Characterisation of the microbial biomass in lignite-containing mine soils by radiocarbon measurements

C. Rumpel, P. M. Grootes, I. Kögel-Knabner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

A method of sample preparation is presented which allows for the characterisation of the soil microbial biomass by 14C activity measurements at natural abundance of 14C. By the use of freeze-drying instead of chloroform for the disruption of microbial cells, the possible contamination of the sample by 14C is avoided. Our data show a close relationship between the two methods. After extraction by CaCl2 the 14C activity of the freeze-dried labile carbon was recorded by accelerator mass spectrometry. Our data for lignite-containing mine soils indicate that lignite carbon which does not show 14C activity is incorporated in the soil microbial biomass. The method can thus be used to follow microbial degradation of fossil carbon (e.g. lignite) in soil.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2019-2021
Number of pages3
JournalSoil Biology and Biochemistry
Volume33
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2001

Keywords

  • C activity
  • Lignite
  • Mine soil
  • Soil microbial biomass

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Characterisation of the microbial biomass in lignite-containing mine soils by radiocarbon measurements'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this