DOC in the ocean. One of the removal pathways proposed for riverine DOC is sorption to marine sediments. This process is chemically selective, but whether sorption alters the isotopic composition of riverine DOC is unknown. Because there is isotopic variability across different organic compound classes, sorptive removal of DOC could also alter the isotopic composition of DOC. As a first step in addressing this question, we examined phase partitioning and isotopic composition of a riverine DOC standard in the presence of marine sediment particles. In a series of controlled experiments, the standard was mixed with marine sediment in 35‰ NaCl solution, then separated into particulate and dissolved phases for analyses of mass, δ13C, and ∆14C of organic carbon (OC). Across a range of sediment OC to DOC mass ratios (from < 0.1 to ~ 3), we found that: (1) sediment sorbed 0.8 μg OC per mg of sediment; and (2) DOC compounds with higher ∆14C and lower δ13C values relative to the bulk DOC was preferentially removed from solution. In effect, mixing a riverine DOC standard with marine sediment resulted in increased ∆14C and decreased δ13C of the DOC that remained in solution. These results show that sorption of DOC to sediment can alter the isotopic content of riverine DOC.

Mobilization of subsurface carbon pools driven by permafrost thaw and reactivation of groundwater flow: a virtual experiment

Permafrost thaw leads to an increase in groundwater circulation and potential mobilization of organic carbon sequestered in deep Arctic sediments (e.g. 3–25 m below surface). Upon thaw, a portion of this carbon may be transported along new groundwater flow paths to surface waters or be microbially transformed or immobilized by in-situ biogeochemical reactions. The fate of thaw-mobilized carbon impacts surface water productivity and global climate. We developed a numerical model to investigate the effects of subsurface warming, permafrost thaw, and resultant increased groundwater flow on the mobilization and reactive transport of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Synthetic simulations demonstrate that mobilization and groundwater-borne DOC export are determined by subsurface thermo-chemical conditions that control the interplay of DOC production (organic matter degradation), mineralization, and sorption. Results suggest that peak carbon mobilization from these depths precedes complete permafrost loss, occurring within two centuries of thaw initiation with the development of supra-permafrost groundwater flow systems. Additionally, this study highlights the lack of field data needed to constrain these new models and apply them in real-word site-specific applications, specifically the amount and spatial variability of organic carbon in deep sediments and data to constrain DOC production rates for groundwater systems in degrading permafrost. Modeling results point to key biogeochemical parameters related to organic matter and carbon bioavailability to be measured in the field to bridge the gap between models and observations. This study provides a foundation for further developing a physics-based modeling framework to incorporate the influence of groundwater flow and permafrost thaw on permafrost DOC dynamics and export, which is imperative for advancing understanding and prediction of carbon release and terrestrial-aquatic carbon exchange in warming Artic landscapes in the coming decades.

Effect of pH on the sorption of dissolved organic carbon derived from six tree species in forest soils

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is an important component of the total carbon (C) pool in temperate forest soils. The ability of forest soils to sorb DOC is an essential feature in the context of ecosystem changes (such as climate change) and the resulting changes in the C cycle. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of forest soils with different pH levels to sorb DOC from litter of different forest tree species. To accomplish this, we conducted two laboratory experiments in which the soil differed in the depth from which they were sampled (topsoil vs. subsoil) and the initial DOC content. We modified the soil pH to obtain a range covering most soils in temperate forests (approximately 3.5–8). Soil samples were leached with extracts of similar DOC content obtained from the litter of six main forest-forming tree species in temperate zone. Increased DOC sorption was observed at approximate soil pH levels of 3.5 and 7.5, with the highest sorption capacity occurring at low pH. The DOC sorption capacity was decreasing with consecutive leaching with litter extract. The capacity of DOC sorption also depended on the litter species. In addition, the initial concentration of C in soil had no significant relationship with sorption capacity. Litter species were related to the sorption of released DOC, which was probably linked to the Al content in the litter. The increased DOC sorption at low pH was likely because of dissolved organic matter protonation (saturation of functional groups with H+ ions resulting in proton bridging and van der Waals forces), while Ca2+ ions causing cation bridging, flocculation or non-columbic interactions were likely responsible for the increased sorption at high pH. Our research shed light on the significant effects of soil pH on the stabilization of DOC, as well as the important role and positive influence of Al on DOC sorption by forest soils. Our findings provide new, significant insight by presenting that litter-derived DOC sorption is dependent both on soil pH and litter chemical composition.

