Difference Between Soil Organic Matter and Organic Carbon

Difference Between Soil Organic Matter and Organic Carbon

1. The composition is different. Soil organic matter includes various animal and plant residues, microorganisms and various organic matter that can be decomposed and synthesized, including organic carbon. The collective name of soil organic carbon humus, animal and plant residues and microorganisms.

2. The scope is different. Soil organic matter covers a slightly larger range than soil organic carbon.

3. Soil organic matter refers to the organic matter that exists in the soil and contains carbon. Soil organic matter is an important component of the solid phase of soil. Although the content of soil organic matter only accounts for a small part of the total soil, it is extremely important for soil formation, soil fertility, environmental protection, and sustainable development of agriculture and forestry. meaning of function.

4. Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a chemical measure of soil organic matter, which accounts for 60%-80% of soil organic matter. Some components in soil organic carbon are more sensitive to changes in factors such as land use patterns than total organic carbon. This part of carbon is called active organic carbon and can be used as an indicator of early changes in organic carbon. It represents the long-term accumulation and carbon sequestration capacity of the soil.

The concept of soil organic matter (SOM) refers to the collective name of humus, animal and plant residues and microorganisms formed by the action of microorganisms, and the carbon content in it is soil organic carbon (SOC).

The carbon content in soil organic matter is soil organic carbon, and the range of the former is much larger than that of the latter.