Important role of Fe oxides in global soil carbon stabilization and stocks
Iron (Fe) oxides can interact with soil organic carbon (SOC) to form Fe-bound organic carbon (OC-Fe), which strongly promotes SOC protection, mitigating global climate change. However, the global patterns and factors controlling OC-Fe are unclear. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis of 3,395 globally distributed soil profiles to reveal the role of Fe-Al oxides in global soil carbon stabilization and stocks. The global OC-Fe stock in topsoil is 233 PgC, accounting for 33 ± 15% of the total SOC stock. A substantial OC-Fe deficit (difference between OC-Fe and OC-Fe<sub>max</sub>) was observed at the equator and at mid-latitudes. Our findings suggest that mineral factors should be incorporated into soil carbon models to improve model predictions. Although there are uncertainties in current OC-Fe extraction method, the global distribution of OC-Fe and OC-Fe<sub>max</sub> constitutes a vital resource for future research targeting carbon cycling issues and offers innovative strategies for global soil carbon sequestration initiatives.
Authors
- Mingyu Xie (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8860-2513)
- Lei Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7596-1357)
- Nan Jia
- Hui Guo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4333-6167)
Institutions
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
- North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power (CN)
- Institute of Ecology and Geography (MD)
- Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (CN)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
- Bristol-Myers Squibb (Switzerland) (CH)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2024-11-28
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54832-8
- Citations
- 99
- Primary Topic
- Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 33.04
Funders
- Natural Science Foundation of Xinjiang Province
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Natural Science Foundation of Xinjiang
- Youth Innovation Promotion Association