Short-term effects on soil of biogas digestate, biochar and their combinations

Soil Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Cardelli ◽  
Gabriele Giussani ◽  
Fausto Marchini ◽  
Alessandro Saviozzi
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Co2 Production ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Soil Microbial

The use of the residual material from waste aerobic digestion and biochar as amendments is currently discussed in the literature concerning the positive and negative effects on soil quality. We assessed the suitability of digestate (D) from biogas production and green biochar (B) to improve soil biological activity and antioxidant capacity and investigated whether there is an interaction between digestate and biochar applied to soil in combination. In a short-term (100-days) laboratory incubation, we monitored soil chemical and biological parameters. We compared soil amendments with 1% D (D1), 5% D (D5), 1% B (B), digestate–biochar combinations (D1+B and D5+B), and soil with no amendment. In D5, CO2 production, antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and dehydrogenase activity (DH-ase) and the contents of microbial biomass C, DOC and alkali-soluble phenols increased to the highest level. The biochar increased the total organic C (TOC) and TEAC of soil but decreased DOC, CO2 production, microbial biomass C, and DH-ase. The addition of biochar to digestate reduced soluble compounds (DOC and phenols), thus limiting the amount and activity of the soil microbial biomass (CO2 production and DH-ase). After 100 days of incubation D5+B showed the highest TOC content (82.8% of the initial amount). Both applied alone and in combination with digestate, the biochar appears to enrich the soil C sink by reducing CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.

Dynamics of soil microbial biomass C, soluble organic C and CO2 evolution after three years of manure application

1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Rochette ◽  
E. G. Gregorich
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Soil Respiration ◽  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Soil Microbial Biomass ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Manure Amendments ◽  
Soluble C

Application of manure and fertilizer affects the rate and extent of mineralization and sequestration of C in soil. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of 3 yr of application of N fertilizer and different manure amendments on CO2 evolution and the dynamics of soil microbial biomass and soluble C in the field. Soil respiration, soluble organic C and microbial biomass C were measured at intervals over the growing season in maize soils amended with stockpiled or rotted manure, N fertilizer (200 kg N ha−1) and with no amendments (control). Manure amendments increased soil respiration and levels of soluble organic C and microbial biomass C by a factor of 2 to 3 compared with the control, whereas the N fertilizer had little effect on any parameter. Soil temperature explained most of the variations in CO2 flux (78 to 95%) in each treatment, but data from all treatments could not be fitted to a unique relationship. Increases in CO2 emission and soluble C resulting from manure amendments were strongly correlated (r2 = 0.75) with soil temperature. This observation confirms that soluble C is an active C pool affected by biological activity. The positive correlation between soluble organic C and soil temperature also suggests that production of soluble C increases more than mineralization of soluble C as temperature increases. The total manure-derived CO2-C was equivalent to 52% of the applied stockpiled-manure C and 67% of the applied rotted-manure C. Estimates of average turnover rates of microbial biomass ranged between 0.72 and 1.22 yr−1 and were lowest in manured soils. Manured soils also had large quantities of soluble C with a slower turnover rate than that in either fertilized or unamended soils. Key words: Soil respiration, greenhouse gas, soil carbon

scholarly journals Effects of liming on the microbial biomass and its activities in soils long-term contaminated by toxic elements

2011 ◽  
Vol 52 (No. 8) ◽  
pp. 345-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Mühlbachová ◽  
P. Tlustoš
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Soil Microbial Biomass ◽  
Respiratory Activity ◽  
Soil Microbial Communities ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Lead Smelter ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Hydrogen Carbonates

The effects of liming by CaO and CaCO<sub>3</sub> on soil microbial characteristics were studied during laboratory incubation of long-term contaminated arable and grassland soils from the vicinity of lead smelter near Př&iacute;bram (Czech Republic). The CaO treatment showed significant negative effects on soil microbial biomass C and its respiratory activity in both studied soils, despite the fact that microbial biomass C in the grassland soil increased sharply during the first day of incubation. The metabolic quotient (qCO<sub>2</sub>) in soils amended by CaO showed greater values than the control from the second day of incubation, indicating a possible stress of soil microbial pool. The vulnerability of organic matter to CaO could be indicated by the availability of K<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>-extractable carbon that increased sharply, particularly at the beginning of the experiment. The amendment of soils by CaCO<sub>3 </sub>moderately increased the soil microbial biomass. The respiratory activity and qCO<sub>2</sub> increased sharply during the first day of incubation, however it is not possible to ascribe them only to microbial activities, but also to CaCO<sub>3</sub> decomposition in hydrogen carbonates, water and CO<sub>2</sub>. The pH values increased more sharply under CaO treatment in comparison to CaCO<sub>3</sub> treatment. The improvement of soil pH by CaCO<sub>3</sub> could be therefore more convenient for soil microbial communities.

