Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 16, 2025
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Assessment of Labile Organic Carbon in Soil Using Sequential Fumigation Incubation Procedures
Published on: October 29, 2016
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Volatile organic compounds from leaf litter decomposition alter soil microbial communities and carbon dynamics
Steven G McBride1, Mallory Choudoir2, Noah Fierer2,3
1Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061, USA.
Ecology
|July 5, 2020
Summary
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from decomposing plant litter contribute to soil carbon pools and alter microbial communities. This study reveals a previously overlooked pathway impacting soil carbon dynamics and microbial ecosystems.
Area of Science:
- Soil Science
- Microbial Ecology
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Carbon transfer from plant litter to soil is crucial for soil carbon sequestration.
- Previous research focused on litter leaching and direct mixing, neglecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
- Litter-derived VOCs can diffuse into soil, offering a unique pathway for carbon transfer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the contribution of litter-derived VOCs to soil carbon pools.
- To assess the impact of VOCs on soil microbial community structure.
- To highlight an underappreciated pathway in soil carbon dynamics.
Main Methods:
- A 99-day microcosm experiment using 13C-labeled leaf litter.
- Tracking VOCs produced during litter decomposition via headspace analysis.
- Quantifying VOC-derived carbon in soil microbial biomass, dissolved organic matter, mineral-associated organic matter, and particulate organic matter.
- Analyzing soil bacterial and fungal community diversity and composition.
Main Results:
- Litter-derived VOCs contributed to all measured soil carbon pools.
- VOC-derived carbon comprised 2.0% of microbial biomass, 0.61% of dissolved organic matter, 0.18% of mineral-associated organic matter, and 0.08% of particulate organic matter.
- Litter-derived VOCs significantly affected soil bacterial and fungal community diversity and composition.
Conclusions:
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) represent an important, previously overlooked pathway for carbon transfer from plant litter to soil.
- Litter-derived VOCs influence soil carbon dynamics and alter soil microbial community structure.
- Understanding VOC-mediated processes is essential for accurately modeling soil carbon cycling and microbial ecosystem functions.
Keywords:
VOCammoniumcarbon cyclecarbon sequestrationmicrobial biomassmicrobial diversitymineral associated organic matternitrateparticulate organic matterstable isotope probingtarget gene sequencingMore Related Videos
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