Soil Carbon Dynamics Inferred from Carbon Isotope Compositions of Soil Organic Matter and Soil Respiration

Koarashi, Jun   ; Iida, Takao*; Moriizumi, Jun*; Asano, Tomohiro

Soil organic matter (SOM) is a significant carbon reservoir in terrestrial ecosystems. Therefore, knowledge of SOM dynamics is essential for better understanding not only the global carbon cycle but also the environmental behabior of additional 14C produced by the nuclear power industry. In this study, carbon isotope compositions were determiend for chemically fractionated SOM and soil respiration in an urban forest, to investigate the formation, storage and decomposition of SOM.