Soil C extracted with water or K2SO4: pH effect on determination of microbial biomass

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 529-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. Haney ◽  
A. J. Franzluebbers ◽  
F. M. Hons ◽  
D. A. Zuberer
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Ph Effect ◽  
Calcareous Soils ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
The Past ◽  
Chloroform Fumigation ◽  
Fumigation Extraction

Routine determination of soil microbial biomass C has shifted during the past decade from chloroform fumigation-incubation to chloroform fumigation-extraction using 0.5 M K2SO4 as extractant. We compared extractable C with water and 0.5 M K2SO4 in eight soils ranging in pH from 5.4 to 8.3. In unfumigated soils with low pH, extractable C was 0.8- to 1.2-fold greater with water than with 0.5 M K2SO4. However, in unfumigated soils with pH > 7.7, extractable C, although not statistically significant, was 11 to 19% less with water than with 0.5 M K2SO4. In fumigated soils, no difference in extractable C between water and 0.5 M K2SO4 was detected among soils with pH < 7.7, but extractable C was 13 to 17% less with water than with 0.5 M K2SO4 with pH > 7.7. Our results suggest that 0.5 M K2SO4 (1) may flocculate soil and cause adsorption of solubilized C onto colloids at pH < 7.7, but (2) may disperse calcareous soils at pH > 7.7, thereby differentially affecting the fate of solubilized C depending upon soil pH. Our results put into question the widespread adaptability of using chloroform fumigation-extraction to estimate microbial biomass C. Key words: Extractable carbon, chloroform fumigation-extraction, microbial biomass

Soil microbial biomass, labile and total carbon levels of grazed sown and native pastures in northern New South Wales

2006 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
pp. 837 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. Lodge ◽  
K. L. King
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Soil Microbial Biomass ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Labile C ◽  
Microbial Quotient ◽  
Total Organic C

Studies were conducted at 3 pasture sites in northern New South Wales to examine the effects of grazing treatments over 4 years (spring 1997 to spring 2001) on soil microbial biomass carbon (C), labile C, total C, and total nitrogen (N). These data were collected (0–0.05 m soil depth) at 9 sampling times in 2 replicates of 5 (native pastures) or 4 (a sown pasture) grazing treatments and examined for differences over time using cubic spline analyses. For each site, differences among grazing treatments were also examined in spring 2001 for herbage, litter, and root mass (kg DM/ha), ground cover (%), and perennial grass basal cover (%). Indices were also calculated for the C pool index (CPI), lability index (LI), a carbon management index (CMI), and the microbial quotient. Relationships among microbial biomass C, labile C, total organic C, CPI, LI, CMI, microbial quotient, herbage mass, litter mass, and ground cover were examined by linear regression and correlation analyses. For each of the sites, treatment differences in the linear trend over time for soil microbial biomass C, labile C, total organic C, or total N were not significantly different (P > 0.05). In spring 2001, (4 years after treatments commenced) there were also no significant effects of treatments within sites on soil total organic C and none of the indices (lability of C, CPI, LI, CMI, or the microbial quotient) indicated any distinct trends among treatments. However, in spring 2001, there were significant (P < 0.05) treatment effects at both native pasture sites for herbage mass, litter mass, and ground cover. Similarly, in autumn 2001, herbage mass, root mass, and perennial grass basal cover were lowest (P < 0.05) in the continuously grazed high-stocking rate treatment at the sown pasture site. For all data, microbial biomass C was 10.35% of labile C and labile C was 21.60% of total C. From autumn 1998 to spring 2001, labile C was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with total C (r = 0.72) and in spring 2001, these 2 variables were also highly correlated (r = 0.98).

scholarly journals Evaluation some important microbiological parameters of the carbon cycle in chernozem soils profiles

2016 ◽  
pp. 33-39
Author(s):  
János Kátai ◽  
Zsolt Sándor ◽  
Magdolna Tállai ◽  
Ágnes Zsuposné Oáh
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Carbon Cycle ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽  
Close Correlation ◽  
Co2 Production ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Soil Profiles ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
Organic C

