Relations Between the Decomposition on Peat and SOC in Fens of Northeastern Germany

Authors:
Christian Klingenfuß, Jutta Zeitz

Book:
Proceedings of the 14th International Peat Congress

Venue:
Stockholm

Keywords:
conversion-factor, degree-of-decomposition, radicell-peat, soc, som

Documentfile:
Klingenfuss, Zeitz 2012: Relations Between the Decomposition on Peat and SOC in Fens of Northeastern Germany

Summary:

Theme IV. Chemical, physical and biological characteristics of peat

SUMMARY

Organic soils play a significant role in the climate system. In this study fen soils from Northeastern Germany were investigated concerning aspects of the soil carbon balance. Due to clarity reasons this paper is separated into two parts.

(A) Relations between the decomposition of radicell peat (von-Post-method) and contents of soil organic matter (SOM) and soil organic carbon (SOC) were identified and quantified. High negative correlations between the degree of decomposition and SOM and SOC contents were proved.

(B) Conversion factors from SOC to SOM were investigated referring to different levels of SOM and SOC contents. The calculated values ranged between 1.7 and 2.1.