Geological Influence on Selected Soil Physicochemical Properties and Carbon-Nitrogen Stocks in Granito-Gneissic Basement and Sedimentary Basins of Gabon

Rolf Gael Mabicka Obame; Elie Fosso Menkem; Neil-Yohan Musadji; Maurice Ognalaga; Lydie-Stella Koutika; Oreodjogo Nouhando Graham; Warren Mayobe; Hervé Patrick Opiangah

doi:10.63095/NBSEH.26.103256

Authors

Rolf Gael Mabicka Obame University of Science and Technology of Masuku (https://ror.org/03f0njg03), National Higher Institute of Agronomy and Biotechnology (INSAB), Department of Phytotechnology, Soil and Environmental Analysis Laboratory, P.O. Box 901, Franceville, Gabon.
Elie Fosso Menkem University of Buea (https://ror.org/041kdhz15), Department of Geology, Buea, Cameroon.
Neil-Yohan Musadji University of Science and Technology of Masuku (https://ror.org/03f0njg03), National Higher Institute of Agronomy and Biotechnology (INSAB), Department of Fundamental Engineering Sciences, Soil and Environmental Analysis Laboratory, Laboratory of Chemistry, Environments and Inorganic Materials Franceville, Gabon.
Maurice Ognalaga University of Science and Technology of Masuku (https://ror.org/03f0njg03), National Higher Institute of Agronomy and Biotechnology (INSAB), Department of Fundamental Engineering Sciences, Soil and Environmental Analysis Laboratory, Laboratory of Chemistry, Environments and Inorganic Materials Franceville, Gabon.
Lydie-Stella Koutika Soil Care & environment Studies (SCES), Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo.
Oreodjogo Nouhando Graham University of Science and Technology of Masuku (https://ror.org/03f0njg03), National Higher Institute of Agronomy and Biotechnology (INSAB), Department of Phytotechnology, Soil and Environmental Analysis Laboratory, P.O. Box 901, Franceville, Gabon.
Warren Mayobe University of Science and Technology of Masuku (https://ror.org/03f0njg03), National Higher Institute of Agronomy and Biotechnology (INSAB), Department of Phytotechnology, Soil and Environmental Analysis Laboratory, P.O. Box 901, Franceville, Gabon.
Hervé Patrick Opiangah Gabonese agricultural development company of Gabon PO Box 7543 Libreville, Gabon.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.26.103256

Keywords:

Soil carbon, Nitrogen, CO₂eq, Forest age, Gabon

Abstract

Gabon, with nearly 22 million ha of forest, is the second most forested country in Africa and part of the Congo Basin. Its diverse geology affects soil functioning. This study assessed soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN) and carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂eq) in rainforest soils from the granito-gneissic basement and coastal sedimentary basin of Gabon at depths of 0–30 cm. Bulk density, sand, clay, SOC (115.33 Mg C ha⁻¹), TN (9.83 Mg N ha⁻¹) and CO₂eq (417.52 Mg CO₂ ha⁻¹) were higher in the granito-gneissic basement, whereas pH and silt (33.3 %) were greater in the sedimentary basin. Despite very sensitive variabilities, the results present good evidence indicating a strong influence of lithology and vegetation cover on soil texture and nutrient richness. This study has identified for the first time the key elements to consider for sustainable soil carbon management.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Chen, N., Zhong, L., Jie, D., Wang, J., Li, D., Gao, G., Chen, J., Chen, Y., Halian, B., & Wang, F., 2021, Characteristics of phytolith-occluded organic carbon sequestration in typical plant communities in the Songnen grassland, China. Ecological Engineering 173, 106442. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2021.106442

FAO, 2017. Soil Organic Carbon: The Hidden Potential. (Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations).

Taylor, A., Wynants, M., Munishi, L., Kelly, C., Mtei, K., Mkilema, F., Ndakidemi, P., Nasseri, M., Kalnins, A., & Patrick, A., 2021, Building climate change adaptation and resilience through soil organic carbon restoration in sub-Saharan rural communities: Challenges and opportunities. Sustainability 13(19), 10966. https://doi.org/10.3390/su131910966

Niu, S., Gao, L., & Wang, X., 2019, Characterisation of contamination levels of heavy metals in agricultural soils using geochemical baseline concentrations. Journal of Soils and Sediments 19, 1697–1707. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-018-2190-1

Zinn, Y. L., de Faria, J. A., de Araujo, M. A., & Skorupa, A. L. A., 2020, Soil parent material is the main control on heavy metal concentrations in tropical highlands of Brazil. Catena 185, 104319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2019.104319

