Mineralization (soil science)

For other uses, see Mineralization.

Mineralization in soil science is decomposition or oxidation of the chemical compounds in organic matter into plant-accessible forms. Mineralization is the opposite of immobilization.

Carbon to nitrogen ratio

Whether nitrogen is mineralized or immobilized depends on the C/N ratio of the plant residues. In general plant residues entering the soil have too little nitrogen for the soil microbial population to convert all of the carbon into their cells. If the C:N ratio of the decomposing plant material is above about 30:1 the soil microbial population may take nitrogen in mineral form (e.g. nitrate). This mineral nitrogen is said to be immobilized. This may cause nitrogen deficiency in plants growing in the soil.

As carbon dioxide is released via decomposition the C:N ratio of the organic matter decreases, and the microbial demand for mineral nitrogen is decreased. When the C:N ratio falls below about 25:1 further decomposition results in simultaneous mineralization of nitrogen which is in excess to that required by the microbial population.

When decomposition is virtually complete soil mineral nitrogen will be higher than it was initially due to mineralization of the plant residue nitrogen.

See also

• Humus
• Mineral matter in plants
• Soil chemistry
• Soil biology
• Remineralisation
• Immobilization (soil science)
• Carbon cycle
• Nitrogen cycle