Nitrogen cycling drives a strong within-soil CO₂-sink

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In this Subject: Geology ,&nbsp; <a title="Meteorology & Climatology" href="/content/subcat?j_subject=178&j_availability=">Meteorology & Climatology
By this author: FLEISCHER, SIEGFRIED ;&nbsp; BOUSE, IVO

Authors: FLEISCHER, SIEGFRIED; BOUSE, IVO

Source: Tellus B, Volume 60, Number 5, November 2008 , pp. 782-786(5)

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Abstract:

For about three decades, it has not been possible to completely balance global carbon emissions into known pools. A residual (or `missing') sink remains. Here evidence is presented that part of soil respiration is allocated into an internal soil CO₂-sink localized to the saprophytic subsystem (roots excluded). The process occurs in forest, agricultural and grassland soils and is favoured by high N-deposition. Chemoautotrophic nitrification has a key role, and the most efficient internal CO₂-sequestration occurs concurrently with lowest soil nitrate (NO₃⁻) concentrations, despite considerable N-loading. Not until drastic N-supply occurs, does the CO₂-sink successively breakdown, and nitrate concentrations increase, leading to NO₃⁻-leaching. Within-soil CO₂-uptake seems to be of the same magnitude as the missing carbon sink. It may be gradually enforced by the ongoing input of nitrogen to the biosphere.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0889.2008.00374.x

Publication date: 2008-11-01