ARCSS004: Soil Properties of Carbon-Flux Monitoring Sites in Northwestern Alaska INVESTIGATORS: Chien-Lu Ping (Principal Investigator) and Gary J. Michaelson Palmer Research Center University of Alaska Fairbanks Palmer, AK 99645 USA SUMMARY: This data set includes basic soils data for ten ARCSS/LAII (Arctic System Science/Land-Atmosphere-Ice Interaction) carbon-flux monitoring sites, and several related sites, in northwestern Alaska. Soil profile descriptions, soil carbon data (including carbon quantity, quality, and distribution), soil bulk densities, and soil water content data are provided for each site. National Science Foundation grant OPP-9318534 supported the collection of these data. DATA DESCRIPTION: Data are stored in an Excel workbook titled "SOILSDAT.XLS," which includes the following nine worksheets: 1. Descriptive summary sheet of information regarding data 2. Table 1. Soils of C-flux study sites by genetic horizon 3. Table 2. Soils of C-flux study sites, data by average for each 10 cm increment of depth 4. Table 3. Soil organic C fraction distribution and hydrolyzable C for C-flux study sites 5. Table 4. Site information 6. Table 5. Summary of C-fraction and N stocks by 10 cm depth increments and C:N ratios 7. Table 6. Summary of C-fraction and N stocks by genetic horizon 8. Table 7. Summary of total pedon C and N stocks, and site descriptive data 9. Table 8. Soil bulk density, water content, mineral content, and percent organic matter data by 10 cm depth incrememts and by horizon ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Much of the carbon quality, quantity, and distribution data are presented and summarized in the following publication: Michaelson, G.J., Ping, C.L., and Kimble, J. 1996. Carbon storage and distribution in tundra soils of Arctic Alaska, USA. Arctic and Alpine Research 28(4): 414-424. More complete soil physical and chemical data for many of these sites are available from: USDA-NRCS National Soil Survey Center Soil Survey Laboratory Lincoln, NE 68508-3866 USA (Note that USDA-NRCS pedon reference numbers for these sites are S95AK-185-001 through S95AK-185-021.) The principal investigator can provide soil profile photos with sketches outlining soil horizon configurations. (See Chien-Lu Ping's contact information above.)