Contrasting goethite effects on the priming effect of organic carbon mineralization in sandy loam and loam soils

Abstract

The physicochemical protection of soil organic carbon (SOC) by iron (Fe) (hydr)oxides and clay minerals is crucial to SOC preservation. While clay minerals restrict SOC mineralization, a lack of information exists on the regulatory mechanisms by which clay minerals and their interactions with Fe (hydr)oxides regulate the priming effect (PE). Here, we quantified the PE intensities in two forest soils (i.e., a sandy loam soil and a loam soil), amended without or with Fe (hydr)oxides (goethite) at two levels. The loam soil containing higher clay minerals showed a 26% lower SOC mineralization but a 28% greater PE than the sandy loam soil. This is likely because SOC encapsulated within clay particles serves as a substrate reservoir, which can be decomposed by activated microbes following exogenous C inputs. Contrasting goethite effects on the PE in different soils were detected. High goethite addition intensified the PE in sandy loam soil, while the PE in loam soil declined at both levels of addition. The underlying mechanisms were attributed to alterations in Fe-mediated co-precipitation situation and subsequent microbial metabolism. Overall, this study demonstrates a crucial role of clay minerals in SOC stabilization, with implication for soil management with Fe (hydr)oxides.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

clay mineral / Fe (hydr)oxides / SOC stability / priming effect / soil texture

Highlight

	● Clay minerals restrict SOC mineralization but amplify the PE by releasing substrate when facing C inputs.
	● Fe (hydr)oxide can reduce or promote the PE in soils varying in soil texture.
	● Contrasting Fe (hydr)oxide effects were fundamentally mediated by co-precipitation mechanism.

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