Vulnerability of mineral-organic associations in the rhizosphere

Tobias Bölscher, Zoe G. Cardon, Mariela Garcia Arredondo, Stéphanie Grand, Gabriella Griffen, Rachel Hestrin, Josephine Imboden, Floriane Jamoteau, Emily M. Lacroix, Sherlynette Pérez Castro, Per Persson, William J. Riley and Marco Keiluweit ()
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Tobias Bölscher: UMR EcoSys
Zoe G. Cardon: The Ecosystems Center, Marine Biological Laboratory
Mariela Garcia Arredondo: Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture
Stéphanie Grand: University of Lausanne
Gabriella Griffen: Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts
Rachel Hestrin: Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts
Josephine Imboden: University of Lausanne
Floriane Jamoteau: University of Lausanne
Emily M. Lacroix: University of Lausanne
Sherlynette Pérez Castro: The Ecosystems Center, Marine Biological Laboratory
Per Persson: Lund University
William J. Riley: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Marco Keiluweit: University of Lausanne

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract The majority of soil carbon (C) is stored in organic matter associated with reactive minerals. These mineral-organic associations (MOAs) inhibit microbial and enzymatic access to organic matter, suggesting that organic C within MOAs is resistant to decomposition. However, plant roots and rhizosphere microbes are known to transform minerals through dissolution and exchange reactions, implying that MOAs in the rhizosphere can be dynamic. Here we identify key drivers, mechanisms, and controls of MOA disruption in the rhizosphere and present a new conceptual framework for the vulnerability of soil C within MOAs. We introduce a vulnerability spectrum that highlights how MOAs characteristic of certain ecosystems are particularly susceptible to specific root-driven disruption mechanisms. This vulnerability spectrum provides a framework for critically assessing the importance of MOA disruption mechanisms at the ecosystem scale. Comprehensive representation of not only root-driven MOA formation, but also disruption, will improve model projections of soil C-climate feedbacks and guide the development of more effective soil C management strategies.

Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-61273-4

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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61273-4

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