Soil biogeochemical data from an incubation experiment testing freeze-thaw and drought effects on alpine soil from Vent, Austria

Soil (10-cm depth) was collected in the field (field site near Vent, Austria) using a spade and shipped to the University of Manchester on ice. An incubation experiment was run testing freeze-thaw and drought effects. The experimental treatments included freeze-thaw cycle frequency (0, 1, 2 and 4 cycles of freezing and thawing) followed by drought intensity (9 point gradient of 10-60% Water Holding Capacity (WHC) of soil). Samples were destructively harvested and soil biogeochemical data were measured using a Seal AA3 Segmented Flow Multi-chemistry analyser (Seal Analytical, UK), a 5000A TOC analyser (Shimadzu, Japan), and an Elementar Vario EL elemental analyser (Hanau, Germany) at the Soil and Ecosystem Ecology Lab at the University of Manchester. Specifically, dissolved organic carbon (DTOC) and nitrogen (DON); dissolved NH4+ (DNH4) and NO3- (DNO3); KCl-extracted NH4+ (ENH4) and NO3- (ENO3); Microbial biomass C (MBC), N (MBN), and C:N ratio (MBCN); soil %C (pct_C), %N (pct_N) and C:N ratio (CN_ratio). All instruments were calibrated to cover the full range of sample values. This varied depending on the timepoint, instrument and variable being analysed. Standard practice and protocols within the Soil Ecology and Ecosystem lab at the University of Manchester were followed at all times. Any samples that fell outwith the calibrated range of the instrument were re-analysed with a new calibration to cover the extended range. Appropriate quality control standards were inserted approximately every 20 samples on every run on each instrument to determine the readings were accurate. Three blanks of the extraction matrix (i.e., water, KCl or K2SO4) were measured during every run and subtracted from the samples to account for background concentrations. If errors were detected, the instruments were repaired, and samples were re-run. Raw data were converted into concentrations (per gram of dry soil).

This dataset is under embargo and will be made available by 30 August 2027 at the latest   Find out more »