Geochemical indicators are emerging as important predictors of soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics, but evidence concerning the role of calcium (Ca) is scarce. This study investigates the role of Ca prevalence in SOC accumulation by comparing otherwise similar sites with (CaCO3-bearing) or without carbonates (CaCO3-free). We measured the SOC content and indicators of organic matter quality (C stable isotope composition, expressed as δ 13C values, and thermal stability) in bulk soil samples. We then used sequential sonication and density fractionation (DF) to separate two occluded pools from free and mineral-associated SOC. The SOC content, mass, and δ 13C values were determined in all the fractions. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to investigate the surface chemistry of selected fractions. Our hypothesis was that occlusion would be more prevalent at the CaCO3-bearing site due to the influence of Ca on aggregation, inhibiting oxidative transformation, and preserving lower δ 13C values. Bulk SOC content was twice as high in the CaCO3-bearing profiles, which also had lower bulk δ 13C values, and more occluded SOC. Yet, contrary to our hypothesis, occlusion only accounted for a small proportion of total SOC (< 10%). Instead, it was the heavy fraction (HF), containing mineral-associated organic C, which accounted for the majority of total SOC and for the lower bulk δ 13C values. Overall, an increased Ca prevalence was associated with a near-doubling of mineral-associated SOC content. Future investigations should now aim to isolate Ca-mediated complexation processes that increase organo-mineral association and preserve organic matter with lower δ 13C values.
Supplementary information: The online version of this article (10.1007/s10533-021-00779-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Keywords: Carbon stable isotopes; Density fractionation; Rock-Eval® pyrolysis; Soil organic carbon; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
© The Author(s) 2021.