Controls on the storage of organic carbon in permafrost soil in northern Siberia

• This research examined soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN) and aboveground phytomass carbon(PhC) stocks in two areas of the Taymyr Peninsula, northern Siberia.We combined field sampling, chemical and14C radiocarbon dating analyses with land cover classifications for landscape-level assessments. The estimatedmean for the 0–100-cm depth SOC stocks was 14.8 and 20.8 kgCm−2 in Ary-Mas and Logata, respectively. Thecorresponding values for TN were 1.0 and 1.3 kgNm−2. On average, about 2% only (range 0–12%) of the totalecosystem C is stored in PhC. In both study areas about 34% of the SOC at 0–100 cm is stored in cryoturbatedpockets, which have formed since at least the early Holocene. The larger carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio of thiscryoturbated material indicates that it consists of relatively undecomposed soil organic matter (SOM). Thereare substantial differences in SOC stocks and SOM properties within and between the two study areas, whichemphasizes the need to consider both geomorphology and soil texture in the assessment of landscape-level andregional SOC stocks.Highlights• This research addresses landscape-scale and regional variation in SOC stocks.• Landform and soil texture are taken into account in the analysis.• The contribution of phytomass to total ecosystem C stored is limited.• Large SOC stocks are susceptible to decomposition following permafrost thaw.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

soil organic carbon

total nitrogen

phytomass carbon

permafrost

cryoturbation

C/N ratios

radiocarbon dating

landscape inventories

Physical Geography

naturgeografi

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)