Use of 13C and 15N natural abundance techniques to characterize carbon and nitrogen dynamics in composting and in compost-amended soils [An article from: Soil Biology and Biochemistry]

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Description:
Isotope fractionation during composting may produce organic materials with a more homogenous @d^1^3C and @d^1^5N signature allowing study of their fate in soil. To verify this, C, N, @d^1^3C and @d^1^5N content were monitored during nine months covered (thermophilic; >40^oC) composting of corn silage (CSC). The C concentration reduced from 10.34 to 1.73g C (gash)^-^1, or 83.3%, during composting. Nitrogen losses comprised 28.4% of initial N content. Compost @d^1^3C values became slightly depleted and increasingly uniform (from -12.8+/-0.6%% to -14.1+/-0.0%%) with composting. Compost @d^1^5N values (0.3+/-1.3 to 8.2+/-0.4%%) increased with a similar reduced isotope variability. The fate of C and N of diverse composts in soil was subsequently examined. C, N, @d^1^3C, @d^1^5N content of whole soil (0-5cm), light (1.7g cm^-^3) fraction, and (250-2000@mm; 53-250@mm and 53@mm) and light fractions. However, C"4 compost (CSC) was readily detectable (12% of compost C remaining) in mineral (