Black carbon increases cation exchange capacity in soils

Black Carbon Increases Cation Exchange Capacity in Soils B. Liang, J. Lehmann,* D. Solomon, J. Kinyangi, J. Grossman, B. O’Neill, J. O. Skjemstad, J. Thies, F. J. Luiza˜o, J. Petersen, and E. G. Neves In Memory of James Petersen Dr. James... More

Black Carbon Increases Cation Exchange Capacity in Soils B. Liang, J. Lehmann,* D. Solomon, J. Kinyangi, J. Grossman, B. O’Neill, J. O. Skjemstad, J. Thies, F. J. Luiza˜o, J. Petersen, and E. G. Neves In Memory of James Petersen Dr. James Petersen was killed during an armed robbery while doing research near Manaus, Brazil, on 13 Aug. 2005. Dr. Petersen was associate professor and chair of the Anthropology Department at University of Vermont. We will miss him as a valued colleague and good friend. ABSTRACT Black Carbon (BC) may significantly affect nutrient retention and play a key role in a wide range of biogeochemical processes in soils, especially for nutrient cycling. Anthrosols from the Brazilian Amazon (ages between 600 and 8700 yr BP) with high contents of biomassderived BC had greater potential cation exchange capacity (CEC measured at pH 7) per unit organic C than adjacent soils with low BC contents. Synchrotron-based near edge X-ray absorption fine struct Less