Non-selective signal loss in the 13C CPMAS NMR spectra of soil organic matter : investigations of particle size fractions
- In the CPMAS spectra of soil samples, the paramagnetic soil constituents partially discriminate against the Signal intensity of the 13C atoms.The aim of the study was to check to what extend the signal depression is selective to a certain kind of carbon species. A strong linear correlation between the detectability of carbon and the cube root of wt.% Fe was observed for both, the total signal and the signal of the carbon species as well. For a C:Fe ratio of 1,5 - 20 non selective signal loss caused by the iron particles dominates. Despite the high percentage of non-detectable carbon the 13C CPMAS spectra correctly reflect the relative composition of soil organic matter