Sorption and desorption of organic matter in soils as affected by phosphate

The contribution of different adsorption processes to soil organic matter (SOM) stabilization and the consequences of the intensification of land use on the adsorption of SOM are not yet fully understood. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the adsorption of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in soils as well as desorption of organic carbon (OC) caused by phosphate addition. We conducted desorption and sorption experiments with DOC, phosphate (Na2HPO4), and chloride (KCl) in topsoil and subsoil samples from a Ferralsol, an Andosol, and a Podzol. Furthermore, we quantified the size of DOC by size-exclusion chromatography.We found that phosphate addition caused a strong increase in the DOC concentration in all soils. The DOC concentration was elevated by up to a factor of 4.5 compared to a control (water only) within five minutes after phosphate addition and kept increasing further with time, particularly in the Ferralsol. After 10 days, the DOC concentrations in the P addition treatment were between 5.5 and 18.0 times higher than in the control treatment. In contrast, chloride addition did not lead to increased DOC concentrations compared to the control (water only). Phosphate addition led mostly to desorption of organic matter of medium molecular size (10–100 and 100–1000 kDa) in the Ferralsol and the Andosol and of large molecular size (>1000 kDa) in the Podzol. In contrast, potassium chloride addition shifted the size distribution of DOC in the soil solution towards small compounds (<10 kDa), likely because KCl addition affected the aggregation of DOC compounds, in contrast to Na2HPO4 addition. Furthermore, phosphate addition also decreased subsequent sorption of DOC in the Ferralsol and the Andosol by a factor of up to 2.9 and 2.1, respectively.Our results have far-reaching implications because they show that phosphate addition can lead to desorption, and thus to destabilization of SOM, particularly in Ferralsols, and can also prevent further sorption of organic matter in soils. Our study provides a mechanistic explanation of why phosphate addition can decrease soil organic carbon sequestration and stabilization. This mechanism should be considered in the analysis of land-use and tillage effects on SOM sequestration in the future. Furthermore, our study indicates that also medium and large molecular size organic matter is stabilized through adsorption in soils.

How much carbon can be added to soil by sorption?

Quantifying the upper limit of stable soil carbon storage is essential for guiding policies to increase soil carbon storage. One pool of carbon considered particularly stable across climate zones and soil types is formed when dissolved organic carbon sorbs to minerals. We quantified, for the first time, the potential of mineral soils to sorb additional dissolved organic carbon (DOC) for six soil orders. We compiled 402 laboratory sorption experiments to estimate the additional DOC sorption potential, that is the potential of excess DOC sorption in addition to the existing background level already sorbed in each soil sample. We estimated this potential using gridded climate and soil geochemical variables within a machine learning model. We find that mid- and low-latitude soils and subsoils have a greater capacity to store DOC by sorption compared to high-latitude soils and topsoils. The global additional DOC sorption potential for six soil orders is estimated to be 107 pm 13 Pg C to 1 m depth. If this potential was realized, it would represent a 7% increase in the existing total carbon stock.

Aspen Soils Retain More Dissolved Organic Carbon Than Conifer Soils in a Sorption Experiment

The effect tree species have on soil organic carbon (SOC) has been hotly debated but, so far, few clear patterns have emerged. One example of a differing tree species effect on SOC are aspen forests in North America, which have been found to have more stable SOC than adjacent conifer forest stands. An important source for the formation of stable organo-mineral complexes in soil is dissolved organic carbon (DOC). DOC concentrations in mineral soil are often higher under the thick O-horizons of conifer forests than under aspen forests, but this does not correspond to more stable mineral SOC. This suggests that, instead of DOC concentration, DOC quality could be driving the observed differences in SOC. Therefore, we quantified the retention of contrasting forest detritus DOC in soils. Using a batch sorption experiment approach, we compared the retention of detritus leachates from four sources – aspen leaves (AL), aspen roots (AR), conifer (subalpine fir) needles (CN), and conifer (subalpine fir) roots (CR) – on soils sampled under aspen and conifer (subalpine fir and Douglas fir) overstories. The calculated sorption isotherms showed a higher retention of AL DOC than AR DOC, as indicated by all four sorption parameters – k and n (curve-fitting parameters), null point concentration (NPC; net sorption = net desorption), and endpoint (EP, retention at the highest initial DOC concentration). Leachates from CN and CR showed very similar retention behavior, and between the two species the retention of root leachates was more similar than the retention of foliage leachates. Soils sampled from aspen forests showed higher affinity for new DOC than conifer soils [higher sorption rate (n), lower NPC, and higher EP] regardless of the DOC source. The findings suggest that the higher DOC sorption on aspen soils might be a major driver for more stable SOC under aspen stands in North America.

