Methods for determining the organic carbon content in soils (critical review)

The paper presents theoretical basis of the methods for determining the content of soil organic carbon (SOC) both by direct dry combustion using automated analyzers and indirectly – by I.V. Tyurin and Walkley–Black oxidation. Author's and literature experimental data of SOC analyses in various soils by these methods are presented. Comparative analysis of the above data showed that in some cases the content of SOC determined by oxidability is lower than the one obtained by dry combustion (in most cases), while in others, on the contrary, the content of SOC is higher. This conclusion fully complies with the theoretical views of I.V. Tyurin on the chemical nature of soil organic matter (SOM). A schematic description of determining the content of total (organic) carbon in non-carbonate soils by dry combustion method using automated analyzers Leco (USA) and AH-7529 (Gomel, Belarus) is given. It was pointed out that it is difficult to determine SOC content by dry combustion method with automated analyzers in carbonate soils. For these soils it is recommended to determine the content of inorganic carbon by decomposition of carbonates with HClO₄ solution using express analyzer AN-7529. The direct method of determining the content of SOC has the best metrological characteristics compared to ones of the indirect method, which convincingly confirms the authoritative opinions of Schollenberg and Tyurin about the inaccuracy of the latter. It is concluded that the indicators determined by the methods of Tyurin and Walkley–Black and dry combustion are chemically independent, characterizing, respectively, the oxidability and organic carbon content of SOM. It is recommended to use dry combustion method with automated analyzers when monitoring the content and stocks of organic carbon in soils. 

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