New research published in the journal Science is reshaping our understanding of global soil carbon reserves. While soil carbon has typically been associated with its organic component (SOC), inorganic carbon (SIC), often overlooked, plays a significant role in carbon storage.
Traditionally, SIC, primarily calcium carbonate, was considered insignificant due to its accumulation in arid regions with infertile soils. However, a groundbreaking study led by Huang Yuanyuan and Zhang Ganlin from the Institute of Soil Science at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has quantified the global SIC store, challenging previous assumptions.
The team's findings reveal that inorganic carbon accounts for a substantial portion of the Earth's soil carbon, highlighting the importance of considering both organic and inorganic forms when assessing soil carbon budgets. This discovery has pivotal implications for climate change models and soil management practices worldwide.
By uncovering the vast inorganic carbon reservoirs, the research provides a more comprehensive picture of the global carbon cycle, opening new avenues for carbon sequestration strategies and environmental conservation efforts.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
