Controls on the storage of organic carbon in permafrost soil in northern Siberia

verfasst von

J. Palmtag, J. Ramage, G. Hugelius, N. Gentsch, N. Lashchinskiy, A. Richter, P. Kuhry

Abstract

This research examined soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN) and aboveground phytomass carbon (PhC) stocks in two areas of the Taymyr Peninsula, northern Siberia. We combined field sampling, chemical and ¹⁴C radiocarbon dating analyses with land cover classifications for landscape-level assessments. The estimated mean for the 0–100-cm depth SOC stocks was 14.8 and 20.8 kg C m⁻² in Ary-Mas and Logata, respectively. The corresponding values for TN were 1.0 and 1.3 kg N m⁻². On average, about 2% only (range 0–12%) of the total ecosystem C is stored in PhC. In both study areas about 34% of the SOC at 0–100 cm is stored in cryoturbated pockets, which have formed since at least the early Holocene. The larger carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio of this cryoturbated material indicates that it consists of relatively undecomposed soil organic matter (SOM). There are substantial differences in SOC stocks and SOM properties within and between the two study areas, which emphasizes the need to consider both geomorphology and soil texture in the assessment of landscape-level and regional SOC stocks. Highlights: This research addresses landscape-scale and regional variation in SOC stocks. Landform and soil texture are taken into account in the analysis. The contribution of phytomass to total ecosystem C stored is limited. Large SOC stocks are susceptible to decomposition following permafrost thaw.

Organisationseinheit(en)

Institut für Bodenkunde
AG Bodenchemie

Externe Organisation(en)

Stockholm University
Alfred-Wegener-Institut (AWI) Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung
Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Universität Wien

Typ

Artikel

Journal

European journal of soil science

Band

67

Seiten

478-491

Anzahl der Seiten

14

ISSN

1351-0754

Publikationsdatum

15.07.2016

Publikationsstatus

Veröffentlicht

Peer-reviewed

Ja

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Bodenkunde

Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung

SDG 15 – Lebensraum Land

Elektronische Version(en)

https://doi.org/10.1111/ejss.12357 (Zugang: Geschlossen)