Solvent-extractable lipids in an acid andic forest soil; variations with depth and season

Total lipid extracts from an acid andic soil profile located on Madeira Island (Portugal) were analysed using gas chromatography (GC) and GC–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The profile was covered mainly by grass. Bulk soil characteristics determined included soil pH (H2O) ranging from 4.5 to 4.0 and TOC, ranging from 84 to 30 g kg−1. A decrease of the contribution of lipids per TOC with depth was observed. The absence of typical bacterial markers might be an indication for reduced bacterial activity, most likely related to the low soil pH and the presence of Al and Fe (oxides). The distribution observed in the top layer with a dominant C26 n-alkanol, steroids and triterpenoids, reflected mainly an input by grass leaves. A strong decrease in both relative and absolute concentration of these leaf-derived compounds was observed when comparing the litter layer with the mineral soil. The presence of C22–C32 n-alkanoic acids, C22–C26 ω-hydroxy acids, C31 n-alkane and C22–C32 n-alkanols observed in the sub-soil is indicative of an important contribution by (grass) roots. In summer, a signal most likely reflecting the leaching of microbially derived products from the litter and/or aerial vegetation at the surface was observed.