Some chemical and microbiological properties of the carbon cycle were investigated in three chernozem soil profiles. The soil profiles originated from a long term fertilization experiment (potato) of the University of Debrecen, Látókép, Kryvyi Rig Botanic Garden (grassland) and a large-scale farm (sunflower) of Ukraine. The results of the organic C-content, total number of bacteria, microscopical fungi, cellulose decomposing bacteria, CO2-production, microbial biomass carbon and saccharase and dehydrogenase activities were compared and evaluated with the help of correlation analyses. Close correlation was found between the organic carbon content and the number of microscopical fungi,, saccharase and dehydrogenase enzymes’ activities, as well as close correlation was found between the dehydrogenase activity and microbial biomass-C and saccharase activity.

scholarly journals Parent material and organic matter control soil microbial processes in African tropical rainforests 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Kidinda Kidinda ◽  
Folasade Kemi Ologoke ◽  
Cordula Vogel ◽  
Karsten Kalbitz ◽  
Sebastian Doetterl
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Tropical Rainforest ◽  
Parent Material ◽  
Microbial Processes ◽  
Tropical Rainforests ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Microbial C ◽  
C Limitation

&lt;p&gt;Microbial processes are one of the key factors driving carbon (C) and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems, and are strongly controlled by the equilibrium between resource availability and demand. In deeply weathered tropical rainforest soils of Africa, it remains unclear whether patterns of microbial processes differ between soils developed from geochemically contrasting parent material. Here, we investigate patterns of soil microbial processes and their controls in tropical rainforests of Africa. We used soil developed from three geochemically distinct parent material (mafic, felsic, mixed sedimentary rocks) and three soil depths (0&amp;#8722;70 cm). We measured microbial biomass C and enzyme activity at the beginning and end of a 120-day incubation experiment. We also conducted a vector analysis based on ecoenzymatic stoichiometry to assess microbial C and nutrient limitations. We found that microbial C limitation was highest in the mixed sedimentary region and lowest in the felsic region, which we propose was related to the strength of contrasting C stabilization mechanisms and varying C quality. None of the investigated regions and soil depths showed signs of nitrogen (N) limitation for microbial processes. Microbial phosphorus (P) limitation increased with soil depth, indicating that subsoils in the investigated soils were depleted in rock-derived nutrients and are therefore dependent on efficient nutrient recycling. Microbial C limitation was lowest in subsoils, indicating that subsoil microbes cannot significantly participate in C cycling and limit C storage if oxygen is not available, but can do so in our laboratory incubation experiment under well aerated conditions. Using multivariable regressions, we demonstrate that microbial biomass C normalized to soil organic C content (MBC&lt;sub&gt;SOC&lt;/sub&gt;) is controlled by soil geochemistry and substrate quality, while microbial biomass C normalized to soil weight (MBC&lt;sub&gt;Soil&lt;/sub&gt;) is predominantly driven by resource distribution (i.e., depth distribution of organic C). We conclude that due to differences in resource availability, microbial processes in deeply weathered tropical rainforest soils greatly vary across geochemical regions.&lt;/p&gt;

ALLOCATION AND MICROBIAL UTILIZATION OF C IN TWO SOILS CROPPED TO BARLEY

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 495-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. D. DINWOODIE ◽  
N. G. JUMA
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Black Soil ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Microbial Utilization ◽  
Below Ground ◽  
Microbial C ◽  
Soluble C

This study was undertaken to compare some aspects of carbon cycling in a Gray Luvisol at Breton and a Black soil at Ellerslie, Alberta cropped to barley. Comparisons of the above and below-ground allocation of carbon, distribution of carbon in soil, and microbial use of carbon were made between sites. Shoot C, root C, microbial biomass C, soil organic C, water soluble organic C, and polysaccharide C were measured on four dates between 31 July and 20 Oct. 1986. The total quantity of carbon in the soil-plant system at Ellerslie (17.2 kg C m−2) was greater than at Breton (6.6 kg C m−2). On average shoot C at Ellerslie (247 g C m−2) was greater than at Breton (147 g m−2). The quantity of root C (avg. 21 g C m−2) was the same at both sites resulting in higher shoot C:root C ratios at Ellerslie than Breton. Microbial biomass (expressed as g C m−2 or g C g−1 root C) was one to two times lower at Breton than at Ellerslie but respiration (g CO2-C g−1 microbial biomass C) during a 10-d laboratory incubation was two to four times greater. Microbial biomass C, soluble C and polysaccharide C expressed as mg C g−1 of soil were less at Breton than Ellerslie. However when these data were compared on a relative basis in terms of soil C (g C g−1 soil C), microbial biomass C and soluble C were higher at Breton than Ellerslie. Polysaccharide C was the same at both sites. Although the microbial biomass was smaller at Breton than at Ellerslie, more carbon was lost from the system by microbial respiration and a greater proportion of the carbon in the soil was in microbial and soluble C pools. Soil characteristics, and cropping history affected the amount of carbon stabilized in soil. Key words: Chernozemic, Luvisolic, microbial C, soluble C, polysaccharide C, soil organic matter, barley

scholarly journals Relative contribution of plant traits and soil properties to the functioning of a temperate forest ecosystem in the Indian Himalayas

