Fire-derived organic carbon in soil turns over on a centennial scale
Pyrogenic carbon (PyC), the residue of an incomplete combustion of biomass, is considered as a carbon (C) sink due to its assumed stability in soil. PyC turnover time estimated using two modelling approaches, based on data from 16 published studies (<I>n</I> = 54) on PyC...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Copernicus Publications
2012-08-01
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| Series: | Biogeosciences |
| Online Access: | http://www.biogeosciences.net/9/2847/2012/bg-9-2847-2012.pdf |
| Summary: | Pyrogenic carbon (PyC), the residue of an incomplete combustion of biomass, is considered as a carbon (C) sink due to its assumed stability in soil. PyC turnover time estimated using two modelling approaches, based on data from 16 published studies (<I>n</I> = 54) on PyC degradation, ranged from a decadal to centennial time scale, varying with initial biomass type, pyrolysis temperature, and incubation or field study. The average turnover time using a one-pool approach was 88 y, and the best estimate using a two-pool approach was 3 y for a fast-cycling pool and 870 y for a slow-cycling pool. Based on this meta-analysis, PyC cannot be assumed to persist in soils for thousands of years, and its use as a strategy for offsetting carbon emissions requires prudence and further research. |
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| ISSN: | 1726-4170 1726-4189 |