Physical fractionation and cryo-coupe analysis of mormoder humus

Soil micromorphology plays a key role in the research of the decomposition, storage, and mineralisation of soil organic matter. It is often difficult to study the internal fabrics and stability of soil aggregates, based on soil micromorphological properties. Similar to physical fractionation of soil inorganic particles organic matter from ectorganic and endorganic horizons can also be fractionated. Quantification of aggregate stability can be achieved, by the weight percentage of such fractions. Also the micromorphological properties of soil particles can be studied using cryo-coupes from gelatin suspensions prepared in a cryostat. The results of physical fractionation and cryo-coupe analysis improve our knowledge on the development of the humus form in the soil.