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Rawat ◽  
Kusum Arunachalam ◽  
Ayyandar Arunachalam ◽  
Juha Alatalo ◽  
Ujjwal Kumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Temperate Forest ◽  
Soil Microbial Biomass ◽  
Plant Traits ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Soil Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Leaf N

Plant-soil interactions are a major determinant of changes in forest ecosystem processes and functioning. We conducted a trait-based study to quantify the contribution of plant traits and soil properties to above- and below-ground ecosystem properties in temperate forest in the Indian Himalayas. Nine plant traits (leaf area, specific leaf area, leaf water content, leaf dry matter content, leaf carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), leaf C/N, and leaf N/P) and eight soil properties (pH, moisture, available N, P, potassium (K), total C, N, P) were selected for determination of their contribution to major ecosystem processes (above-ground biomass C, soil organic C, soil microbial biomass C, N, and P, and soil respiration) in temperate forest. Among the plant traits studied, leaf C, N, P, and leaf N/P ratio proved to be the main contributors to above-ground biomass, explaining 20-27% of variation. Leaf N, P, and leaf N/P were the main contributors to below-ground soil organic C, soil microbial biomass C, N, and P, and soil respiration (explaining 33% of variation). Together, the soil properties pH, available P, total N and C explained 60% of variation in above-ground biomass, while pH and total C explained 56% of variation in soil organic C. Other soil properties (available P, total C and N) also explained much of the variation in soil microbial biomass C (52%) and N (67%), while soil pH explained some of variation in soil microbial biomass N (14%). Available P, total N, and pH explained soil microbial biomass P (81%), while soil respiration was only explained by soil total C (70%). Thusleaf traits and soil characteristics make a significant contribution to explaining variations in above- and below-ground ecosystem processes and functioning in temperate forest in the Indian Himalayas. Consequently, tree species for afforestation, restoration, and commercial forestryshould be carefully selected, as they can influence the climate change mitigation potential of forest in terms of C stocks in biomass and soils.

Carbon and N turnover in moist sandy soil following short exposure to a range of high soil temperature regimes

Soil Research ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 46 (8) ◽  
pp. 710 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Luxhøi ◽  
I. R. P. Fillery ◽  
S. Recous ◽  
L. S. Jensen
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Co2 Production ◽  
Short Exposure ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
N Mineralisation ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
High Soil ◽  
Temperature Regimes ◽  
Soil Temperatures

Laboratory experiments were undertaken to examine the effects of high soil temperatures on N biotransformations in sandy soils. Soils were incubated at 30°, 40°, 50°, and 60°C for 2 days, before all treatments were kept at 30°C for up to 41 days. Another laboratory experiment evaluated the effect of different cycles of exposure to 50° and 30°C, including frequency and duration of exposure to 50°C, to assess the sensitivity of N biotransformations to temporary increases in temperature in the high range. CO2-C production, soil microbial biomass-C, gross N mineralisation, gross N immobilisation, and potential gross nitrification were measured. Gross N mineralisation and CO2-C production increased with temperature (in the range 30°−50°C) and exhibited a Q10-relationship close to 2. Between 50° and 60°C, Q10 was closer to 2.8. The increase in gross N mineralisation and CO2-C production after exposure to 50° and 60°C is attributed to the decomposition of dead microbial biomass by the viable microbial population but this flush in activity was short-lived. Immobilisation rate was always low and remained unaffected by the temperature regime, probably because the growth of the microbial biomass was inhibited at the higher temperatures. This imbalance between gross N mineralisation and immobilisation resulted in rapid increases in mineral N in soil. Two 6-h cycles of 50°C interspersed with 30°C were equally as effective as a single 48-h exposure at stimulating CO2 production. Evidence of uncoupling CO2 production and gross N mineralisation was observed in one study where soil was incubated at 50°C, but this response was not universal. The nitrification process was totally suppressed by exposure to temperature higher than 40°C, probably due to thermal denaturation of enzymes. The relevance of findings to field conditions is discussed.

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