Pyrolysis—gas chromatography—mass spectrometry of a low organic matter calcareous soil

A modification to the general method of pyrolysis-gas chromatography of soils which improves the reproducibility of the technique is described. It has been applied to the study of a calcareous soil, low in organic matter and varations have been studied in programs from soil at different depths as well as from the corresponding humic acids, fulvic acids and extraction residues.Most of the major peaks have identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry: they correspond to those cited in earlier works. Data are presented on the characteristics of the pyrolysis products of this soil in the relation to their probobic origin. The evolution of organic matter through various pyrolysis relations is also discussed.