Combining Rock-Eval® thermal analysis and thermochemolysis to evaluate the influence of forest management on soil organic matter quality and stability

The effect of forest management practices on carbon quality is poorly documented. To assess changes in the and stability soil organic (SOC) a temperate upon human activities, we investigated from forests (i) developed following natural regeneration after clearcutting 20 40 years ago, (ii) afforestation an abandoned crop area ago (iii) where regular clear-cut (with wood residues input) was conducted ago. Topsoil subsoil layers were collected (0–20 cm 50–80 cm). Soil matter (OM) characterized by elemental analysis (total total nitrogen), thermal (Rock-Eval®) thermochemolysis (i.e., Py-GC/MS presence tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH)). In addition, size fractionation to separate labile coarse fraction (50–2000 μm) fine (<50 µm) performed. These fractions analyzed analysis. Despite no measurable differences nitrogen contents, characterization OM analysis, relative quantification compounds revealed composition for topsoil layers. clearly distinguished sites with inputs woody (higher HI) higher contribution lignin cutin/suberin compounds. However, seems mainly controlled organo-mineral interactions rather than chemical composition. Combination Rock-Eval® suggests that cannot be used as indicator specific contexts pedogenetic processes are deeply modified extensive anthropogenic residues.