Binding of water-extractable organic carbon to clay subsoil: effects of clay subsoil properties

Abstract

Addition of clay-rich subsoils to sandy soils can increase yield and may increase organic carbon (OC) retention in soils. The ability of clays to bind OC is likely to be influenced by clay properties, but little is known about the relative importance of properties of clay subsoils for binding of OC. A batch sorption experiment was conducted using seven clay subsoils collected from agricultural lands where claying was carried out. Clay subsoils were shaken for 17 h at 4°C with different concentrations of water-extractable OC (WEOC: 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 9.0 g kg⁻¹ soil) derived from mature wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) straw at a 1 : 10 soil : extract ratio. Sorption of WEOC was positively correlated with clay content, specific surface area and concentration of iron oxides. Further, WEOC sorption was negatively correlated with total OC content, sodium absorption ratio and cation ratio of soil structural stability. However, the relative importance of these properties for WEOC sorption differed among soils. In conclusion, OC retention in clay-amended sandy soils will be positively related to clay soil properties such as clay and Fe oxide content and specific surface area.