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

authored by

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.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Soil Science
Section Soil Chemistry

External Organisation(s)

Stockholm University
Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research
Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
University of Vienna

Type

Article

Journal

European journal of soil science

Volume

67

Pages

478-491

No. of pages

14

ISSN

1351-0754

Publication date

15.07.2016

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Soil Science

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 15 - Life on Land

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1111/ejss.12357 (Access: Closed)