Articles tagged with Soil Carbon
A new UCLA-led report concludes that reducing greenhouse gas emissions is the primary way to combat global warming. The study finds that technology already available can reduce carbon emissions by up to 7 gigatons per year, but political support for emission reduction is lacking.
Deeply buried fossil soils in the Great Plains have been found to be rich in carbon, potentially grossly underestimating carbon storage capacity. The study's findings suggest that these ancient soils could contribute significantly to global climate change as they are disturbed.
Research found that elevated CO2 levels accelerate plant growth, leading to more CO2 absorption through photosynthesis. This new understanding suggests that natural processes may not slow global warming as previously thought.
A new study reveals unprecedented detail of the Amazon Basin's trees, enabling researchers to accurately assess their carbon content. The findings will help administer carbon offsetting more effectively, improving our understanding of global forest carbon storage.
A study published in Nature Climate Change found that using corn crop residue to make ethanol and other biofuels reduces soil carbon but generates more greenhouse gases than gasoline, casting doubt on its climate benefits. Researchers suggest planting cover crops or alternative feedstocks to mitigate emissions.
A team of researchers found that some studies have shown no-till systems without cover crops may not increase soil organic carbon stocks as claimed. The review suggests that different definitions and methods can lead to conflicting findings, and the accuracy of determining soil organic carbon sequestration depends on the method used.
A Stanford-led team has generated a genetic map of more than 10,000 species of fungi across North America, showcasing their vital role in ecological systems and carbon cycling. The research highlights the diversity and distribution of fungal species, with unique fingerprints in each bioregion.
A new study found that forests growing in fertile soils with ample nutrients can sequester up to 30% of the carbon they take up during photosynthesis. In contrast, nutrient-poor forests retain only 6% of that carbon, which is released back into the atmosphere as respiration.
Researchers found that arid ecosystems, which cover nearly half the earth's land surface, can take up a significant amount of carbon as CO2 levels rise. The study suggests that these ecosystems could account for 15-28% of current carbon absorption, potentially offsetting 4-8% of current emissions by 2050.
Researchers found that deforestation has minimal effects on muddy clay-like soils, but dramatically alters microbial communities in sandy soils, leading to increased carbon loss and potential for exaggerating global warming. This discovery could inform land management practices prioritizing the conservation of biodiversity and sequestr...
Researchers have developed a simple yet elegant solution to analyze large amounts of soil DNA data, reducing computational requirements by up to 200-fold. This breakthrough enables scientists to extract more science from the noise, paving the way for new discoveries in fields like agriculture and carbon cycling.
Scientists found that warming soil by 2 degrees Celsius alters microbial DNA to enhance carbon handling. The study reveals complex interactions between plants and microbes, impacting climate change predictions.
Symbiotic fungi in plant roots store and release carbon, with certain types leading to 70% more carbon storage. This discovery challenges current understanding of soil carbon pools and their impact on climate predictions.
Researchers at TUM discovered that carbon binds to small mineral particles with rough surfaces, leading to preferential spots for sequestration. The study used a mass spectrometer to visualize and compare soil structures, revealing areas with high carbon content.
Research by Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute scientist Benjamin Turner and colleagues reveals that fungi are a key driver of soil carbon storage. Fungi can lead to 70% more carbon in the soil by accessing organic forms of nitrogen, limiting the activity of microorganisms that break down dead organic matter.
Researchers found that while vegetation growth in the Arctic boosts carbon release, it's not enough to offset the losses from thawing permafrost. The study simulated warming of Arctic permafrost and measured carbon release from the soil and microbes.
Researchers have found a new, low-cost technology to reduce mercury contamination in soils and sediments, using activated carbon. The technology reduces methylmercury uptake by up to 90% without physical disturbance.
Despite its severity, the 2007 Anaktuvuk River fire in Alaska's North Slope surprisingly allowed vegetation to recover and potentially return to pre-fire conditions. Researchers found that post-fire plant succession resulted in a mixture of shrubs and sedges similar to those before the fire.
Research by scientists at The University of Manchester and Lancaster shows maintaining healthy soil biodiversity can play a key role in optimising land management programmes. The study found consistent links between soil organisms and ecosystem functioning on a large scale, across European countries.
A new study from Northern Arizona University found that ecosystems have a limited capacity to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide, and soil microorganisms play a crucial role in determining carbon storage. The study suggests that widely accepted carbon cycle models overestimate the impact of ecosystems on absorbing carbon.
