There is an increasing interest and focus to store more carbon into the soils. Majority of the soil carbon estimating up to 90% in some soils is mineral associated carbon. The mineral associate carbon has higher mean residence time in the soils. Therefore, researchers are examining whether more carbon can be store in the soil by increasing the mineral-organic matter association. Given that the mineral associated carbon is less reactive due to strong interactions between soil minerals, it is likely that storing carbon in the mineral associated fractions will comprise the nutrient cycling role of soil organic matter. I will appreciate it if you comment and include articles related to this topic. Thank you.
Yes, the stabilization of carbon in the mineral-associated fractions of soil does play a crucial role in the nutrient cycling of soil organic matter.
Soil organic matter (SOM) is composed of various organic materials in different stages of decomposition, including plant and animal residues, microbial biomass, and other organic compounds. As organic matter decomposes, it releases nutrients that are essential for plant growth and soil fertility. These nutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and micronutrients like iron and zinc.
One important process in soil organic matter dynamics is carbon stabilization, which refers to the conversion of labile or easily decomposable organic carbon into more stable forms that persist in the soil for longer periods. This stabilization occurs through various mechanisms, including physical protection within soil aggregates and chemical binding to mineral surfaces.
When carbon becomes mineral-associated or protected within soil aggregates, it becomes less susceptible to rapid microbial decomposition. This means that it remains in the soil for extended periods, contributing to the soil's organic carbon pool and forming what is known as soil organic carbon (SOC). The stabilization of carbon in mineral-associated fractions helps to build up SOC levels, which is essential for maintaining soil fertility and improving soil health.
Additionally, the process of carbon stabilization in the mineral-associated fractions also facilitates the cycling of nutrients. As organic matter decomposes, the nutrients it contains are released into the soil solution. However, if the carbon is stabilized, the nutrients are also protected and can be stored in the soil, making them available for plant uptake over longer periods. This enhances nutrient cycling and reduces the risk of nutrient loss through leaching or erosion.
In summary, the stabilization of carbon in mineral-associated fractions of soil organic matter plays a vital role in nutrient cycling and overall soil fertility, contributing to the productivity and sustainability of ecosystems. It represents an essential mechanism by which carbon and nutrients are stored and released in the soil, supporting plant growth and ecosystem functioning.
I would guess that as extra organic matter is added it would be progressively less-well protected by the processes you describe. If you like, the half-life will become progressively shorter.
Carbon stabilization refers to transformation of easily decomposable organic carbon into more stable form, which has increased shelf life for years.
One of the major examples of carbon stabilization is biochar.
Biochar is a product rich in carbon that comes from the pyrolysis of biomass, generally of vegetable origin. It is obtained by the decomposition of organic matter exposed to temperatures between 350-600°C in an atmosphere with low oxygen availability (pyrolysis), which can be slow, intermediate or fast.
Stable carbon or mineral associated carbon (like biochar) has less short time effect but more long time effect which includes:
Biochar itself is a porous material thus it can adsorb and retain a huge amount of water. During thermal conversion, the mineral and carbon skeleton formed retains the rudimentary porosity and structure of the original material.
Long-time benefit on nutrient availability due to greater stabilization of organic matter, concurrent slower nutrient release from added organic matter and better retention of all cations due to a greater cation exchange capacity.
It provides a suitable habitat for a large and diverse group of soil microorganisms.
It also helps in symbiosis between effective microbes and plant root through the medium of charcoal, that promotes growth of plant.
It has also been recognized that the presence of biochar in soil not only enhances the sorption of different pesticides but also affects the nature of sorption mechanisms and the bioavailability of pesticide residues for living organisms.
The additions of biochar to the agriculture soil showed higher CH₄ consumption because it improves soil aeration and porosity and enhances methanotrophs performance.
But it could not become more popular to the farmer specially to the Indian farmer, who has more interests on quick benefits of applied amendments to the soil. In order to obtain biochar with superior properties and extra benefit, different chemical modification on biochar are done.
In brief, Biochar application has great impacts on soil physical, chemical, and biological properties, plant growth, and crop yield. It directly affects soil bulk density, pH, water holding capacity, and nutrients contents. Due to the vast differences in biochar, its application methods and rates, the responses of soils and plants to biochar application vary dramatically among different experimental studies.
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