LOSS OF ORGANIC-MATTER IN ATLANTIC FOREST SOILS DUE TO WILDFIRES - CALCULATION OF THE IGNITION TEMPERATURE

The effect of burning on the organic matter of three forest soils, whi ch had been affected by wildfires within one month prior to sampling, was studied using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The soils were cambisols under Pinus spp. located in Galicia (NW Spain). Thermo grams of the soils were carried out between 50 and 600 degrees C. The combustion enthalpies of the soils were determined from the thermogram s. By comparing the combustion enthalpy data of the burnt soils and th at of the corresponding unburnt soils, the loss of organic matter due to the burning was calculated. The ignition temperature for each soil was also estimated from the thermograms.