A new study reveals that Australian soils are losing significant amounts of carbon to wind erosion, with an estimated 1.6 million tonnes lost annually. This loss affects not only agricultural productivity but also the country's carbon accounts and climate change projections.
A new computer model developed by a UCI-led team accurately accounts for bacteria and fungi's impact on soil carbon, leading to more reliable forecasts. The model suggests two novel scenarios: soil accumulating or releasing carbon due to microbial growth changes with temperature.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen reveals that permafrost thawing can lead to a substantial release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The findings, based on 12-year measurements, show that water content in the soil is crucial for predicting the effect of permafrost thawing.
Researchers found that two 15-year-old constructed marshes in Ohio accumulated soil carbon at an average annual rate of 2150 pounds per acre, surpassing natural wetlands and other agricultural lands. This suggests that restored and man-made wetlands should be considered for long-term carbon storage.
A Dartmouth-led study finds that logging can release large amounts of carbon stored in deep forest soils, potentially offsetting the benefits of using wood for energy. The research suggests that increased reliance on forest biomass may actually increase atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
A new study found that human activities are increasing the movement of carbon from land to rivers, estuaries, and coastal regions, with a significant fraction stored in aquatic systems. This discovery affects current estimates of carbon storage on land, highlighting the need for accurate assessments of the 'land-ocean aquatic continuum'.
A recent study published in Nature found that the Arctic tundra's carbon storage has remained relatively stable despite two decades of slow and steady warming. The researchers attributed this unexpected resilience to increased plant growth and changing soil conditions, which facilitated stabilizing feedbacks to offset soil carbon loss.
A recent study found that fertilizers with inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus increase soil organic carbon stocks, but do not enhance soil aggregate stability. Researchers tested continuous corn plots under conventional tillage and high water inputs for 50 years, revealing a mixed picture of fertilizer benefits.
A study by Elizabethtown College researchers found that residential lawns in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, release more carbon dioxide than corn fields, primarily due to soil temperature. Temperature variations within developed areas contribute to smaller-scale urban heat islands.
Research finds that a significant proportion of black carbon in soil dissolves into rivers and flows to the ocean, undermining efforts to use soil as a carbon sink. The study estimated that 27 million tons of black carbon flow from rivers to oceans annually.
Research by UC assistant professor Amy Townsend-Small found that intensive lawn care can negate soil's natural ability to store atmospheric toxins, despite improving its carbon-quelling capacity. The study compared urban lawns in Los Angeles and Cincinnati, revealing stark differences in their ecological impact.
New research found that planting trees on non-forested lands significantly increases soil carbon levels. This effect is most pronounced after surface mining and industrial processes have been terminated, leading to doubling of soil carbon within two decades.
A Kansas State University research team found that global nitrogen availability has remained steady for the past 500 years, despite increased industrial production. The study suggests a link between nitrogen and carbon levels, with implications for future ecosystem changes.
A recent study found that Arctic permafrost's ancient carbon is released into the atmosphere at a rate 40% faster than previously thought when exposed to sunlight. Sunlight increases bacterial conversion of carbon into carbon dioxide, which accelerates climate warming.
A new protocol has been developed to measure soil organic carbon sequestration more accurately. The protocol considers the impact of tillage practices on soil organic carbon storage and loss over time.
A new study finds that warmer temperatures can cause soils to release more carbon dioxide, exacerbating climate change. However, this effect diminishes over the long term as soil microorganisms adapt and become more efficient.
Researchers found that 40% of microbial biomass is converted to organic soil components, contradicting the long-held view that plant material is the primary source. The study discovered that bacterial cell wall fragments contribute significantly to soil fertility and carbon storage.
Soil respiration in China varies significantly across regions, with the highest rates found in southeastern China and lowest in northwestern China. Precipitation and temperature also play a crucial role in controlling soil respiration, with increasing variability expected under warming scenarios.
Scientists warn that plants and soils could react to warming by releasing additional carbon dioxide, increasing greenhouse gas concentrations. The study found vast potential range in future terrestrial carbon storage, posing challenges for climate change risk management.
Agricultural Research Service study found that adding beef manure compost to soil at post-mining sites increased pH, plant-available nutrients, and microbial activity. The compost also lowered lead and zinc availability by 90%, promoting vegetative cover and reducing runoff.
