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Organo–organic and organo–mineral interfaces in soil at the nanometer scale

Author

Listed:
  • Angela R. Possinger

    (Cornell University
    Virginia Tech, Cheatham Hall)

  • Michael J. Zachman

    (Cornell University
    Oak Ridge National Laboratory)

  • Akio Enders

    (Cornell University
    Cornell University)

  • Barnaby D. A. Levin

    (Cornell University)

  • David A. Muller

    (Cornell University
    Cornell University)

  • Lena F. Kourkoutis

    (Cornell University
    Cornell University)

  • Johannes Lehmann

    (Cornell University
    Technical University of Munich
    Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability)

Abstract

The capacity of soil as a carbon (C) sink is mediated by interactions between organic matter and mineral phases. However, previously proposed layered accumulation of organic matter within aggregate organo–mineral microstructures has not yet been confirmed by direct visualization at the necessary nanometer-scale spatial resolution. Here, we identify disordered micrometer-size organic phases rather than previously reported ordered gradients in C functional groups. Using cryo-electron microscopy with electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), we show organo–organic interfaces in contrast to exclusively organo–mineral interfaces. Single-digit nanometer-size layers of C forms were detected at the organo–organic interface, showing alkyl C and nitrogen (N) enrichment (by 4 and 7%, respectively). At the organo–mineral interface, 88% (72–92%) and 33% (16–53%) enrichment of N and oxidized C, respectively, indicate different stabilization processes than at organo–organic interfaces. However, N enrichment at both interface types points towards the importance of N-rich residues for greater C sequestration.

Suggested Citation

  • Angela R. Possinger & Michael J. Zachman & Akio Enders & Barnaby D. A. Levin & David A. Muller & Lena F. Kourkoutis & Johannes Lehmann, 2020. "Organo–organic and organo–mineral interfaces in soil at the nanometer scale," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-19792-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19792-9
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    Cited by:

    1. Angelo F. Bernardino & Ana Carolina A. Mazzuco & Rodolfo F. Costa & Fernanda Souza & Margaret A. Owuor & Gabriel N. Nobrega & Christian J. Sanders & Tiago O. Ferreira & J. Boone Kauffman, 2024. "The inclusion of Amazon mangroves in Brazil’s REDD+ program," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Zhe (Han) Weng & Lukas Zwieten & Ehsan Tavakkoli & Michael T. Rose & Bhupinder Pal Singh & Stephen Joseph & Lynne M. Macdonald & Stephen Kimber & Stephen Morris & Terry J. Rose & Braulio S. Archanjo &, 2022. "Microspectroscopic visualization of how biochar lifts the soil organic carbon ceiling," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.

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