Biological transformation of organic matter in soil is a crucial factor affecting the global carbon cycle. In order to understand these complex processes, soils must be investigated by a combination of various methods. This study compares the dynamics of biological mineralization of soil organic matter (SOM) determined via CO2 evolution during an 80-day laboratory incubation with their thermo-oxidative stability determined by thermogravimetry (TG). Thirty-three soil samples, originating from a wide range of geological and vegetation conditions from various German national parks were studied. The results showed a correlation between the amount and rate of respired CO2 and thermal mass losses of air-dried, conditioned soils occurring around 100 °C with linear coefficients of determination up to R2 = 0.85. Further, correlation of soil respiration with thermal mass losses around 260 °C confirmed previous observations. The comparison of TG profiles from incubated and non-incubated soils underlined the importance of thermal mass losses in these two temperature intervals. Incubated soils had reduced thermal mass losses above 240 °C and conversely an increased mass loss at 100–120 °C. Furthermore, the accurate determination of soil properties by TG such as soil organic carbon content was confirmed, and it was shown that it can be applied to a wider range of carbon contents as was previously thought. It was concluded that results of thermal analysis could be a helpful starting point for estimation of soil respiration and for development of methods revealing processes in soils.
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