Comparing Organic Carbon Pools in Riparian Soils of Two Contrasting Watershed Ecosystems.

COMPARING ORGANIC CARBON POOLS IN RIPARIAN SOILS
OF TWO CONTRASTING WATERSHED ECOSYSTEMS

 Robert S. Tokosh and Iin P. Handayani
School of Agriculture, Murray State University, Murray, KY 42071

 ABSTRACT

 

Soil organic carbon is one main indicator for detecting ecosystem productivity.  Different land use systems in the watershed areas and time of the year may influence the trend in soil organic carbon pools. The objective of this study was to determine the total organic carbon (TOC) and particulate organic matter carbon (POM-C) in riparian soils collected from two watershed ecosystems.  Soil samples were collected from riparian areas in Panther and Ledbetter Creeks, Kentucky Lake, Kentucky.  Ledbetter Creek was selected due to heavy agricultural activities, while Panther Creek is located in a forested ecosystem.  Soil organic carbon in forested watershed riparian areas varied greatly from August to November sampling time.  Riparian soils in forested watershed have TOC 70 g/kg in August and 41g/kg in November.  They have similar amounts of TOC in August and November, but high amounts of POM-C during August.  During August and November, the POM-C was 35 g/kg and 26 g/kg, respectively.  These values were significantly higher than riparian soils of forested watershed with average of 20 g/kg in August and 23 g/kg in November.  The results show that soil organic carbon pools can change as affected by sampling time within a year.  These changes may control the ability of riparian soil to store carbon, as well as process and transport the pollutant.