Importance of the granulometric composition groups in carbon accumulation in mineral topsoil within LUCAS 2009 project

Soil samples in 349  sampling plots were obtained within the LUCAS project in 2009; from these, 205 soil samples were collected in agricultural lands (grasslands, arable lands, grasslands overgrown by trees and shrubs), and 133 soil samples were obtained in forests (deciduous, coniferous and mixed forests), as well as 7 soil samples–in scrublands. The results of this study show that relatively low content of organic carbon is detected in soils with relatively high amount of sand particles (sand, sandy loam) in comparison to soil textural classes (silt, loam, clay), characterised by relatively high amount of clay and silt particles. The results show that differences in organic carbon content in mineral topsoil (0–20 cm) is mainly determined by the soil textural classes, as well as the land use (arable land, grasslands, grasslands with trees and shrubs, coniferous forests, deciduous forests, mixed forests). Study results show that anthropogenic activities have a crucial role.