Dissolved organic carbon loss from paddy fields by drainage and roles of common ions

Cations and anions exerted important effects on dissolved organic carbon (DOC) release and retention in arable soils. However, knowledge is limited on DOC loss from rice (Oryza sativa L.) paddies by drainage and its association with common ions under a conventional irrigation and drainage regime. This study aimed to investigate DOC dynamics in the soil-overlying water system and the synergistic behaviors of common ions (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl−, NO3− and SO42−) contributing to variations in DOC flux in drainage water at the pre-growing, vegetative and reproductive stages of rice cultivation in the Sanjiang Plain of NE China. Samples of overlying water and soil in three layers (0–20, 20–40, and 40–60 cm) were collected before drainage to evaluate variations of DOC and common ions across rice growing stages and to estimate DOC loss by drainage. Sorption experiments were conducted to determine DOC sorption capacities of surface soil (0–5 cm). Compared with the pre-growing stage, DOC concentrations in overlying water and soil significantly increased at the vegetative stage, while significant increases at the reproductive stage were merely in soil. Net movement of DOC was from soil to overlying water at the pre-growing and reproductive stages, and was close to equilibrium at the vegetative stage. Ca2+ and Mg2+ in surface soils (0–20 cm) displayed stronger capacities explaining DOC dynamics in the soil-overlying water system than the other common ions. As Ca2+ and Mg2+ in surface soils (0–20 cm) increased, DOC in the uppermost soil layers (0–20 and 20–40 cm) and overlying water increased, and DOC sorption capacities in surface soil were enhanced. DOC loss from paddy fields by drainage mainly occurred at the vegetative stage, occupying 62–83 % of the total, and much more attention ought to be paid to control drainage DOC loss during this period. In light of important roles of Ca2+ and Mg2+ in DOC dynamics and then DOC loss by drainage, appropriate measures with respect to addition of Ca2+ and Mg2+ could be taken into consideration in rice cultivation to alleviate paddy field DOC export.

Poorly crystalline iron and aluminium oxides contribute to the carbon saturation and sorption of dissolved organic carbon in the soil

AbstractSoil carbon (C) saturation implies an upper limit to a soil's capacity to store C depending on the contents of silt + clay and poorly crystalline Fe and Al oxides. We hypothesized that the poorly crystalline Fe and Al oxides in silt + clay fraction increased the C saturation and thus reduced the capacity of the soil to sorb additional C input. To test the hypothesis, we studied the sorption of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) on silt + clay fractions (&lt;53 µm) of highly weathered oxic soils, collected from three different land uses (i.e., improved pasture, cropping and forest). Soils with high carbon saturation desorbed 38% more C than soils with low C saturation upon addition of DOC, whereas adsorption of DOC was only observed at higher concentration (&gt;15 g kg−1). While high Al oxide concentration significantly increased both the saturation and desorption of DOC, the high Fe oxide concentration significantly increased the desorption of DOC, supporting the proposition that both oxides have influence on the DOC sorption in soil. Our findings provide a new insight into the chemical control of stabilization and destabilization of DOC in soil.

Modelling multiseasonal preferential transport of dissolved organic carbon in a shallow forest soil: Equilibrium versus kinetic sorption

