The Effects of Burning Intensity on the Soil C-Related Properties and Mineralogy of Two Contrasting Forest Soils from Chilean National Parks

Forest fires alter multiple soil properties, from those related to the carbon cycle to mineralogy; however, the responses of various soils to thermal impact remain unclear. This study examined the impact of fire-induced heating (300, 600, and 900 °C) on the properties of two contrasted soils (Andiso...

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Main Authors: Karla Erazo, Clara Martí-Dalmau, David Badía-Villas, Silvia Quintana-Esteras, Blanca Bauluz, Carolina Merino
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Fire
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/8/7/277
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author Karla Erazo
Clara Martí-Dalmau
David Badía-Villas
Silvia Quintana-Esteras
Blanca Bauluz
Carolina Merino
author_facet Karla Erazo
Clara Martí-Dalmau
David Badía-Villas
Silvia Quintana-Esteras
Blanca Bauluz
Carolina Merino
author_sort Karla Erazo
collection DOAJ
description Forest fires alter multiple soil properties, from those related to the carbon cycle to mineralogy; however, the responses of various soils to thermal impact remain unclear. This study examined the impact of fire-induced heating (300, 600, and 900 °C) on the properties of two contrasted soils (Andisol and Inceptisol) with regard to soil organic carbon (SOC), total organic carbon (TOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), recalcitrant organic carbon (ROC), soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil water repellency (SWR), soil aggregate stability (SAS), and mineralogy using X-ray diffraction (XRD). SOC and TOC decreased as temperatures increased, with a more pronounced decrease in Andisol (90% loss) than in Inceptisol (80% loss). DOC and SWR peaked at 300 °C but disappeared above 600 °C. Further, ROC increased at 300 °C in both soils, but behaved differently at higher temperatures, remaining stable in Inceptisol and being eliminated in Andisol. Soil pH increased at 600 and 900 °C; meanwhile, EC increased progressively in Andisol but peaked at 300 °C in Inceptisol. SAS remained high in both soils (between 85 and 95%) despite heating. The mineralogical analysis demonstrated how heating induced transformations in iron minerals into more oxidized forms (as hematite and maghemite) in the Andisol, while clay minerals and gibbsite decreased feldspar and quartz accumulation promotion in the Inceptisol. In summary, the initial properties of each soil influenced their respective responses to fire.
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spelling doaj-art-e635ee106bcb437280d702d82ca8a19c2025-08-20T03:58:26ZengMDPI AGFire2571-62552025-07-018727710.3390/fire8070277The Effects of Burning Intensity on the Soil C-Related Properties and Mineralogy of Two Contrasting Forest Soils from Chilean National ParksKarla Erazo0Clara Martí-Dalmau1David Badía-Villas2Silvia Quintana-Esteras3Blanca Bauluz4Carolina Merino5Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias de Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Francisco Salazar 01145, Temuco 4811230, ChileDepartment of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Environment, Technological College, Geoforest-IUCA, Crtra. Cuarte s/n, 22071 Huesca, SpainDepartment of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Environment, Technological College, Geoforest-IUCA, Crtra. Cuarte s/n, 22071 Huesca, SpainDepartment of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Environment, Technological College, Geoforest-IUCA, Crtra. Cuarte s/n, 22071 Huesca, SpainDepartment of Earth Sciences, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Zaragoza, Aragosaurus-IUCA, C/Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, SpainLaboratorio de Geomicrobiología, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Francisco Salazar 01145, Temuco 4811230, ChileForest fires alter multiple soil properties, from those related to the carbon cycle to mineralogy; however, the responses of various soils to thermal impact remain unclear. This study examined the impact of fire-induced heating (300, 600, and 900 °C) on the properties of two contrasted soils (Andisol and Inceptisol) with regard to soil organic carbon (SOC), total organic carbon (TOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), recalcitrant organic carbon (ROC), soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil water repellency (SWR), soil aggregate stability (SAS), and mineralogy using X-ray diffraction (XRD). SOC and TOC decreased as temperatures increased, with a more pronounced decrease in Andisol (90% loss) than in Inceptisol (80% loss). DOC and SWR peaked at 300 °C but disappeared above 600 °C. Further, ROC increased at 300 °C in both soils, but behaved differently at higher temperatures, remaining stable in Inceptisol and being eliminated in Andisol. Soil pH increased at 600 and 900 °C; meanwhile, EC increased progressively in Andisol but peaked at 300 °C in Inceptisol. SAS remained high in both soils (between 85 and 95%) despite heating. The mineralogical analysis demonstrated how heating induced transformations in iron minerals into more oxidized forms (as hematite and maghemite) in the Andisol, while clay minerals and gibbsite decreased feldspar and quartz accumulation promotion in the Inceptisol. In summary, the initial properties of each soil influenced their respective responses to fire.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/8/7/277heatingInceptisolAndisolorganic carbon fractionsSWRmineral transformations
spellingShingle Karla Erazo
Clara Martí-Dalmau
David Badía-Villas
Silvia Quintana-Esteras
Blanca Bauluz
Carolina Merino
The Effects of Burning Intensity on the Soil C-Related Properties and Mineralogy of Two Contrasting Forest Soils from Chilean National Parks
Fire
heating
Inceptisol
Andisol
organic carbon fractions
SWR
mineral transformations
title The Effects of Burning Intensity on the Soil C-Related Properties and Mineralogy of Two Contrasting Forest Soils from Chilean National Parks
title_full The Effects of Burning Intensity on the Soil C-Related Properties and Mineralogy of Two Contrasting Forest Soils from Chilean National Parks
title_fullStr The Effects of Burning Intensity on the Soil C-Related Properties and Mineralogy of Two Contrasting Forest Soils from Chilean National Parks
title_full_unstemmed The Effects of Burning Intensity on the Soil C-Related Properties and Mineralogy of Two Contrasting Forest Soils from Chilean National Parks
title_short The Effects of Burning Intensity on the Soil C-Related Properties and Mineralogy of Two Contrasting Forest Soils from Chilean National Parks
title_sort effects of burning intensity on the soil c related properties and mineralogy of two contrasting forest soils from chilean national parks
topic heating
Inceptisol
Andisol
organic carbon fractions
SWR
mineral transformations
url https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/8/7/277
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