Important role of Fe oxides in global soil carbon stabilization and stocks

Nan Jia, Lei Li (), Hui Guo and Mingyu Xie
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Nan Jia: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Lei Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Hui Guo: College of Water Resources
Mingyu Xie: Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract 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-Femax) 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-Femax constitutes a vital resource for future research targeting carbon cycling issues and offers innovative strategies for global soil carbon sequestration initiatives.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-54832-8

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