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Divergent changes in particulate and mineral-associated organic carbon upon permafrost thaw

Author

Listed:
  • Futing Liu

    (Chinese Academy of Forestry
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Shuqi Qin

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

  • Kai Fang

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

  • Leiyi Chen

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yunfeng Peng

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Pete Smith

    (University of Aberdeen)

  • Yuanhe Yang

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

Abstract

Permafrost thaw can stimulate microbial decomposition and induce soil carbon (C) loss, potentially triggering a positive C-climate feedback. However, earlier observations have concentrated on bulk soil C dynamics upon permafrost thaw, with limited evidence involving soil C fractions. Here, we explore how the functionally distinct fractions, including particulate and mineral-associated organic C (POC and MAOC) as well as iron-bound organic C (OC-Fe), respond to permafrost thaw using systematic measurements derived from one permafrost thaw sequence and five additional thermokarst-impacted sites on the Tibetan Plateau. We find that topsoil POC content substantially decreases, while MAOC content remains stable and OC-Fe accumulates due to the enriched Fe oxides after permafrost thaw. Moreover, the proportion of MAOC and OC-Fe increases along the thaw sequence and at most of the thermokarst-impacted sites. The relatively enriched stable soil C fractions would alleviate microbial decomposition and weaken its feedback to climate warming over long-term thermokarst development.

Suggested Citation

  • Futing Liu & Shuqi Qin & Kai Fang & Leiyi Chen & Yunfeng Peng & Pete Smith & Yuanhe Yang, 2022. "Divergent changes in particulate and mineral-associated organic carbon upon permafrost thaw," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-32681-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32681-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Leiyi Chen & Li Liu & Chao Mao & Shuqi Qin & Jun Wang & Futing Liu & Sergey Blagodatsky & Guibiao Yang & Qiwen Zhang & Dianye Zhang & Jianchun Yu & Yuanhe Yang, 2018. "Nitrogen availability regulates topsoil carbon dynamics after permafrost thaw by altering microbial metabolic efficiency," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-11, December.
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    4. Merritt R. Turetsky & Benjamin W. Abbott & Miriam C. Jones & Katey Walter Anthony & David Olefeldt & Edward A. G. Schuur & Charles Koven & A. David McGuire & Guido Grosse & Peter Kuhry & Gustaf Hugeli, 2019. "Permafrost collapse is accelerating carbon release," Nature, Nature, vol. 569(7754), pages 32-34, May.
    5. Wenjuan Huang & Steven J. Hall, 2017. "Elevated moisture stimulates carbon loss from mineral soils by releasing protected organic matter," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-10, December.
    6. Chunmei Chen & Steven J. Hall & Elizabeth Coward & Aaron Thompson, 2020. "Iron-mediated organic matter decomposition in humid soils can counteract protection," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-13, December.
    7. Leiyi Chen & Junyi Liang & Shuqi Qin & Li Liu & Kai Fang & Yunping Xu & Jinzhi Ding & Fei Li & Yiqi Luo & Yuanhe Yang, 2016. "Determinants of carbon release from the active layer and permafrost deposits on the Tibetan Plateau," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-12, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhenghu Zhou & Chengjie Ren & Chuankuan Wang & Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo & Yiqi Luo & Zhongkui Luo & Zhenggang Du & Biao Zhu & Yuanhe Yang & Shuo Jiao & Fazhu Zhao & Andong Cai & Gaihe Yang & Gehong We, 2024. "Global turnover of soil mineral-associated and particulate organic carbon," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Shuqi Qin & Dianye Zhang & Bin Wei & Yuanhe Yang, 2024. "Dual roles of microbes in mediating soil carbon dynamics in response to warming," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.

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