Characterization of organic matter in particle size and density fractions from a red-brown earth by solid state 13C NMR

Abstract

Size and density fractions separated from a red-brown earth have been analysed by high-resolution solidstate 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (n.m.r.) spectroscopy. Resonances from O-alkyl carbon (mainly carbohydrate) predominated in the spectra of the largest (250-2000 µm) fractions, whereas alkyl carbon resonances (mainly polymethylene) predominated in the spectra of clay fractions. Paramagnetics, mainly Fe3+, were found to influence the amount and type of carbon seen in 13C solid-state n.m.r. spectra of clay fractions containing more than several per cent iron oxides. Removal of iron oxides by reduction with dithionite allowed aromatics, carboxyls and carbohydrates to be detected by 13C n.m.r.