PNNL

Abstract

Black carbon (BC) may play an important role in the global C budget, due to its potential to act as a significant removal (sink) of atmospheric CO2. In order to fully evaluate the influence of BC on the global C cycle, a sound understanding of the stability of BC is required. The biochemical stability of BC was assessed in a chronosequence of high-BC containing Anthrosols from the central Amazon, Brazil, using a range of spectroscopic and biological methods. Results revealed that the Anthrosols had 61-80% lower (P0.05) differences of CO2 respiration were observed between Anthrosols with contrasting ages of BC and soil textures. Molecular forms of core regions of micrometer-sized BC particles quantified by synchrotron-based near-edge x-ray fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy coupled to scanning x-ray transmission microscopy (STXM) remained similar regardless of their ages (600 to 8,700 years) and closely resembled the spectral characteristics of fresh BC. Deconvolution of NEXAFS spectra revealed greater oxidation on the surfaces of BC particles with little penetration into the core of the particles. The similar C mineralization between different BC-rich soils regardless of soil texture underpins the importance of chemical recalcitrance for the stability of BC, in contrast to adjacent soils which showed the highest mineralization in the sandiest soil. However, C distribution between free, intra-aggregate and organo-mineral pools was significantly different between soils with high and low BC contents, suggesting some degree of physical stabilization, and BC-rich Anthrosols had higher proportions (72-90%) of C in the organo-mineral fraction than BC-poor adjacent soils (2-70%).