Storage and stability of organic matter and fossil carbon in a Luvisol and Phaeozem with continuous maize cropping: A synthesis

Abstract Quantitative information about the amount and stability of organic carbon (OC) in different soil organic‐matter (OM) fractions and in specific organic compounds and compound‐classes is needed to improve our understanding of organic‐matter sequestration in soils. In the present paper, we summarize and integrate results performed on two different arable soils with continuous maize cropping (a) Stagnic Luvisol with maize cropping for 24 y, b) Luvic Phaeozem with maize cropping for 39 y) to identify (1) the storage of OC in different soil organic‐matter fractions, (2) the function of these fractions with respect to soil‐OC stabilization, (3) the importance and partitioning of fossil‐C deposits, and (4) the rates of soil‐OC stabilization as assessed by compound‐specific isotope analyses. The fractionation procedures included particle‐size fractionation, density fractionation, aggregate fractionation, acid hydrolysis, different oxidation procedures, isolation of extractable lipids and phospholipid fatty acids, pyrolysis, and the determination of black C. Stability of OC was determined by 13 C and 14 C analyses. The main inputs of OC were plant litter (both sites) and deposition of fossil C likely from coal combustion and lignite dust (only Phaeozem).