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SPP 1090 AG 2: Fate of naturally occurring monomeric phenols in soil
Project
Project code: DFG SPP 1090
Contract period: 01.01.2000
- 01.01.2006
Purpose of research: Basic research
Natural monomeric phenols including phenolic acids are ubiquitous in soil and regarded as precursors of humic substances. They are subject to degradation and are partly immobilized in soil inorganic and organic matrixes. The immobilisation is strongly related to the soils humic substances, minerals, microbial activity, and macrofauna, and involves both biotic and abiotic processes. Using 13C- and 14C-labelled phenols (catechol, ferulic, caffeic, p-coumaric acid, etc) synthesized in this project, the studies will focus on (1) the fate of various phenolic carbons in soil, (2) the immobilization form (covalent binding or physico-chemical sequestration) and the chemical structure of immobilized residual carbons, and (3) the stability of the phenolic residues in soil. Based on the 14C-label, the localisation and distribution of residues within the soil components can be determined. The type of binding of the residues in soil matrixes can be evaluated by silylation and radioactive size exclusion chromatography. Using 13C-label, the chemical structures of the residues can be analysed by 13C-NMR spectroscopy. In cooperation with PD Dr. Brune and Prof. Dr. Scheu, the effect of feeding activity of humus-feeding macrofauna (rose beetle larvae, in terms of their alkaline gut segment; and soil-mixing earthworms, in dependence on soil clay mineral contents) on transformation, immobilisation and remobilisation of phenols will be investigated. Together with Prof. Dr. Michaelis, the contribution of phenolic carbon through microbial biomass to soil refractory substances will be elucidated. In cooperation with Prof. Dr. Maschner, the possible effect of addition of organic substrates into soil (priming effect) on the degradation of the phenolic carbon will be examined.
Section overview
Subjects
- Soil science