One of the largest sinks of organic carbon on the global scale is the organic matter stored in soils, it contains about 1500 Gt C in the top one meter. Changes in the size and the turnover rate of the soil carbon pools could possibly have an effect on the atmospheric CO2 concentration and the global climate. Stabilization of soil organic C (SOC) is pre-requisite for long-term C sequestration to mitigate climate change. Stabilization of SOC means the decrease in the potential loss of organic C by microbial respiration, erosion or leaching. Sorption to mineral surfaces is considered to be the most effective mechanism that protects SOC against microbial degradation. The stabilization of SOC is not only influenced by the amount (., soil texture) of but also the type of clays present. |
