Distribution of amino sugars in forest soil profiles of the Changbai Mountain
长白山森林土壤剖面氨基糖的分布

The vertical distribution of three amino sugars and the contribution to organic matter pools in the soil profiles of the Changbai Mountain were discussed. The composite samples of organic layers and mineral horizons were collected at three sites (altitude, 600m, 1680m and 2580m) on the northern slope of the mountain. The contribution of three amino sugars to the total amounts of amino sugars was in the order glucosamine (GlucN) > galactosamine (GalN) > muramic acid (MurAc). The contents of amino sugars and the proportion of amino sugars to soil organic matter in the profiles increased from the top organic layer until A horizons, but they varied among the subsoil horizons. The ratios of GlucN/MurAc and GlucN/GalN in the soil horizons at different altitudes indicated that they might originate from different microbial communities.