Wiesmeier, M., Spörlein, P., Geuß, U., Hangen, E., Haug, S., Reischl, A., Schilling, B., von Lützow, M., & Kögel-Knabner, I., 2012, Soil organic carbon stocks in southeast Germany (Bavaria) as affected by land use, soil type and sampling depth. Global Change Biology 18(7), 2233–2245. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2486.2012.02699.x

Barré, P., Durand, H., Chenu, C., Meunier, P., Montagne, D., Castel, G., Billiou, D., Soucémarianadin, L., & Cécillon, L., 2017, Geological control of soil organic carbon and nitrogen stocks at the landscape scale. Geoderma 285, 50–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2016.09.029

Tsozué, D., Nghonda, J. P., Tematio, P., & Basga, S. D., 2019, Changes in soil properties and soil organic carbon stocks along an elevation gradient at Mount Bambouto, Central Africa. Catena 175, 251–262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2018.12.028

Heckman, K., Welty-Bernard, A., Rasmussen, C., & Schwartz, E., 2009, Geologic controls of soil carbon cycling and microbial dynamics in temperate conifer forests. Chemical Geology 267(1–2), 12–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2009.01.004

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 2006, 2006 IPCC guidelines for national greenhouse gas inventories: Volume 4. Agriculture, forestry and other land use. (Geneva, Switzerland: IPCC). Retrieved from https://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2006gl/vol4.html

Lal, R., 2002, Soil carbon dynamics in cropland and rangeland. Environmental Pollution 116(3), 353–362. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0269-7491(01)00211-1

De Vos, B., Cools, N., Ilvesniemi, H., Vesterdal, L., Vanguelova, E., & Carnicelli, S., 2015, Benchmark values for forest soil carbon stocks in Europe: Results from a large-scale forest soil survey. Geoderma 251–252, 33–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2015.03.008

Tsozué, D., Noubissie, N. M. M., Tamto Mamdem, E. L., Basga, S. D., & Oyono, D. L. B., 2021, Effects of environmental factors and soil properties on soil organic carbon stock in a natural dry tropical area of Cameroon. SOIL 7, 677–691. https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-677-2021

Lyu, H., Ashida, K., Urayama, S., Hartono, A., Kilasara, M., Mvondo Ze, A. D., Nakao, A., Sugihara, S., Dahlgren, R. A., Funakawa, S., & Watanabe, T., 2025, Controls on soil organic carbon across soil depths in tropical and temperate non-volcanic regions. Geoderma 458, 117335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2025.117335

Thiéblemont, D., Castaing, C., Billa, M., Bouton, P., & Préat, A., 2009, Notice explicative de la carte géologique et des ressources minérales de la République gabonaise à 1/1 000 000. Libreville, (Gabon: Éditions de la Direction Générale des Mines et de la Géologie), 384 p

Mbina Mounguengui, M., & Guiraud, M., 2009, Neocomian to early Aptian syn-rift evolution of the normal to oblique-rifted North Gabon Margin (Interior and N'Komi Basins). Marine and Petroleum Geology 26(6), 1000–1017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2008.11.001.

Wade, A. M., Richter, D. D., Medjibe, V. P., Bacon, A. R., Heine, P. R., White, L. J. T., & Poulsen, J. R., 2019, Estimates and determinants of stocks of deep soil carbon in Gabon, Central Africa. Geoderma 341, 236–248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2019.01.004

Mabicka Obame, R. G., Musadji, N.-Y., Ndongo, A., Soumaho, J., Mouha Edou, D.-L., Abaker Madi, G., Ondo, J. A., Ravire, E., & Mbina Mounguengui, M., 2021, Carbon and nitrogen stocks under various land cover in Gabon. Geoderma Regional 25, e00363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geodrs.2021.e00363

IUSS Working Group WRB., 2022, World Reference Base for Soil Resources: International soil classification system for naming soils and creating legends for soil maps (4th ed.). (Vienna: International Union of Soil Sciences). https://files.isric.org/public/documents/WRB_fourth_edition_2022-12-18.pdf

Bouyoucos, G. J., 1962, Hydrometer method improved for making particle size analyses of soils. Agronomy Journal 54(5), 464–465. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj1962.00021962005400050028x

Walkley, A., & Black, I. A., 1934, An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter, and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method. Soil Science 37(1), 29–38. https://doi.org/10.1097/00010694-193401000-00003

Nelson, D. W., & Sommers, L. E., 1982, Total carbon, organic carbon, and organic matter. In A. L. Page (Ed.), Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 2. Chemical and Microbiological Properties (2nd ed., pp. 539–579). (Madison, WI: American Society of Agronomy). https://doi.org/10.2134/agronmonogr9.2.2ed.c29

