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Total Carbon, Organic Carbon, and Organic Matter

Nelson, D. W., Sommers, L. E.·1996·SSSA Book Series
DOI 10.2136/sssabookser5.3.c34
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Abstract

Total carbon (C) in soils is the sum of both organic and inorganic C. Organic C is present in the soil organic matter fraction, whereas inorganic C is largely found in carbonate minerals. The wet combustion analysis of soils by chromic acid digestion has long been a standard method for determining total C, giving results in good agreement with dry combustion. Methods for total C are basic for many of the procedures used to determine organic C in soils. In contrast to noncalcareous soils, inorganic C must be removed from calcareous or limed soils before the analysis if wet or dry combustion techniques are used to directly measure the organic C present. The organic matter content of soil may be indirectly estimated through multiplication of the organic C concentration by the ratio of organic matter to organic C commonly found in soils.

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Metadata

Authors
Nelson, D. W., & Sommers, L. E.
Venue
SSSA Book Series
Publisher
Wiley
Published
1996-01
Pages
961-1010
ISSN
  • 1047-4986 (ISSN-L)
  • 2163-2804
DOI
10.2136/sssabookser5.3.c34
OpenAlex
W1642724957
Cited by
10,491
References
0
Type
other
Language
en
Open access
closed

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