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Geopolymerization threatens the persistence of organic carbon associated with iron in anoxic environments

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  • Cheng Zhao

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yingxun Du

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Hongwei Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Wenjie Zhou

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Southeast University)

  • Fan Xun

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Shun Liu

    (Lanzhou University)

  • Biao Li

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xiancai Lu

    (Nanjing University)

  • Qinglong L. Wu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou))

  • Ke-Qing Xiao

    (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Peng Xing

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

The sequestration of organic carbon (OC) through mineral association in soils and sediments is a crucial process that regulates carbon sink dynamics and the global carbon cycle. However, minerals can participate in both abiotic and biotic OC transformations, altering the persistence of mineral-associated OC under anoxic conditions. In this work, we report that synergistic interactions among metal (oxyhydr)oxides, such as iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and aluminum (Al) drive the polymerization of simple organic molecules into macromolecular geopolymers, increasing their electron transfer capacity by 52–115%. These geopolymers function as electron shuttles, enhancing OC decomposition through microbial dissimilatory iron reduction. This reduces the mean retention time (MRT) of OC bound to active and inert Fe minerals by 51.4 ± 15.6% and 74.1 ± 13.7%, respectively. Future carbon turnover models should explicitly account for the mineral composition, redox fluctuations, and microbial metabolic pathways to advance the understanding of the Earth’s carbon sink.

Suggested Citation

  • Cheng Zhao & Yingxun Du & Hongwei Wang & Wenjie Zhou & Fan Xun & Shun Liu & Biao Li & Xiancai Lu & Qinglong L. Wu & Ke-Qing Xiao & Peng Xing, 2025. "Geopolymerization threatens the persistence of organic carbon associated with iron in anoxic environments," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-62016-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62016-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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