Scientists will investigate connections between soil microorganisms and the carbon cycle, with potential implications for global warming. The project aims to understand how changes in soil carbon levels trigger chain reactions that convert stable carbon into atmospheric CO2.
A University of Minnesota study found that plants' ability to absorb CO2 may be restricted by nitrogen availability in typical soils. The research, published in Nature Climate Change, used a 13-year experiment at the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve and suggested that limited fertility can reduce carbon sequestration capacity.
New research reveals Mercury's surface composition is dominated by minerals high in magnesium and sulfur, differing from other planets. In contrast, African dust forms red soils in Bermuda through a complex interplay of local and global climate processes. The origin of these unique features remains a topic of ongoing scientific study.
Scientists study Mercury's surface chemistry and geological history, finding distinctive mineral patterns dominated by magnesium and sulfur. Meanwhile, researchers in Bermuda investigate the origin of red soils, discovering that African dust may be a key factor in their formation.
Underground organisms like arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi play a dual role in soil carbon sequestration, both storing and releasing carbon as atmospheric carbon levels rise. The study challenges assumptions about their protective effects on organic carbon.
Fungi found in plants stimulate decomposition rates of organic materials when exposed to higher carbon dioxide levels, limiting soil's ability to store extra carbon. This can lead to higher greenhouse gas emissions and reduced capacity to mitigate climate change.
Researchers at ORNL have developed a new carbon cycling model that accounts for microbes' role in releasing CO2 from the ground, improving scientists' understanding of future climate change. The MEND model simulates carbon cycle processes and estimates parameters based on comprehensive literature review.
Scientists at University College Dublin discovered a thriving population of Mediterranean earthworms in an urban farm in Dublin, Ireland. The species, Prosellodrilus amplisetosus, has expanded its geographical habitat range due to rising soil temperatures caused by climate change.
Forest soils lose more carbon under elevated CO2 levels, contrary to previous assumptions. The IU-led research reveals that microorganisms play a key role in this process.
New research suggests that Arctic forest growth could lead to increased carbon dioxide emissions, contrary to previous predictions. This is due to the stimulation of soil decomposition by trees, releasing previously stored carbon into the atmosphere.
Researchers have found that when the Iroko tree is grown in dry, acidic soil and treated with natural fungus and bacteria, it produces mineral limestone that stores carbon. This technique has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions in tropical countries and improve farming conditions.
A study found that when grasshoppers change their diet to high-energy carbohydrates under stress from spiders, it affects the decomposition of organic matter in soil. This leads to a slower breakdown of uneaten plants, resulting in lower quality fertilizer and reduced microbial activity.
A new study by UCI researchers found that heating soil in Wisconsin and North Carolina woodlands can increase carbon dioxide release into the atmosphere up to eight times. The study suggests that soils could accelerate global warming through a vicious cycle, where man-made warming releases carbon from soils to the atmosphere.
Scientists link ancient global warming events to thawing permafrost, revealing a significant source of carbon in Polar Regions. This discovery highlights the vulnerability of frozen soils to climate warming and the potential for a positive feedback loop amplifying future warming.
Researchers propose that thawing permafrost 50 million years ago released massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, triggering global warming events. The study suggests a simple new mechanism for past global warming events and highlights the potential for similar feedback loops in modern times.
Researchers have found evidence that smaller hyperthermal events, which occurred more than 50 million years ago, had a similar origin to the larger Pelaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM). The study confirms that these events were atmospheric and global, rather than just oceanic processes.
A 12-year experiment found increased soil carbon storage under elevated carbon dioxide concentrations, with deeper soil showing even greater gains. The study suggests that processes such as root dynamics and microbial decomposition contribute to this effect.
A new study suggests that temperate freshwater wetlands are more valuable as carbon sinks than currently thought, with an average carbon storage rate of almost twice that of flow-through wetlands. The stagnant wetland stored 317 grams of carbon per square meter per year, exceeding previous measurements in other types of wetlands.
Adding biochar to glacial soils reduces carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions. Ethylene production is also stimulated by biochar, potentially influencing plant growth.
Permafrost thaw could release approximately the same amount of carbon as deforestation, but with a greater impact due to methane emissions. The study estimates that by 2100, carbon released from permafrost will be 1.7-5.2 times larger than previous models.