Bremner, J. M., 1996, Nitrogen – Total. In D. L. Sparks, A. L. Page, P. A. Helmke, R. H. Loeppert, P. N. Soltanpour, M. A. Tabatabai, C. T. Johnston, & M. E. Sumner (Eds.), Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 3. Chemical Methods (pp. 1085–1121). (Madison, WI: Soil Science Society of America). https://doi.org/10.2136/sssabookser5.3.c37

Kauffman, J. B., & Donato, D. C., 2012, Protocols for the measurement, monitoring and reporting of structure, biomass and carbon stocks in mangrove forests (Working Paper 86). (Bogor, Indonesia: Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)). https://www.cifor-icraf.org/publications/pdf_files/WPapers/WP86CIFOR.pdf

Hamilton, S.E., Casey D., 2016, Creation of a high spatio-temporal resolution global database of continuous mangrove forest cover for the 21st century (CGMFC-21). Global Ecology and Biogeography, Global Ecology Biogeography 25, 729-738. https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.12449

R Core Team., 2021, R: A language and environment for statistical computing [Software]. R Foundation for Statistical Computing. https://www.R-project.org/.

Oguike, P.C., Mbagwu, J.S.C., 2009. Variation in some physical properties and organic matters content of soils of coastal plain sand under different land-use types. World Journal of Agriculture Science 5, 63–67.

Akinde, B. P., Olakayode, A. O., Oyedele, D. J., & Tijani, F. O., 2020, Selected physical and chemical properties of soil under different agricultural land-use types in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Heliyon 6(9), e05090. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05090

Song, L., Liu, L., Wang, L., & Sheng, M., 2025. Effects of forest age and bedrock on soil phytolith-occluded organic carbon accumulation of large-diameter bamboo forests in southwest China. Soil Ecological Letters 7, 240272. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42832-024-0272-0

Hassink, J., 1997, The capacity of soils to preserve organic C and N by their association with clay and silt particles. Plant and Soil 191, 77–87. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004213929699

Arrouays, D., Saby, N., Walter, C., Lemercier, B., & Schvartz, C., 2006, Relationships between particle-size distribution and organic carbon in French arable topsoils. European Journal of Soil Science 57(4), 602–613. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-2743.2006.00020.x

Johannes, A., Sauzet, O., Matter, A., & Boivin, P., 2023, Soil organic carbon content and soil structure quality of clayey cropland soils: A large-scale study in the Swiss Jura region. Soil Use and Management 39(1), 159–173. https://doi.org/10.1111/sum.12879

de Souza Lopes, T. C., Portela, J. C., Batista, R. O., Bandeira, D. J. da C., Leite, I. de O., Ramalho, L. B., Gondim, J. E. F., da Costa, J. D., Gurgel, M. T., & Souza, C. M. M., 2022, Clay fraction mineralogy and structural soil attributes of two soil classes under the semi-arid climate of Brazil. Land 11(12), 2192. https://doi.org/10.3390/land11122192

Kenfack, F. A. S., Kome, G. K., Ibrahim, A. B., Mandah, V. P., & Bitondo, D., 2024, Soil Organic Carbon Stock Variation under Different Soil Types and Land Uses in the Sub-Humid Noun Plain, Western Cameroon. Open Journal of Soil Science 14(4), 191-209. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojss.2024.144011

Hartmann, A., Weiler, M., & Blume, T., 2020, The impact of landscape evolution on soil physics: Evolution of soil physical and hydraulic properties along two chronosequences of proglacial moraines. Earth System Science Data 12, 3189–3204. https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-12-3189-2020

Suther, B. E., Leigh, D. S., & West, L. T., 2022, Soil chemistry and clay mineralogy of an alluvial chronosequence from the North Carolina Sandhills of the Upper Coastal Plain, USA. Soil Systems, 6(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems6010001

Taalab, K. P., Corstanje, R., Creamer, R., & Whelan, M. J., 2013, Modelling soil bulk density at the landscape scale and its contributions to carbon stock uncertainty. Biogeosciences 10, 4691–4704. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-10-4691-2013

Jones, A., Breuning-Madsen, H., Brossard, M., Dampha, A., Deckers, J., Dewitte, O., Gallali, T., Hallett, S., Jones, R., Kilasara, M., Le Roux, P., Micheli, E., Montanarella, L., Spaargaren, O., Thiombiano, L., Van Ranst, E., Yemefack, M., & Zougmore, R. (2013). Soil atlas of africa. Luxembourg: European Commission, ISBN 978-92-79-26715-4

Georgiou, K., Jackson, R. B., Vindušková, O., Abramoff, R. Z., Ahlström, A., Feng, W., Harden, J. W., Pellegrini, A. F. A., Polley, H. W., Soong, J. L., Riley, W. J., & Torn, M. S., 2022, Global stocks and capacity of mineral-associated soil organic carbon. Nature Communications 13, Article 3797. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-31452-0

Quesada, C. A., Paz, C., Oblitas Mendoza, E., Phillips, O. L., Saiz, G., & Lloyd, J., 2020, Variations in soil chemical and physical properties explain basin-wide Amazon forest soil carbon concentrations. Soil, 6, 53–88. https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-6-53-2020

Parada, J., Neaman, A., Zamorano, D., Nájera, F., & Matus, F., 2024, Management and liming-induced changes in organo-Al/Fe complexes and amorphous mineral-associated organic carbon: Implications for carbon sequestration in volcanic soils. Soil and Tillage Research 242, 106133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2024.106133

Kögel-Knabner, I., 2002, The macromolecular organic composition of plant and microbial residues as inputs to soil organic matter. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 34, 139–162. https://doi 10.1016/S0038-0717(01)00158-4

Crow, S. E., Lajtha, K., Filley, T. R., Swanston, C. W., Bowden, R. D., & Caldwell, B. A., 2009, Sources of plant-derived carbon and stability of organic matter in soil: Implications for global change. Global Change Biology 15(8), 2003–2019. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2486.2009.01850.x

Nie, Y. P., Chen, H. S., Wang, K. L., Tan, W., Deng, Y., & Yang, J., 2014, Seasonal variations in leaf δ¹³C values: Implications for different water-use strategies among species growing on continuous dolomite outcrops in subtropical China. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum 36, 2571–2579. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-014-1628-3

Wang, K., Sheng, M., Wang, L., He, Y., & Guo, C., 2022, Response of soil phytolith occluded organic carbon accumulation to long-term vegetation restoration in Southwest China karst. Land Degradation & Development 33(16), 4292–4306. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.4374

Satdichanh, M., Dossa, G. G. O., Yan, K., Tomlinson, K. W., Barton, K. E., Crow, S. E., Winowiecki, L., Vågen, T.-G., Xu, J., & Harrison, R. D., 2023, Drivers of soil organic carbon stock during tropical forest succession. Journal of Ecology 111(8), 1691–1706. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.14141

Lajtha, K., Bowden, R. D., & Nadelhoffer, K., 2014, Litter and root manipulations provide insights into soil organic matter dynamics and stability. Soil Science Society of America Journal 78(S1), S261–S269. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2013.08.0370nafsc

Ker, J. C., Curi, N., & Schaefer, C. E. G. R., 2000, Avaliação de atributos morfológicos, físicos e químicos de Ferralsolos e solos relacionados [Evaluation of morphological, physical and chemical characteristics of Ferralsols and related soils]. Revista Brasileira de Ciência do Solo 24(3), 573–587. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-06832000000300011

Chiu, C.-Y., Baillie, I., Jien, S.-H., & Chen, T.-H., 2021, Sequestration of P fractions in the soils of an incipient ferralisation chronosequence on a humid tropical volcanic island. Botanical Studies 62, 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40529-021-00326-5

Mainka, M., Summerauer, L., Wasner, D., Garland, G., Griepentrog, M., Berhe, A. A., & Doetterl, S., 2022, Soil geochemistry as a driver of soil organic matter composition: Insights from a soil chronosequence. Biogeosciences 19(6), 1675–1689. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-1675-2022

Uwiragiye, Y., Khalaf, Q. A. W., Ali, H. M., Ngaba, M. J. Y., Yang, M., Elrys, A. S., Chen, Z., & Zhou, J., 2023, Spatio-temporal variations in soil pH and aluminium toxicity in sub-Saharan African croplands (1980–2050). Remote Sensing 15(5), 1338. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15051338

Chaudhari, P. R., Ahire, D. V., Ahire, V. D., Chkravarty, M., & Maity, S., 2013, Soil bulk density as related to soil texture, organic matter content and available total nutrients of Coimbatore soil. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications 3(2), 1–8.

da Silva, R. J. A. B., da Silva, Y. J. A. B., van Straaten, P., do Nascimento, C. W. A., Biondi, C. M., da Silva, Y. J. A. B., & de Araújo Filho, J. C., 2022, Influence of parent material on soil chemical characteristics in a semi-arid tropical region of Northeast Brazil. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 194, 331. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-022-09914-9

Smart, K. E., & Singer, D. M., 2023, Surface coal mine soils: Evidence for chronosequence development. Soil Systems 7(2), 59. https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems7020059