@article{fdi:010054264,
  title = {{C}arbon mineralization and lignin content of eroded sediments from a grazed watershed of {S}outh-{A}frica},
  author = {{J}uarez, {S}. and {R}umpel, {C}. and {M}c{H}unu, {C}. and {C}haplot, {V}incent},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{D}espite the increasing interest in the role of soil erosion on the global carbon cycle, few studies were carried out to evaluate the fate of eroded organic carbon ({OC}) at the landscape level. {A}lthough eroded {C} may constitute an atmospheric {C} source upon mineralization or a {C} sink if entrapped, it is largely unknown how landscape position and molecular composition influence the fate of terrestrial {C} mobilized during erosion-induced storm events. {T}he objective of this study was to assess the impact of soil water erosion on potential carbon mineralization and to interpret these results using additional information on organic matter composition in both soils and sediments. {T}he study was conducted in a 23 ha grassland catchment of the {S}outh-{A}frican {D}rakensberg foothill showing numerous features of land degradation. {T}he elemental and stable isotope composition and the lignin component of soils from different landscape positions were compared to those of sediments eroded from 1 x 1 m microplots. {I}n addition, and to assess changes in {OC} availability during soil erosion. {CO}(2) emissions from soil and eroded sediments were measured continuously under laboratory conditions over a 20 day period. {T}he lignin component of the samples was characterized by {C}u{O} oxidation. {O}ur results showed that eroded sediments were enriched in organic carbon by factor 1.8 and in lignin by factor 3.7. {L}ignin characterization indicated that it was less decomposed in eroded sediments than in the original soils, but did not control carbon mineralization. {A} negative trend was observed between the {C}/{N} ratio of eroded sediments and soil and {CO}(2) production, suggesting that microbial biomass could be {N} limited. {C}arbon mineralization in eroded sediments greatly exceeded that of soils and was described by a single pool first order model, whereas mineralization of soil {C} followed a sigmoidal pattern. {W}e conclude that organic matter present in eroded sediments consists of relatively undecomposed plant material and is mineralized to a greater extent than soil organic matter regardless of landscape position.},
  keywords = {{S}oil organic carbon ; {W}ater erosion ; {C}arbon mineralization ; {L}ignin ; {D}egradation ; {AFRIQUE} {DU} {SUD}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{G}eoderma},
  volume = {167-68},
  numero = {},
  pages = {247--253},
  ISSN = {0016-7061},
  year = {2011},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.geoderma.2011.09.007},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010054264},
}