Controls on the dynamics of dissolved organic matter in soils: A review

Journal Article · Sat Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 2000 · Soil Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00010694-200004000-00001· OSTI ID:20067687

Kalbitz, K; Solinger, S; Park, J H; Michalzik, B; Matzner, E

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in soils plays an important role in the biogeochemistry of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, in pedogenesis, and in the transport of pollutants in soils. The aim of this review is to summarize the recent literature about controls on DOM concentrations and fluxes in soils. The authors focus on comparing results between laboratory and field investigations and on the differences between the dynamics of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nitrogen (DON), and phosphorus (DOP). Both laboratory and field studies show that litter and humus are the most important DOM sources in soils. However, it is impossible to quantify the individual contributions of each of these sources to DOM release. In addition, it is not clear how changes in the pool sizes of litter or humus may affect DOM release. High microbial activity, high fungal abundance, and any conditions that enhance mineralization all promote high DOM concentrations. However, under field conditions, hydrologic variability in soil horizons with high carbon contents may be more important than biotic controls. In subsoil horizons with low carbon contents, DOM may be adsorbed strongly to mineral surfaces, resulting in low DOM concentrations in the soil solution. There are strong indications that microbial degradation of DOM also controls the fate of DOM in the soil.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Bayreuth (DE)
• OSTI ID: 20067687
• Journal Information: Soil Science, Journal Name: Soil Science Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 165; ISSN SOSCAK; ISSN 0038-075X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BENCH-SCALE EXPERIMENTS
BIOGEOCHEMISTRY
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FIELD TESTS
NITRATES
ORGANIC MATTER
PHOSPHATES
SOILS