Surface Soil Enzyme Activity Along the East-West Transects of (BESST-REU Geomorphology Tour) North Carolina.

The ecological status of soils in North Carolina (NC) requires a detailed understanding of the identity and biogeochemical processes (carbon cycling) occurring within the ecosystem. This study evaluates carbon metabolic activities of microbes in soils collected from 6 different locations along the east-west transect of NC during the BESST-REU Geomorphology Tour. Soil samples collected from 0 - 10 cm and 10 - 20 cm depths were tested for pH, organic matter, and selected carbon enzyme activities. Beta-D-Glucosidase enzyme (carbon activity) assays performed on samples were used to determine the biochemical cycling of carbon within the various soil types (sandy, clayey, silty, and  loamy). The tests conducted on the soil samples showed the lowest levels of Beta-D-Glucosidase activity (211.99 µM p-Nitrophenol g^-1 soil^-1), soil organic matter (1.83%), and acidity pH (3.7) occurring in the sand-dune forest soils collected from the Outer Banks of NC. The Piedmont region of the state yielded the least acidic soil (pH 5.4) compared to other soils in the study. The highest level of carbon activity (1178µM p-Nitrophenol g^-1 soil^-1) and soil organic matter (31%) were characterized in the soils collected from the Blue Ridge Mountain Bog ecosystem. Studies of this type provide useful information describing the differences in microbial biochemical activities that are dependent on the location, climate, moisture regimes, soil type, and texture.