AbstractParameterization of transformation and transport processes of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in soils is challenging especially under variable hydrological conditions. In this study, DOC concentrations in stormflow were analysed with a physically based modelling approach. A one‐dimensional dual‐continuum vertical flow and transport model was applied to simulate subsurface processes in a macroporous forest hillslope soil over a period of 4.5 years. Microbially mediated transformations of DOC were assumed to depend primarily on soil moisture and soil temperature. Two conceptually different descriptions of the sorption of DOC to soil were examined with equilibrium and kinetic approaches. In order to quantify the uncertainties associated with the model parameterization, Monte Carlo analyses in conjunction with Latin hypercube sampling was performed. Despite the complexity of microbial transformations, the simulated temporal patterns of DOC concentrations in stormflow showed similar behaviour to those reflected in the observed DOC fluxes. Due to preferential flow, the hillslope DOC export (5.0 ± 0.5 g C · m−2 · year−1) was higher than the amounts usually reported in the literature. Overall DOC transport in hillslope scenarios could be described appropriately using the equilibrium sorption assumption. The performed analyses showed that the inclusion of the kinetic description of DOC sorption only slightly improved the predictions of the DOC hillslope export. Moreover, influences of seasonal hydro‐climatological conditions on hillslope export of DOC could be observed. Reduced DOC transport during an extreme warm and dry summer was described with lower accuracy, thus indicating the difficulties in the representation of DOC transformations under dry conditions.

Effects of dissolved organic carbon on desorption of aged phenanthrene from contaminated soils: A mechanistic study

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) has a major influence upon sorption/desorption and transport of hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) in soil environments. However, the molecular mechanisms of DOC sorption and its effects on aged HOC desorption in contaminated soils still remain largely unclear. Here, effects of three different DOC (one from commercial peat and two from biochars produced at 300 °C and 500 °C pyrolysis temperatures, respectively) and oxalate (as a reference) on abiotic desorption behavior of aged phenanthrene from three agricultural soils were investigated. Results showed that desorption of aged phenanthrene from soils was predominantly dependent on soil organic carbon content. The presence of DOC and oxalate resulted in higher desorption of phenanthrene compared to water alone, and the effects were positively related to soil organic carbon content and DOC/oxalate concentration. The facilitating effects of DOC were further increased during the second consecutive desorption, whereas oxalate had no such effect. Ultra-high-resolution Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance-mass spectrometry confirmed the molecular fractionation of DOC at the soil-water interface during DOC sorption. Specifically, the DOC molecules with O-rich moieties were preferentially adsorbed, whereas the molecules with phenolic and aromatic structures were selectively retained in the soil solutions through competitive displacement and co-sorption reactions during sorption. The enriched phenyl structures in the retained DOC facilitated its association with phenanthrene in the solutions and thus the release of phenanthrene from the soils. In contrast, oxalate replaced some organic carbon from the soils and thus released the associated phenanthrene into the solutions. Our findings highlight the importance of the molecular composition and structure of DOC for the desorption of phenanthrene in soil-water environments, which may help improve our understanding of the release and transport of organic compounds in the environments.

Priming mechanisms with additions of pyrogenic organic matter to soil

Additions of pyrogenic organic matter (PyOM) to soil have been shown to both increase and decrease mineralization of native soil organic carbon (nSOC). This change in mineralization rate is referred to as priming, and may have important implications for carbon (C) turnover in soil. This study quantifies both positive and negative priming mechanisms using high-resolution carbon dioxide (CO2) measurements using a series of short-term incubation experiments with 13C-labeled PyOM added to a temperate forest soil. Moisture, nutrient availability and pH were adjusted to minimize any differential effects on nSOC mineralization. Irrespective of pyrolysis temperature (200–750 °C), addition of 10 mg PyOM g−1 soil significantly decreased mineralization of nSOC. Dilution was measured against inorganic bulking materials with different surface areas and accounted for 19% of negative priming observed at day 7, and 13% at day 35. In comparison, substrate switching caused only 1% of negative priming assumed to be equivalent to PyOM mineralization itself. Inhibition did not explain reductions in nSOC mineralization since the microbial biomass did not significantly decrease (p > 0.05). Sorptive protection of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was responsible for the majority of negative priming observed with PyOM additions based on adsorption isotherm experiments as well as co-location of nSOC on PyOM surfaces shown by nanoSIMS. Maximum sorption of soil DOC was 29 times higher to PyOM pyrolyzed at 450 °C than to topsoil, and tripled with an increase in pyrolysis temperature to 750 °C. This tripling in DOC sorption potential to PyOM produced at 750 °C in comparison to 450 °C was only reflected in a less than twice lower nSOC mineralization. Sorptive protection was with 80% the dominant negative priming mechanism on monthly timescales and likely beyond. These results have implications for long-term SOC storage, because sorption has more persistent effects than substrate switching or dilution.

