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Spatial variation in natural formation of chloroform in the soils of four coniferous forests

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Abstract

Natural chloroform in soil gas below four coniferous forest sites was studied. High concentrations were found within narrow areas—Hot Spots—varying from ~25 to >400 m2 in size, with chloroform concentrations being typically 20–100 times those in corresponding Low Spots.Attempts to localize Hot Spots by visual inspection with regard to type and density of vegetation failed. Possible differences between Hot and Low Spots could be emission, leaching or degradation of chloroform. However, emissions of chloroform from Hot Spots were ~10 times higher than from Low Spots and similarly the chloroform concentration in groundwater below a Hot Spot was ~10 times higher than below the corresponding Low Spot. No differences in chloroform mineralization rates were observed between sites and incubation of soil cores confirmed a larger net formation of chloroform in the Hot Spots. Various soil parameters were measured in order to compare the soil sampled from Hot and Low Spots. The halogenation degree of organic soil samples was in the same range, although slightly higher in the H-horizon of the Hot Spot. The chloroform formation potential of the soil organic matter showed differences between soil horizons but not between sites. The high levels of chloroform in the Hot Spots are probably best explained by differences in chloroform forming activity caused by an uneven distribution of yet unidentified microorganisms, since differences in soil organic matter quality and in emission, leaching and degradation of chloroform as well as a number of additional soil parameters could be completely ruled out.

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Acknowledgments

Anders Risbjerg Johnsen is thanked for valuable comments to the preparation of the manuscript. This study was financially supported by grant no. 09-061119/FTP of The Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation (C. N. Albers).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geochemistry, Geological Survey of Denmark & Greenland, Ø. Voldgade 10, 1350, Copenhagen, Denmark

    C. N. Albers, O. S. Jacobsen & T. Laier

  2. Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Sala 2107, Prédio 18, Santa Maria, Brazil

    É. M. M. Flores & J. S. F. Pereira

  3. Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia (INCT) de Bioanalítica, UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil

    É. M. M. Flores & J. S. F. Pereira

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  1. C. N. Albers
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  2. O. S. Jacobsen
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  4. J. S. F. Pereira
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Correspondence to C. N. Albers.

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Albers, C.N., Jacobsen, O.S., Flores, É.M.M. et al. Spatial variation in natural formation of chloroform in the soils of four coniferous forests. Biogeochemistry 103, 317–334 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-010-9467-9

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