Abstract
Background and aims: Phytolith occluded carbon (PhytOC) is of interest for isotope studies, dating of sediments and the capture and storage of carbon. Many methodologies have been used for the isolation of phytoliths from plant material; however, there are wide disparities in the PhytOC contents when determined by different methodologies. In this study we examine the utility of the two main methods used for quantifying PhytOC. Methods: These methods are: (1) a microwave digestion followed by a Walkley-Black digestion, and (2) H2SO4/H2O2. Results: Method (1) produced PhytOC values over 50 times higher than those acquired by method (2). SEM examination indicated that the differences were likely due to shattering of the phytoliths by method (2) allowing consumption by the acid and peroxide of PhytOC. Conclusion: These results indicate that for the samples analysed here: 1] the modified microwave method allowed the total PhytOC to be measured, 2] the H2SO4/H2O2 method allowed the PhytOC within the tightly packed silica matrix to be measured, and 3] the PhytOC retained within the phytolith cavities could possibly be calculated by subtracting 2] from 1]. For the samples analysed here most of the PhytOC resided in the phytolith cavities.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 45-53 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Plant and Soil |
| Volume | 374 |
| Issue number | 1-2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2014 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Comparison of two methods for the isolation of phytolith occluded carbon from plant material. / Parr, Jeffrey F.; Sullivan, Leigh A.
In: Plant and Soil, Vol. 374, No. 1-2, 2014, p. 45-53.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Comparison of two methods for the isolation of phytolith occluded carbon from plant material
AU - Parr, Jeffrey F.
AU - Sullivan, Leigh A.
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - Background and aims: Phytolith occluded carbon (PhytOC) is of interest for isotope studies, dating of sediments and the capture and storage of carbon. Many methodologies have been used for the isolation of phytoliths from plant material; however, there are wide disparities in the PhytOC contents when determined by different methodologies. In this study we examine the utility of the two main methods used for quantifying PhytOC. Methods: These methods are: (1) a microwave digestion followed by a Walkley-Black digestion, and (2) H2SO4/H2O2. Results: Method (1) produced PhytOC values over 50 times higher than those acquired by method (2). SEM examination indicated that the differences were likely due to shattering of the phytoliths by method (2) allowing consumption by the acid and peroxide of PhytOC. Conclusion: These results indicate that for the samples analysed here: 1] the modified microwave method allowed the total PhytOC to be measured, 2] the H2SO4/H2O2 method allowed the PhytOC within the tightly packed silica matrix to be measured, and 3] the PhytOC retained within the phytolith cavities could possibly be calculated by subtracting 2] from 1]. For the samples analysed here most of the PhytOC resided in the phytolith cavities.
AB - Background and aims: Phytolith occluded carbon (PhytOC) is of interest for isotope studies, dating of sediments and the capture and storage of carbon. Many methodologies have been used for the isolation of phytoliths from plant material; however, there are wide disparities in the PhytOC contents when determined by different methodologies. In this study we examine the utility of the two main methods used for quantifying PhytOC. Methods: These methods are: (1) a microwave digestion followed by a Walkley-Black digestion, and (2) H2SO4/H2O2. Results: Method (1) produced PhytOC values over 50 times higher than those acquired by method (2). SEM examination indicated that the differences were likely due to shattering of the phytoliths by method (2) allowing consumption by the acid and peroxide of PhytOC. Conclusion: These results indicate that for the samples analysed here: 1] the modified microwave method allowed the total PhytOC to be measured, 2] the H2SO4/H2O2 method allowed the PhytOC within the tightly packed silica matrix to be measured, and 3] the PhytOC retained within the phytolith cavities could possibly be calculated by subtracting 2] from 1]. For the samples analysed here most of the PhytOC resided in the phytolith cavities.
KW - PhytOC
KW - Phytolith
KW - Phytolith occluded carbon
KW - Plant silica
KW - Plantstone
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84890891687&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s11104-013-1847-1
DO - 10.1007/s11104-013-1847-1
M3 - Article
VL - 374
SP - 45
EP - 53
JO - Plant and Soil
JF - Plant and Soil
SN - 0032-079X
IS - 1-2
ER -