Sulfur processing in forest soil and litter along an elevational and vegetative gradient

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Abstract
O2 litter and A1 horizon soil samples from various locations within the Santa Fe and Cibola National Forests of New Mexico were assayed for sulfate adsorption, organic S formation, and organic S solubilization and mineralization (mobilization). During a 48-h incubation, samples of O2 litter were found to adsorb between 1.6 and 4.1 nmol g−1 of added sulfate S and to form 2.0 to 9.8 nmol g−1 of organic S from this anion. Between 17 and 48% of this organic S was mobilized within 24 h. A1 horizon soils adsorbed 1.2 to 4.9 nmol g−1 of added sulfate S and formed between 1.6 and 4.8 nmol g−1 of organic S during 48 h. Between 20 and 50% of this organic S was mobilized within 24 h. Estimations of S-accumulation potentials for both horizons were made from these determinations. Intrinsic S pools were quantified to determine the S status of the samples prior to incubation. Carbon-bonded forms of S were found to predominate in samples from both horizons, while ester sulfate accounted for most of the remaining S. Sample pH, moisture content, and total carbon content were also determined. Attempts were made to correlate these characteristics and S pool sizes with laboratory determined potentials for sulfate adsorption, organic S formation, and mobilization. For some sites, relationships were established between sulfate adsorption, soil pH, and total C, whereas the total S and organic S content of most samples agreed well with organic S formation potentials.

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