Abstract

In temperate rainforest soils of southern Chile (38 degrees S), there are high rates of soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization under oxygen (O-2) limitation. We study the combined effects of Fenton reactions and the activity of two enzymes manganese peroxidase (MnP) and lignin peroxidase (LiP), which was hypothesised potentiate SOC mineralization under anoxic conditions leading to carbon dioxide (CO2) release. Both mechanisms produce free radicals when competing for SOC oxidation in the absence of microorganisms. We quantify the CO2 release by induced Fenton reactions in combination with MnP and LiP under aerobic and anaerobic conditions (20 degrees C, 36 h) in temperate rainforest soils. CO2 levels released by Fenton reactions and enzyme activity were eight times higher than those released by Fenton reaction and peroxidase enzymes in individual treatment. Approximately 31% of the CO2 released under aerobic soil incubation was found to be abiotic (sterilized), while 69% was biotic (non-sterilized soils), and respective values of 17% and 83% were recorded under anaerobic conditions. The relative fluorescence intensity clearly shows .OH radicals production from Fenton reactions. In conclusion, levels of MnP and LiP coupled with Fenton reactions strongly increase SOC mineralization under long periods of O-2 limitation in temperate rainforest soils.