Humic Substances and Organic Matter δ C Signature of a South Brazilian Cambisol After Charcoal Application

摘要

Brazil is the world's greatest producer of charcoal, supplying mainly the steel industry. However, 15 % of the production is lost as charcoal fines. Thus, this residue has been proposed as a soil conditioner. Aiming to bring some light on the impact of charcoal on soil organic matter (SOM) composition and chemistry we investigated the effect of charcoal on SOM δ~(13) C signature and on the humic substances distribution of a Cambisol. About 40 Mg ha~(-1) of charcoal were applied to the soil. After 20 months, soil samples were collected (0-5; 5-10; 10-20; 20-30 cm). The soil without charcoal was also sampled. The main results were observed in the top depth, where the charcoal increased the total carbon content, mainly in its less oxidized fraction (humin). SOM δ~(13) C signature was lowered mainly in the 0-5 cm indicating that charcoal was not relevantly leached and/or incorporated to further depths.