A Study of Soil Organic Matter Stability Using Derivatography and Long-Term Incubation Methods

Abstract Soil organic matter (SOM) includes many classes of labile compounds available for microbial decomposition or, conversely, stable protected from biodegradation by biological, chemical, and physical stabilization. It is believed that the more thermal energy spent on destruction soil matter, resistant it is. We compared biological stabilities in eleven types deciduous forest, forest-steppe, steppe, semidesert bioclimatic areas European Russia. According to activation ( E a ), highest SOM stability was typical ordinary chernozem meadow vertic soil. The lowest found gray forest soil; other were characterized an intermediate resistance towards oxidation. thermally pool (<390–400°C) soils average 41% (32–60%) total SOM, while (>390–400°C) 59% (40–68%). estimated ratio potentially mineralizable mineralization (biological index) decreased following order: (Haplic Chernozem (Loamic, Pachic)) > (Pellic Vertisol (Gleyic, Humic)) (Luvic Greyzemic Phaeozem (Loamic)) = chestnut (Gleyic Kastanozem (Chromic)) solonetz (Endosalic Gleyic Solonetz Cutanic)) alluvial (Eutric Fluvisol (Humic, Oxyaquic)). studied 6–27-fold lower as with parameters characterize did not correlate index. Thus, lability identical its biodegradability.