Chloroform+Fumigation+Direct+Extraction+(CFDE)

Chloroform fumigation extraction is often used to estimate the total microbial biomass of soils. Fumigation of soil samples allows the total biomass of carbon to be measured more accurately. The carbon biomass is soils is determined by multiplying chloroform-labile-carbon by a conversion factor to give a numerical representation of the microbial biomass present in a given sample.
 * Introduction**

Soil samples are transferred into beakers, and beakers are then placed in a glass vacuum dessicator. Samples are then fumigated for up to 5 days. After samples are fumigated, samples are extracted using 0.5M Potassium-sulfate. Ratios of soil to extractant range from 2:1 up to 5:1 depending on organic matter present in samples. Once extracted samples are vacuum filtered, carbon biomass is determined by using a carbon analyzer.
 * General Procedure**

The extraction of soluble organics through chloroform fumigation allows researchers to be able to more accurately determine total microbial biomass in soil samples. Without chloroform fumigation, analysis for carbon biomass is far less accurate. Using both fumigated and non-fumigate analysis of soil samples a very precise representation of microbial biomass can be verified.
 * Discussion**


 * References**

Needelman, Brian A., Wander, Michelle M., & Shi, Guangqin S. (2001). Organic carbon extraction efficiency in chloroform fumigated and non-fumigated soils. //Soil Science Society of America Journal//. //65//, 1731-1733.

Vance, et al. (1987).Chloroform Fumigation Direct Extraction Procedure. //Soil Biology & Biochemistry//. //19(6)//, 703-707.