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Field method for rapid quantification of labile organic carbon in hyper-arid desert soils validated by two thermal methods

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 March 2014

Lauren E. Fletcher ,
Julio E. Valdivia-Silva ,
Saul Perez-Montaño ,
Renee M. Condori-Apaza ,
Catharine A. Conley ,
Rafael Navarro-Gonzalez  and
Christopher P. McKay
Lauren E. Fletcher
Affiliation:
Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Planetary Physics, University of Oxford, AOPP, Clarendon Laboratory, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PU, UK e-mail: Lauren@atm.ox.ac.uk Space Sciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
Julio E. Valdivia-Silva
Affiliation:
Space Sciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA Laboratorio de Química de Plasmas y Estudios Planetarios, Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, México D. F. 04510, Mexico
Saul Perez-Montaño
Affiliation:
Space Sciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA Department of Chemistry, San Jose State University, California, USA
Renee M. Condori-Apaza
Affiliation:
Universidad Nacional de San Agustín, Arequipa, Perú
Catharine A. Conley
Affiliation:
Planetary Sciences Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, Washington DC, USA
Rafael Navarro-Gonzalez
Affiliation:
Laboratorio de Química de Plasmas y Estudios Planetarios, Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, México D. F. 04510, Mexico
Christopher P. McKay
Affiliation:
Space Sciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
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Abstract

The objective of this work was to develop a field method for the determination of labile organic carbon in hyper-arid desert soils. Industry standard methods rely on expensive analytical equipment that are not possible to take into the field, while scientific challenges require fast turn-around of large numbers of samples in order to characterize the soils throughout this region. Here we present a method utilizing acid-hydrolysis extraction of the labile fraction of organic carbon followed by potassium permanganate oxidation, which provides a quick and inexpensive approach to investigate samples in the field. Strict reagent standardization and calibration steps within this method allowed the determination of very low levels of organic carbon in hyper-arid soils, in particular, with results similar to those determined by the alternative methods of Calcination and Pyrolysis–Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry. Field testing of this protocol increased the understanding of the role of organic materials in hyper-arid environments and allowed real-time, strategic decision making for planning for more detailed laboratory-based analysis.

Keywords

acid hydrolysis permanganate oxidationhyper-arid extreme environmentslabile soil organic carbonorganic-variabilitythermal methods
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Astrobiology , Volume 13 , Issue 2: Special issue: Fifth UK Astrobiology Conference (ASB5) , April 2014 , pp. 182 - 189
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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