Effects of biochar and litter on carbon and nitrogen mineralization and soil microbial community structure in a China fir plantation

To investigate the effects of biochar addition (1 or 3%) to the soil of a China fir plantation with or without litter, we conducted a 90-day incubation experiment. We also studied the C and N dynamics and the microbial community structure of the soil. In soil without litter, the application of biochar at a rate of 3% significantly decreased CO2 emissions, while addition of 1% biochar had no effect. Biochar application did not affect the net N mineralization rate but significantly reduced the NH4+ concentration after 90 days. In litter-enriched soil, biochar application had no significant effect on total CO2 emissions; however, application of 3% biochar significantly reduced the net N mineralization rate. Biochar application to soil with or without litter immediately reduced the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration independent of the application rate, which was primarily due to sorption of DOC by the biochar. Phospholipid fatty acid analysis demonstrated that both concentrations of added biochar to soil (with or without litter) altered the soil microbial community structure at the end of incubation, although the effect of biochar was not as strong as the effect of time or litter application. The effect of biochar addition alone on microbial community structure was inconsistent over time. Litter added to soil significantly increased fungi and reduced Gram-positive bacteria. In the presence of litter, biochar applied at both 1% and 3% significantly increased (p < 0.05) the proportion of actinomycete only at day 90. Our results indicate biochar as a potentially effective measure for C sequestration in the test soil of a China fir plantation, even in the presence of litter.

Impact of organic amendments (biochar, compost and peat) on Cd and Zn mobility and solubility in contaminated soil of the Campine region after three years

To determine the long-term impact of organic amendments on metal (Cd and Zn) immobilization, soil from the Campine region was amended with holm oak-derived biochar, compost, and peat, and monitored over a 3-year period. Pot experiments were conducted by mixing the amendments independently at 2% and 4% (g/g) with the soil. The mobility and solubility of metals in the treatments were assessed by means of rhizon soil moisture samplers, sequential BCR extractions, and diffusive gradient in thin films (DGT).Over the three-year period, the 2% biochar addition resulted in an average decrease in pore water concentration of 40% for Cd and 48% for Zn whereas the 4% addition led to an average decrease of 66% for Cd and 77% for Zn. The immobilization effect in the biochar treatments was attributed to the consistently higher pH and lower concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the soil. The latter may have been caused by sorption of DOC onto the surface of biochar thereby increasing its negatively charged functional groups that are able to sorb cations. On the other hand, compost and peat had the unwanted effect of significantly increasing the concentrations of Cd and Zn in the soil pore water. This was partly due to the formation of soluble organo-metallic complexes as significantly higher DOC concentrations were found in the compost and peat treatments.Results from the DGT measurements, after a 24 h deployment time, revealed a low resupply (R ≤ 0.4) of Cd and Zn from the solid phase to the soil solution in both amended and unamended soil. This suggests a case of slow metal desorption kinetics in the soil that was relatively unchanged by the presence of organic amendments.

Insights into the attenuated sorption of organic compounds on black carbon aged in soil

Sorption of organic compounds on fresh black carbons (BCs) can be greatly attenuated in soil over time. We examined herein the changes in surface properties of maize straw-derived BCs (biochars) after aged in a black soil and their effects on the sorptive behaviors of naphthalene, phenanthrene and 1,3-dinitrobenzene. Dissolved fulvic and humic acids extracted from the soil were used to explore the role of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the aging of biochars. Chromatography analysis indicated that DOC molecules with relatively large molecular weight were preferentially adsorbed on the biochars during the aging processes. DOC sorption led to blockage of the biochar's micropores according to N2 and CO2 adsorption analyses. Surface chemistry of the biochars was also substantially modified, with more O-rich functional groups on the aged biochars compared to the original biochars, as evidenced by Near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. The changes in both the physical and chemical surface properties of biochars by DOC led to significant attenuation of the sorption capacity and nonlinearity of the nonionic organic compounds on the aged biochars. Among the tested organic compounds, phenanthrene was the most attenuated in its sorption by the aging treatments, possibly because of its relatively large molecular size and hydrophobicity. The information can help gain a mechanistic understanding of interactions between BCs and organic compounds in soil environment.

