Submicron structures provide preferential spots for carbon and nitrogen sequestration in soils
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- Submicron structures provide preferential spots for carbon and nitrogen sequestration in soils
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The sequestration of carbon and nitrogen by clay-sized particles in soils is well established, and clay content or mineral surface area has been used to estimate the sequestration potential of soils. Here, via incubation of a sieved (<2mm) topsoil with labelled litter, we find that only some of the clay-sized surfaces bind organic matter (OM). Surprisingly, <19% of the visible mineral areas show an OM attachment. OM is preferentially associated with organo-mineral clusters with rough surfaces. By combining nano-scale secondary ion mass spectrometry and isotopic tracing, we distinguish between new labelled and pre-existing OM and show that new OM is preferentially attached to already present organo-mineral clusters. These results, which provide evidence that only a limited proportion of the clay-sized surfaces contribute to OM sequestration, revolutionize our view of carbon sequestration in soils and the widely used carbon saturation estimates.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 2947 |
Journal | Nature Communications |
Volume | 5 |
ISSN | 2041-1723 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 7 Jan 2014 |
Externally published | Yes |
ID: 239161768