Soil organic matter characteristics as indicator of Chernozem genesis in the Baltic Sea region

Acksel, Andre; Amelung, Wulf; Kühn, Peter; Gehrt, Ernst; Regier, Tom; Leinweber, Peter

doi:10.1016/j.geodrs.2016.04.001

Cited by 20 publications

(21 citation statements)

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“…Regionally restricted, unusually hums-rich topsoils were found in Northern Europe (the Baltic Sea regions of Germany and Denmark, Southwestern Norway) and were classified as Anthrosols because their formation was explained by strong inputs of organic matter from anthropogenic activities [1][2][3]. Most of these Anthrosols had been amended with marine biomass from the nearby shores, as was confirmed by δ 34 S values/patterns [2,3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 82%

“…The AMS 14 C-dating and the complementary archaeological literature of the respective region implied that these soils have been formed between the Nordic Bronze Age (3800 to 2800 BP) and the Roman Iron Age (2700 to 2000 BP) for the soils in the Baltic Sea region and between the Roman Iron Age (2500 to 1500 BP) and the Viking Age (about 1200 to 1000 BP) for the Norwegian soils [2,3]. Out of all profiles described in Acksel et al [1][2][3], we chose profiles that best represented the respective region for detailed P investigations because the full analytical program could not be run for all profiles/samples assigned to Anthrosols. Selection criterial were markers for anthropogenic influence (C org -and black carbon-content, sulphur isotope composition), thickness, and 14 C age of the humus-rich horizons, all described in previous publications [1][2][3].…”

Section: Study Areas and Soil Samplingmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…The sampled soil profiles are located at the island of Poel in the Wismar bay (54 • 0 N, 11 • 26 E) (P-1: Gollwitz; P-3 and P-5: Niendorf); at the islands of Fehmarn (F-8: Westermarkelsdorf; F-9: Gahlendorf) and Wagrien (F-6: Großenbrode) in the Lübeck bay (54 • in Rogaland County and in the Jaeren region (PE1: Njaerheim; PE4: Årsvol) in South West Norway (Figure 1). Descriptions of soil characteristics, vegetation covers, geography, climate, and landscape history of all study regions have been published previously [1][2][3]. The soils were classified as plaggic, hortic, umbric and mollic Anthrosols according to the World Reference Base for Soil resources 2014 as explained in Acksel et al [2,3].…”

Section: Study Areas and Soil Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Out of all profiles described in Acksel et al [1][2][3], we chose profiles that best represented the respective region for detailed P investigations because the full analytical program could not be run for all profiles/samples assigned to Anthrosols. Selection criterial were markers for anthropogenic influence (C org -and black carbon-content, sulphur isotope composition), thickness, and 14 C age of the humus-rich horizons, all described in previous publications [1][2][3]. For each profile, one soil sample from the upper (0-35 cm) and one from the underlying horizons (26-75 cm) were investigated.…”

Section: Study Areas and Soil Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Look into the Past: Tracing Ancient Sustainable Manuring Practices by Thorough P Speciation of Northern European

Acksel

Baumann

et al. 2019

Soil Syst.

