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Cited by 16Soil Carbon and Nitrogen DynamicsSoil erosion and sediment transportSoil and Environmental Studies

Biased 14C-derived organic carbon turnover estimates following black carbon input to soil: an exploration with RothC

Leifeld, Jens·2008·Biogeochemistry
DOI 10.1007/s10533-008-9209-4
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Abstract

The radiocarbon signature of the atmosphere is frequently used as a tracer to derive and validate turnover estimates of soil organic carbon (SOC). Such models often rely on steady-state assumptions and presume a direct correspondence between the atmospheric signature of CO₂ and that of residues entering the soil with or without a time-lag. The input of combustion products either from recent (i.e. charcoal) or fossil sources (e.g. diesel soot) violates this premise on account of its non-continuous delivery over time, the lack of ¹⁴C in fossil black carbon (BC) and its high inertness compared to plant residues. In this study, possible effects of BC inputs (0.6-5 t BC ha⁻¹ of different ¹⁴C age and supplied at different dates) on turnover calculations are discussed using hypothetical but realistic scenarios for two sites: cold grassland and temperate cropland. The carbon turnover model RothC 26.3 was used for the simulations. Turnover times may be over- or underestimated by up to 30%, depending on the underlying scenario. In the majority of cases, such effects are more pronounced and longer lasting at the colder site owing to its slower cycling. The models' inherent inert carbon pool improves the match of turnover times compared to runs where inert carbon is not accounted for. This is, however, achieved at the expense of mismatching the amount of BC when the latter is ¹⁴C-young. The impact of BC on ¹⁴C-based turnover calculations is disproportionate with respect to its amount, and an independent record of carbon fluxes and/or BC inputs and characteristics is suggested whenever BC is assumed to play a role in the ecosystem under investigation.

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  • Simulations were greatly improved when decomposition rates were calibrated using labelled C measurements and applied to experimental evidence for poplar litter.

    “Simulations were greatly improved when decomposition rates were calibrated using labelled C measurements [173–175] and applied to the experimental evidence presented for poplar litter [78, 109].”

    From Carbon Sequestration by Perennial Energy Crops: Is the Jury Still Out? (2015) · cites this paper as [173]

  • Limitations of process-based models become more apparent at larger scales regarding soil depth, temporal resolution, and surface litter decomposition.

    “However, the limitations of process-based models become more apparent when simulating at larger scales with regard to their limits to consider the effect of soil depth [168], adequate temporal resolution [171] and surface litter decomposition [173, 174].”

    From Carbon Sequestration by Perennial Energy Crops: Is the Jury Still Out? (2015) · cites this paper as [173]

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Authors
Leifeld, J.
Affiliations
Agroscope (CH)
Corresponding author
Leifeld, Jens
ORCID
Leifeld, Jens
Venue
Biogeochemistry
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2008-05
Volume
88
Issue
3
Pages
205-211
ISSN
  • 0168-2563 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-515X
DOI
10.1007/s10533-008-9209-4
OpenAlex
W2048066038
Cited by
16
References
26
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 3
FWCI
2.03
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
Biogeochemistry (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil erosion and sediment transport
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil and Environmental Studies
Keywords
soil organic carbon turnover, black carbon, carbon-14, RothC model, fossil carbon, combustion products, charcoal, diesel soot, carbon cycle

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