Distribution of the isotopic composition of carbon between components of organic matter in virgin and cultivated typical chernozems (Haplic Chernozem)

Using the method of granular-densitometric fractionation, pools of organic matter (OM) of different localization in the soil matrix were isolated from the surface horizons of Haplic Chernozem of the contrasting land use variants (steppe and bare fallow) (Kursk region). Isotope analysis demonstrated that the localization of OM in the soil matrix can be considered as a critical condition for its biodegradation. OM pools of different localization in the soil matrix (free (LF_fr), occluded OM (LF_occ); OM of clay fractions (Clay), OM of the Residue fraction (Res)) are subjected to varying degrees of microbial processing, which leads to fractionation of ¹³C fractionation and is reflected in their differences isotopic signature (δ¹³С): the δ¹³C value of mineral-associated OM (Clay + Res) is higher compared to that of discrete OM (LF_fr +LF_occ). Under conditions of a long bare fallow regime (52 years), due to the almost complete absence of fresh plant material inputs for a long time, the isotopic signature of all studied OM pools, excluding LFfr, shifted towards the ¹³C enrichment of OM due to the substrate effect, accompanied by increased isotopic discrimination with an increase in the number of microbial recycling cycles. The presented conceptual scheme of carbon (C) fluxes in a system of OM pools in native conditions (steppe) demonstrates that the C flow of plant origin (high probability) goes from LF_fr to the Res through microaggregates within aggregates (mA) consisting of occluded OM and Clay-bound OMIt was revealed that, despite the fact that in the bare fallow the main pathways of OM formation remained the same, their probability decreased sharply compared to those in the steppe, apparently as a result of a slowdown in microbial activity caused by sharp negative changes in the OM quality. 

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