Lower residue decomposition in historically charcoal-enriched soils is related to increased adsorption of organic matter

Previous field observations have shown increased soil carbon (C) sequestration in charcoal amended soils due to an accumulation of non-charcoal derived soil C. This study was set up to compare and analyse mineralization of non-charcoal derived C between soils that were either or not historically enriched in charcoal. Maize straw (13C-enriched) was added to samples of arable soil collected under historical charcoal kilns and corresponding adjacent control soil. The respiration was monitored in laboratory conditions for 227 days. Charcoal in soil significantly lowered total soil respiration (1905 vs. 1984 mg C kg−1). Mineralization of 13C-enriched added maize C (AMC) was unaffected by charcoal in the initial weeks after maize straw addition, however differences became significant at longer incubations yielding a markedly lower mineralized fraction in the charcoal enriched samples after 227 days (70 versus 62%, P < 0.05). A two fraction mineralization model revealed no charcoal effect on the labile fraction and its degradation but that the stable fraction of AMC was larger and degraded slower in the presence of charcoal. A soil drying-rewetting event (35 days) increased respiration to the same extent in charcoal-enriched as in adjacent soils. In contrast, the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in pore water was significantly lower in charcoal-enriched than in adjacent soils. Microbial biomass-C (MBC) determined by fumigation-centrifugation was not significantly different between charcoal-enriched and adjacent soil (309 mg vs. 266 mg MBC kg−1). A soil adsorption experiment with DOC, extracted from a grassland soil, revealed larger DOC sorption with increasing soil charcoal concentration. This study shows that reduced C mineralization of non-charcoal C in charcoal-enriched soil is most likely related to enhanced sorption of more recalcitrant organic matter, rather than to lower MBC.

Aquatic DOC export from subarctic Atlantic blanket bog in Norway is controlled by seasalt deposition, temperature and precipitation

Comprehensive and credible peatland carbon budgets, needed for global carbon accounting, must include lateral aquatic organic carbon export. Here, we quantify aquatic dissolved organic carbon (DOC) export for an Atlantic bog in subarctic Norway, the Andoya peatland, and test for sensitivity to climatic drivers. Hydrology, DOC concentrations and DOC export were simulated for 2000–2013 using the process-based catchment model Integrated Catchments model for Carbon (INCA-C), calibrated to site-specific water chemistry and hydrology (2011–2014) using readily-available data on temperature, precipitation and seasalt deposition. Measured streamwater DOC declined under seasalt episodes and was strongly positively related to temperature. Model calibrations successfully reproduced the water balance, variation in runoff (R2 = 0.67; Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency NS = 0.67) and DOC concentrations (R2 = 0.85; NS = 0.84). The most sensitive model parameters related to temperature-sensitivity of DOC production and DOC (de)sorption sensitivity to seasalts. Model uncertainty related to parameter space was similar to interannual variation in DOC export. Mean annual modelled DOC export was 7.2 ± 0.7 g C m−2 year−1, roughly 35 % of the net land–atmospheric CO2 exchange at Andoya from 2009 to 2012 (estimated elsewhere). Current and antecedent mean temperature and precipitation were strong drivers of seasonal modelled DOC export, implying that warmer and wetter summers will lead to more DOC export. Evaluation of similar climate impacts on net peatland carbon accumulation requires additional exploration of the climate-sensitivity of land–atmosphere fluxes of CO2 and methane. Process-based models are valuable tools to account for lateral DOC exports in carbon balances of northern peatlands, especially where long-term monitoring data are lacking.

Understanding the implications of dissolved organic carbon when assessing antagonism in vitro: An example with an estrogen receptor assay

Both estrogenic and anti-estrogenic activity has been observed in water samples. Some studies have suggested that dissolved organic carbon (DOC), which can be co-extracted during sample enrichment, contributes to the apparent antagonistic effect. DOC has a high sorption capacity for the estrogen receptor (ER) agonist 17β-estradiol, which may reduce the available 17β-estradiol concentration in the antagonist testing mode and potentially lead to apparent antagonism. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of DOC when assessing antagonism in an ER reporter gene assay. The presence of DOC shifted the 17β-estradiol concentration-effect curve to higher concentrations, increasing the nominal EC50 value by up to 0.3 log units. However, this shift was within the usual variability associated with repeated measurements of concentration-effect curves. This shift was not due to DOC being an antagonist itself or interfering with fluorescence measurements, but was due to DOC reducing the bioavailability of 17β-estradiol. This was demonstrated by modelling the DOC sorption corrected 17β-estradiol concentration using experimental DOC-water partition coefficients (KDOC). While the shift in the 17β-estradiol concentration-effect curve was minor, sorption of 17β-estradiol to DOC can have an impact when assessing antagonism. At the EC50 agonist concentration, both modelled and experimental results showed that DOC at concentrations similar to that co-extracted in water samples caused suppression of the agonist at levels that would be classified as antagonism. The suppression was less pronounced at the EC80 agonist concentration, hence this is recommended when assessing antagonism of DOC rich samples, such as surface water and wastewater.

