The regulation by phenolic compounds of soil organic matter dynamics under a changing environment.
Phenolics are the most abundant plant metabolites and are believed to decompose slowly in soils compared to other soil organic matter (SOM). Thus, they have often been considered as a slow carbon (C) pool in soil dynamics models. Here, however, we review changes in our concept about the turnover rate of phenolics and quantification of different types of phenolics in soils. Also, we synthesize current research on the degradation of phenolics and their regulatory effects on decomposition. Environmental changes, such as elevated CO2, warming, nitrogen (N) deposition, and drought, could influence the production and form of phenolics, leading to a change in SOM dynamics, and thus we also review the fate of phenolics under environmental disturbances. Finally, we propose the use of phenolics as a tool to control rates of SOM decomposition to stabilize organic carbon in ecosystems. Further studies to clarify the role of phenolics in SOM dynamics should include improving quantification methods, elucidating the relationship between phenolics and soil microorganisms, and determining the interactive effects of combinations of environmental changes on the phenolics production and degradation and subsequent impact on SOM processing.
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 120-749, Republic of Korea ; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Kansas Biological Survey, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA.
Kyungjin
K
Min
School of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK.
Chris
C
Freeman
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 120-749, Republic of Korea.
Hojeong
H
Kang
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 120-749, Republic of Korea.
Sung-Uk
SU
Choi
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D017753:Ecosystem; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D010636:Phenols / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*
D009930:Organic Chemicals; D010636:Phenols; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants