Microbial processing of organic matter drives stability and pore geometry of soil aggregates

The formation and stability of aggregates are crucial for soil function. Here we seek to understand the influence of microbial processing on the formation of aggregates in a structurally homogeneous microcosm, treated with two different types of organic matter - glucose and cellulose. The results demonstrated that decomposition of organic matter triggered the formation of water stable macro-aggregates and the carbon (C) that cemented the aggregates was derived primarily from microbial source. The porosity and pore connectivity of the newly formed aggregates in the glucose amended soils provided evidence of the development of physically stable aggregates rendered by the cementation process.