Dissolved organic carbon quality and sorption of organic pollutants in the Baltic Sea in light of future climate change.

Regional climate change scenarios predict increased temperature and precipitation in the northern Baltic Sea, leading to a greater runoff of fresh water and terrestrial dissolved organic carbon (DOC) within the second part of the 21st century. As a result, the current north to south gradient in temperature and salinity is likely to be shifted further toward the south. To examine if such climate change effects would cause alterations in the environmental fate of organic pollutants, spatial variations of DOC quality and sorption behavior toward organic contaminants were examined using multiple analytical methods. The results showed declining contents of aromatic functional groups in DOC along a north to south gradient. Similarly, the sorption of a diverse set of organic contaminants to DOC also showed spatial differences. The sorption behavior of these contaminants was modeled using poly parameter linear energy relationships. The resulting molecular descriptors indicated clear differences in the sorption properties of DOC sampled in northern and southern parts of the Baltic Sea, which imply that more organic contaminants are sorbed to DOC in the northern part. The extent of this sorption process determines whether individual contaminants will partition to biota via direct uptake or through sorption to DOC, which serves as food source for bacteria-based food-webs.

可溶性有机碳在米槠天然林不同土层中的迁移特征

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 可溶性有机碳在米槠天然林不同土层中的迁移特征 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201310272590 作者: 作者单位: 福建师范大学地理科学学院,湿润亚热带山地生态国家重点实验室培育基地,湿润亚热带山地生态国家重点实验室培育基地,福建师范大学地理科学学院,湿润亚热带山地生态国家重点实验室培育基地,湿润亚热带山地生态国家重点实验室培育基地 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家自然科学青年基金项目(31100467); 福建师范大学优秀青年骨干教师培养基金(fjsdky2012008); 国家自然科学基金重点项目(31130013); 福建省自然科学青年基金项目(2011J05105); 高等学校博士学科点专项科研基金(优先发展领域)(20113503130001) Transport characteristics of dissolved organic carbon in different soil horizons in natural Castanopsis carlesii forest Author: Affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Mountain Ecology,State Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Mountain Ecology,State Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Mountain Ecology,State Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Mountain Ecology,State Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Mountain Ecology,State Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Mountain Ecology Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:选取我国中亚热带典型的常绿阔叶林米槠天然林(Castanopsis carlesii)为研究对象,采集林内米槠凋落物并通过挖剖面法分6个土层采集土样至1 m。通过浸提米槠凋落物得到可溶性有机碳(dissolved organic carbon,DOC)溶液并在室内模拟其在不同土层的淋溶过程,不仅分析了土壤性质对DOC淋溶的影响,还研究了淋溶前后DOC化学结构的变化,以阐明DOC在不同土层中的迁移特征及影响因素,探寻米槠天然林土壤的固碳潜力和DOC在土壤有机碳循环中的作用。结果表明:(1)下层土壤比上层土壤吸附DOC的能力更强,亲水性DOC与疏水性DOC间会争夺土壤颗粒表面的吸附位点,而且芳香化合物和大分子物质等疏水性DOC组分会被优先吸附;(2)红外光谱表明,芳香类和醚类等疏水性物质会优先被吸附,烷烃类物质却不易被吸附,土壤中原有的酚、醇类亲水性物质会被初始DOC中的疏水性物质置换出来;(3)土壤DOC的截留能力与粘粒、游离氧化铁含量呈极显著正相关,而与土壤有机碳和砂粒含量呈极显著负相关,其中土壤有机碳的含量是影响米槠天然林不同土层DOC截留量的关键因素。 Abstract:Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is a mixture of organic compounds with varying molecular sizes and weights. In forest ecosystems, litterfall is a major aboveground resource of DOC, which supplies soils with carbon as a crucial component of terrestrial biogeochemical cycles. During the migration of litterfall-derived DOC from topsoils to subsoils, soils might retain, transform, or release DOC, depending on the chemical nature of DOC and its interactions with soil surfaces. These physicochemical processes contribute considerably to soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation. It is generally accepted that soil properties have a great influence on the interaction between soil surface and DOC, with Fe/Al oxides constraining DOC losses and high SOC content being usually negatively correlated to DOC sorption. However, an inconsistency still remains regarding the extent to which soils properties impact DOC movement. In some cases topsoils rich in SOC might demonstrate higher DOC retention capacity. Although subsoils with abundant Fe/Al oxides are considered to have a stronger DOC retention capacity, relatively lower SOC content is often found in subsoils, and direct evidence for their higher carbon sequestration potential is rare. One reason for this maybe the amount