Introducing a New Pyrogenic Podzolic Sub-Horizon to Clarify Organic Matter Pools in Pine Forest Soils

Abstract

Pine-green moss forests on Podzols exhibit high susceptibility to fire. Subsequent to wildfire, soot and charcoal enter the soil profile and accumulate in the upper part of the podzolic horizon (E). This process results in the development of a greying pyrogenic podzol horizon (Epyr). The maximum concentration of pyrogenic components accumulates in the surface layer of Epyr, which is 1 to 4 cm thick and the darkest in colour. The comprehensive soil descriptions showed the existence of a fine pyrogenic layer between the forest floor and mineral horizon. This layer was not analysed. The current shift in science towards assessing the environmental aspects of soil organic matter dynamics requires a more detailed study of the soil profile. We suggest distinguishing the pyrogenic organic mineral sub-horizon of the Eopyr as the upper Epyr layer. Our results show this sub-horizon contains sand, humus, detritus, and charcoal. It forms around 6%–22% of the entire organic matter pools in the biologically active part of the soil (0–30 cm). Further research is needed to obtain reliable qualitative and quantitative data on Eopyr.