To find new ways to store atmospheric carbon and fight climate change, researchers and scientists are considering different natural elements. This time Chinese researchers reveals giant global soil carbon storage. This will not just help with climate change mitigation but also improve soil health across the world.

A recently published research study was led by Prof. Zhang Ganlin from the Institute of Soil Science of CAS and Professor Huang Yuanyan from the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). Together they collaborated to quantify the global storage of SIC to challenge this view of considering it as waste.

Their discovery is mind-blowing as they found 2,305 billion tons of SIC stored in around the top 2 meters of soil worldwide. This is almost 5x the amount of carbon found in the vegetation of the world. This huge amount of soil carbon is expected to be helpful in understanding the movement of carbon around the globe.

Prof. Huang said, “But here’s the thing: This huge carbon pool is vulnerable to changes in the environment, especially soil acidification. Acids dissolve calcium carbonate and remove it either as carbon dioxide gas or directly into the water.”

“Many regions in countries like China and India are experiencing soil acidification due to industrial activities and intense farming. Without remedial actions and better soil practices, the world is likely to face a disturbance of SIC in the next 30 years,” she further added.

What is Soil Carbon?

It refers to the organic matter components called soil organic carbon (SOC) and inorganic component known as soil inorganic carbon (SIC) present in soil. Arid regions with infertile soil are richer in solid SIC, also referred to as calcium carbonate. This has led to the misconception that it is not important.

Role of SIC

SIC have to play 2 essential roles of storing carbon and supporting ecosystems depending on it.

A profound impact on soil health was witnessed due to disturbances to SIC since old times. This further affects soil’s ability to foster plant growth, regulate nutrient levels, stabilize organic carbon and neutralize acidity.

According to researchers, around 1.13 billion tons of inorganic carbon are lost every year into inland waters. This affects largely but its implications for carbon transport between land, freshwater, atmosphere and oceans are often overlooked.

However, society has recognized the value of soil as a natural solution for fighting climate change, yet most focus was on SOC. But now it has been clear that SIC also deserves equal attention.

Have you heard about Dry Farmland’s Role in Sustainable Carbon Capture?

Highlights

  • It stresses the urgency of incorporating inorganic carbon into strategies for climate change mitigation.
  • SIC is an additional method of enhancing and maintaining carbon capture and sequestration.
  • The important role of SIC in climate mitigation goals and achieving sustainable soil management should be considered by international programs.

Chinese researchers reveals giant global soil carbon storage and aim to spread the understanding of soil carbon dynamics. They want to emphasize the concept of including both inorganic and organic carbons for the process. They hope this way they can develop more effective methods to maintain soil health along with fighting climate change and enhance ecosystems.

Source: Size, distribution, and vulnerability of the global soil inorganic carbon

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Elliot is a passionate environmentalist and blogger who has dedicated his life to spreading awareness about conservation, green energy, and renewable energy. With a background in environmental science, he has a deep understanding of the issues facing our planet and is committed to educating others on how they can make a difference.

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