Root and dissolved organic carbon controls on subsurface soil carbon dynamics; A Model approach

Ota, Masakazu  ; Nagai, Haruyasu  ; Koarashi, Jun   

We investigated the role of root litter input and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) transport in controlling subsurface SOC dynamics by a soil C model. The model involves C turnover by decomposition, interaction between SOC and DOC, and DOC transport along water flows, for three C pools (characterized by turnover times of years, decades and millennia). Model simulations with a range of rooting profiles demonstrated a large proportion (36-78%) of SOC is apportioned to the subsurface (below the first 30 cm) soils and a significant part (39-73%) of the subsurface SOC turns over decadally. DOC transport appeared to be dominant for distributing the C to the deeper horizons. Our results suggest soil C studies focusing on the surface alone significantly underestimate the stock of decadally cycling C and underpredict the responses of soil C to global changes.