Association of specific organic matter compounds in size fractions of soils under different environmental controls

Inherent chemical recalcitrance and association of organic matter (OM) with minerals are mechanisms responsible for the long term preservation of OM in soils. The structural characteristics of OM are also believed to control specific interactions between OM and soil minerals. However, the extent of the relationship between recalcitrance and mineral protection and the specificity of these chemically driven interactions are not clearly understood at the molecular level. To measure chemical patterns of OM sequestration in sand-, silt-, clay-size and light fractions, we analyzed three soils, which mainly differed in carbon content and overlying vegetation, but have similar clay mineralogy, using biomarker analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Despite differences in environmental controls, long chain aliphatic compounds generally accumulated in the fine fractions of all soils. This accumulation is likely due to the strong interaction between recalcitrant forms of OM and soil minerals. For example, polymethylene and >C20 organic acids accumulated in fine fractions, while lignin-derived phenols were protected from oxidation in silt-size fractions. Diffusion edited solution state 1H NMR suggested that contributions from microbial-derived OM was greater in finer fractions, which is likely due to the accumulation of microbial-derived compounds or higher microbial activity in clay micro-sites. Our data suggest that, for these Prairie soils, the specific structure of OM and not environmental factors is responsible for long term preservation of OM in mineral fractions. Further research is necessary to understand the interplay between these preservation mechanisms such that the long term fate of OM can be further elucidated.