The Dynamics of Organic Matter in Soil Size and Density Fractions Traced by Stable Carbon Isotopes

On the basis of different photosynthetic pathways, there is an obvious difference in {δ+{13}C} values between C-3 plants and C-4 plants. In terms of this characteristic, we analyzed the {δ+{13}C} values in different size and density fractions from two profile-soil samples either in farmland and forestlands near the Maolan Karst virgin forest, Southwest China, where there were developed C-3 plants previously and now are C-4 plants. Results showed that the δ+{13}C values of different size fractions in forestland soil are δ+{13}C-{coarse sand}<δ+{13}C-{fine sand}<δ+{13}C-{coarse silt}<δ+{13}C-{clay}<{δ+{13}C-{fine silt}}, and the δ+{13}C values of different size fractions in farmland soil are δ+{13}C-{coarse sand}>{δ+{13}C-{fine sand}}>δ+{13}C-{coarse silt}>δ+{13}C-{clay}>δ+{13}C-{fine silt}, indicating that soil organic matter is fresh in coarse sand and oldest in fine silt. The δ+{13}C values of different density fractions in forestland soil are δ+{13}C-{light}<δ+{13}C-{heavy}, and the {δ+{13}C} values of different density fractions in farmland soil are {δ+{13}C-{light}}>{δ+{13}C-{heavy}}, indicating that the soil organic matter is fresh in light fractions and old in heavy fractions .