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Regionally restricted, hums-rich topsoils in Southwest Norway and the Baltic Sea region of Germany and Denmark were formed by inputs of various amendments (combustion residues and marine biomass) and, therefore, were classified as Anthrosols. For a deeper insight into the ancient management practices, we investigated the elemental and P-composition in the upper and underlying horizons from 12 soil profiles in the Jæren region, at the islands of Karmøy and Feøy (Norway), at the island of Fehmarn and the peninsula of Wagrien (Germany), and at the islands of Poel (Germany) and Sjaelland (Denmark). We used aqua regia digestion and the complementary methods of sequential P fractionation, phosphorus K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (P-XANES) spectroscopy, and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (31P-NMR) spectroscopy. Results were compared with the composition of differently amended and/or un-amended soils from other studies. In addition, archaeological literature was used to confirm possible inputs of specific P-containing amendments in ancient agriculture. The P composition from SF of the Anthrosols in Norway (44% NaOH-Pi >1 8% NaOH-Po > 14% NaHCO3-Pi, 12% H2SO4-P > 7% NaHCO3-Po > 3% residual-P = 3% resin-P) and complementary archaeological literature provided strong indication for the use of peat, sheep manure, compost, and human excreta. The Anthrosols in the Jæren region have been formed from peat, which had been used as alternative bedding material and had been mixed with sheep and/or cattle manure. The P-composition in the Anthrosols at the island of Fehmarn and at the peninsula of Wagrien (42% H2SO4-P > 25% residual-P > 10% NaOH-Po, 8% NaOH-Pi: > 6% NaHCO3-Pi and NaHCO3-Po, 4% resin-P) resulted from the application of domestic cattle manure. This was strongly supported by archaeological findings of cattle bones in this region, as well as high proportions of Ca-P, as confirmed by P-XANES. The predominance of Po in the Anthrosols at the island of Poel and Sjaelland (31% NaOH-Po > 23% NaHCO3-Po, 21% H2SO4-P > 11% NaOH-Pi > 8% NaHCO3-Pi > 4% residual-P, 3% resin-P, in agreement with results from 31P-NMR) indicated low ancient inputs of various excrement or manure. This was supported by low livestock history at the island of Poel. In conclusion, these agricultural techniques can be considered as sustainable P recycling and soil amendment since they improved soil fertility for many generations.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Section: Study Areas and Soil Samplingmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Study Areas and Soil Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Study Areas and Soil Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Look into the Past: Tracing Ancient Sustainable Manuring Practices by Thorough P Speciation of Northern European

Acksel

Baumann

et al. 2019

Soil Syst.

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“…According to classical pedological theories (Dokuchaev, ; FAO, ), chernozem‐like soils, characteristic of promontories of the White Carpathians, have developed under steppe grassland vegetation. Some authors even suggest that the black colour of these soils may result from the high content of charred organic matter originating from vegetation burning (Acksel et al, ; Eckmeier, Gerlach, Gehrt, & Schmidt, ). Although the paradigm is not accepted unambiguously (e.g., Lorz & Saile, ; Vysloužilová et al, ), our results conform to the hypothesis of continuity of grassland vegetation above chernozem‐like soils and the role of vegetation burning in their development.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil charcoal elucidates the role of humans in the development of landscape of extreme biodiversity

et al. 2019

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The south‐western White Carpathians (Czech Republic, Slovakia) are one of the few places in low‐elevation Central Europe where a diverse landscape, including extremely species rich meadows, scattered oak trees, and mixed oak woodlands, has escaped modern transformation. We studied C14‐dated and taxonomically identified macroscopic soil charcoal record to elucidate the genesis of this landscape. Thirteen soil profiles were sampled in grasslands along a gradient of elevation and history of human settlement. We identified clear pattern in the taxonomic composition of woody soil charcoal and anthracomass along this gradient, which we ascribe to different pathways of landscape development. Charcoal assemblages of chernozem‐like soils in the promontories of the mountain range have a low anthracomass and are dominated by heliophilous and semishade species (Quercus, Pinus), with the oldest charcoals dated to pre‐Neolithic times. Soils of the middle elevations have a high anthracomass and often show pronounced differences in charcoal composition at different soil depths; the oldest charcoal samples date back between the Neolithic and Early Middle Ages, and heliophilous species increase towards the topsoil. The soil of the summit area shows a medium anthracomass and charcoal assemblage dominated by shade‐tolerant trees; the charcoal dates from the Middle Ages. Our results suggest continuity of an open to semiopen landscape in lower elevations of the White Carpathians, whereas middle and higher elevations experienced a forested period. Humans and fire played an important role in landscape development, as indicated by both soil charcoal and available palaeoecological and archaeological evidence. Local meadows with extremely high biodiversity thus appear to be a continuation of an ancient forest‐steppe‐like ecosystem.

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Klasse T: Schwarzerden

Gehrt,

Schad,

Lehmann

et al. 2023

Böden Deutschlands, Österreichs Und Der Schweiz

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Soil organic matter characteristics as indicator of Chernozem genesis in the Baltic Sea region

Cited by 20 publications

References 88 publications

A Look into the Past: Tracing Ancient Sustainable Manuring Practices by Thorough P Speciation of Northern European

A Look into the Past: Tracing Ancient Sustainable Manuring Practices by Thorough P Speciation of Northern European

Soil charcoal elucidates the role of humans in the development of landscape of extreme biodiversity

Klasse T: Schwarzerden

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