Scientists Uncover Vast Global Reserves of Soil Carbon
Soil carbon plays a crucial role in Earth’s carbon cycle, influencing climate change and agricultural productivity. Traditionally, discussions about soil carbon have focused on soil organic carbon (SOC), derived from decomposed organic matter. However, recent research has shed new light on the significance of soil inorganic carbon (SIC), challenging long-held beliefs about its importance.
In a groundbreaking study published in the journal Science, an international team of researchers led by Huang Yuanyuan from the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Zhang Ganlin from the Institute of Soil Science of the CAS quantified the global storage of SIC.
Previously, SIC—often existing as calcium carbonate—was considered less significant, mainly accumulating in arid regions with infertile soils. This perception led to its underrepresentation in global carbon assessments.
“Our findings reveal that soil inorganic carbon is a major component of the global carbon reservoir,” said Huang Yuanyuan. “By quantifying SIC on a global scale, we’ve discovered that it accounts for a substantial portion of soil carbon, which has profound implications for understanding carbon dynamics and climate modeling.”
The study highlights that SIC, like SOC, plays a vital role in sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Recognizing the significance of SIC could lead to improved strategies for carbon management and climate change mitigation.
“This research challenges the traditional focus solely on organic carbon,” explained Zhang Ganlin. “It opens new avenues for scientists and policymakers to consider inorganic carbon when developing environmental and agricultural policies.”
The team’s work underscores the need to reevaluate global carbon budgets and encourages further investigation into the role of SIC in various ecosystems.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