of DOC from aboveground litterfall, which is not sufficient and little DOC can reach subsoils. Another reason might be that highly sorptive DOC is preferentially absorbed by topsoils, and DOC that reaches subsoils has a weak affinity for soil surfaces. Supplying individual soil horizons with a common DOC solution is thus a good way to differentiate their carbon sequestration capacities. Natural Castanopsis carlesii forests are dominant evergreen broad-leaf forests in mid-subtropical China, and interaction between litterfall derived DOC and red soil (Ferralic Cambisols, World Reference Base) is now recognized as one of the most important mechanisms of C sequestration in this region. To solve inconsistencies about factors controlling DOC translocation in soils and to provide direct information to differentiate carbon sequestration potential between soil horizons, a 200-year-old natural Castanopsis carlesii forest without human interference was selected for undecomposed litter collection and soil sampling at the depth of 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, 20-40 cm, 40-60 cm, 60-80 cm, 80-100 cm from each of the three profiles in the site. After extracting DOC from the collected litter with ultrapure water, we supplied individual soil cores with the common DOC in the laboratory. We not only analyzed the influences of soil properties on DOC interception, but also studied the changes in structural composition of DOC before and after leaching. The results showed that: (1) DOC interception in subsoils was greater than that in topsoils. Hydrophilic and hydrophobic DOC competed for binding sites on soil surfaces, and aromatic compounds and macromolecular substances of hydrophobic components were preferentially adsorbed by soils; (2) infrared spectrum suggested that hydrophobic materials such as aromatic substances and ethers were much more ready to be adsorbed than alkane materials, while indigenous hydrophilic substances such as phenols, alcohols could be displaced by hydrophobic components of DOC; (3) there was significant positive correlation between DOC interception and the content of clay and free iron oxide and significant negative correlation between DOC interception and the content of sand and soil organic carbon. Soil organic carbon content was the key factor affecting DOC interception in different soil horizons in natural Castanopsis carlesii forest. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Potential adsorption of dissolved organic matter in poorly podzolised, high-latitude soils

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays an essential role in many biogeochemical processes in soil and water, and the retention of DOM in soils influences the amount and composition of DOM exported from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems. Adsorption in soil mineral horizons is considered a main mechanism by which DOM is retained and stabilised in soils, and podzol soils have received attention due to their capacity to retain DOM in the mineral B horizon. With the projected increase in temperature and precipitation at higher latitudes, the transport of organic matter is expected to increase, but few studies have investigated the adsorption of DOM in poorly podzolised soils at higher latitudes. In this study, we used batch equilibrium experiments to investigate the potential for DOM adsorption in the B horizon of poorly podzolised soils from a confined area in Neiden, northern Norway. We used the Initial Mass (IM) isotherm to describe the amount of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removed from or released to solution by the soil as a linear function of the amount of DOC added to the soil–water suspension.Our results suggest that the affinity for DOC of B horizons in poorly podzolised high-latitude soils is largely determined by the content of amorphous Fe and Al oxides, where adsorption is limited by the saturation of amorphous Fe and Al with organic matter. The B horizons show a relatively large variation in DOC sorption characteristics, with an overall low potential to adsorb added DOC at field relevant DOC concentrations. Six out of twelve B horizons show a net DOC desorption over the whole range of added DOC (0–480mgCkg−1 soil). These findings indicate a limited potential for retention and stabilisation of DOM in poorly podzolised soils at higher latitudes in a warmer and wetter climate.