I am looking for methods developed to estimate soil carbon contents in the field. Have you heard of such attempts? I am interested in an approach focused on organic or total carbon, using portable labs or equipment that can be transported on-site to run the analysis in the field. I know the POXC method, but I am interested in a more comprehensive soil carbon estimation targeting SOC or total soil carbon.
Some people use H2O2 to "indicate" the presence of SOM, but I'm curious about more quantitative measurements, even if they are not the most precise.
Does anyone have heard about such a method?
Soil inorganic carbon can be accurately measured by several methods. Commonly, SIC is determined by measuring CO2 production after adding HCl acid into soil. with addition of FeCl2 to minimize oxidation of organic matter, provided reliable measurement of SIC .Soil organic carbon is commonly measured by dry combustion with automated analyzers, or a wet chemical oxidation method, i.e., the Walkley and Black method.Soil organic carbon is usually reported as a percentage of your topsoil (0 – 10) cm. This value can be converted to a meaningful volume for a paddock. For example: i.e. 10,000 m2 in one hectare x 0.1 m soil depth x 1.4 g/cm3 bulk density x 1.2 % = 16.8 t/ha.
It can be done with the Walkley and Black method in which soil organic matter is digested with the known volume of chromate in presence of sulphuric acid and then titrating it against the FAS - Ferrous Ammonium Sulphate and then doing the necessary calculation gives you the amount of organic carbon present in the soil multiplying which by 1.724 gives you the amount of soil organic matter.
...a rather simple and working approach is based on NIR-spectroscopy - check the Stenon spate (https://stenon.io/en/) or similar portable NIR-spectrometers. BR Nils
Ah, the quest for estimating soil carbon contents in the field! While the popular POXC method serves as a handy tool, you're yearning for a more comprehensive approach that delves into organic or total carbon estimation. Fear not, for there exist intriguing avenues to explore. Picture this: portable labs or equipment, graciously transported to the site, enabling on-the-spot analysis. Now, let's move beyond the tantalizing H2O2's mere "indication" of SOM presence and venture into the realm of quantitative measurements. Although not the epitome of precision, they offer valuable insights. So, my inquisitive friend, allow me to introduce you to an array of potential methods awaiting your attention, beckoning with promises of soil carbon estimation targeting SOC or total soil carbon.
You might find the project at Qvidja farm in Finland interresting.
The research-leader for carbon monitoring is; Jari Liski at
Finnish Meteorological Institute
P.O. Box 503, FI-00101 HELSINKI, Finland
Tel. 050 5379940
https://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi
Md. Akiful Islam Fahim Fantastic response. Now I'm hooked and waiting for the introduction.
Anybody with experience with Microbiometer tool kit, and its relationship with the above question?
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