Soil Science and Carbon Sequestration

  1. Soil Carbon Dynamics
    1. Introduction to Soil Organic Carbon (SOC)
      1. Definition and Importance
        1. Chemical Composition
          1. Ecological Significance
          2. Relationship to Soil Organic Matter (SOM)
            1. Carbon Content of SOM
              1. Conversion Factors
              2. Role in Soil Fertility and Structure
                1. Nutrient Supply
                  1. Aggregate Formation
                    1. Water Retention
                  2. Forms and Pools of Soil Organic Carbon
                    1. Labile (Active) Carbon Pool
                      1. Particulate Organic Matter (POM)
                        1. Characteristics and Turnover
                          1. Size Fractions
                            1. Decomposition Rates
                              1. Seasonal Dynamics
                            2. Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC)
                              1. Mobility and Leaching
                                1. Transport Mechanisms
                                  1. Loss Pathways
                                    1. Environmental Factors
                                2. Stable (Recalcitrant) Carbon Pool
                                  1. Humus
                                    1. Formation and Stability
                                      1. Humification Process
                                        1. Chemical Structure
                                          1. Residence Time
                                        2. Mineral-Associated Organic Matter (MAOM)
                                          1. Mechanisms of Stabilization
                                            1. Adsorption Processes
                                              1. Organomineral Complexes
                                                1. Physical Protection
                                              2. Pyrogenic Carbon
                                                1. Biochar
                                                  1. Formation Processes
                                                    1. Stability Characteristics
                                                    2. Black Carbon
                                                      1. Sources and Distribution
                                                        1. Environmental Persistence
                                                  2. Processes of Carbon Input to Soil
                                                    1. Litterfall and Root Deposition
                                                      1. Aboveground Inputs
                                                        1. Leaf Litter
                                                          1. Woody Debris
                                                            1. Reproductive Structures
                                                            2. Belowground Inputs
                                                              1. Fine Root Turnover
                                                                1. Coarse Root Mortality
                                                                  1. Root Hair Sloughing
                                                                2. Root Exudates
                                                                  1. Types of Exudates
                                                                    1. Sugars and Organic Acids
                                                                      1. Amino Acids
                                                                        1. Secondary Metabolites
                                                                        2. Effects on Microbial Activity
                                                                          1. Priming Effects
                                                                            1. Rhizosphere Processes
                                                                          2. Microbial Biomass Turnover
                                                                            1. Microbial Growth and Death
                                                                              1. Life Cycles
                                                                                1. Environmental Stress
                                                                                2. Contribution to SOM
                                                                                  1. Necromass Formation
                                                                                    1. Metabolite Release
                                                                                3. Processes of Carbon Stabilization
                                                                                  1. Physical Protection within Aggregates
                                                                                    1. Aggregate Formation
                                                                                      1. Binding Agents
                                                                                        1. Hierarchical Structure
                                                                                        2. Protection from Decomposition
                                                                                          1. Reduced Oxygen Access
                                                                                            1. Physical Barriers
                                                                                          2. Chemical Protection through Mineral Association
                                                                                            1. Adsorption to Clay and Silt
                                                                                              1. Surface Interactions
                                                                                                1. Electrostatic Binding
                                                                                                2. Organomineral Complexes
                                                                                                  1. Metal Bridging
                                                                                                    1. Ligand Exchange
                                                                                                  2. Biochemical Recalcitrance
                                                                                                    1. Resistant Organic Compounds
                                                                                                      1. Molecular Structure
                                                                                                        1. Chemical Bonds
                                                                                                        2. Lignin and Polyphenols
                                                                                                          1. Decomposition Resistance
                                                                                                            1. Inhibitory Effects
                                                                                                        3. Processes of Carbon Loss from Soil
                                                                                                          1. Microbial Respiration (Decomposition)
                                                                                                            1. Aerobic Decomposition
                                                                                                              1. Oxygen Requirements
                                                                                                                1. Metabolic Pathways
                                                                                                                2. Anaerobic Decomposition
                                                                                                                  1. Fermentation Processes
                                                                                                                    1. Methanogenesis
                                                                                                                  2. Erosion
                                                                                                                    1. Wind Erosion
                                                                                                                      1. Particle Transport
                                                                                                                        1. Organic Matter Loss
                                                                                                                        2. Water Erosion
                                                                                                                          1. Surface Runoff
                                                                                                                            1. Sediment Transport
                                                                                                                          2. Leaching of Dissolved Organic Carbon
                                                                                                                            1. Pathways of Loss
                                                                                                                              1. Vertical Movement
                                                                                                                                1. Lateral Flow
                                                                                                                                2. Environmental Impacts
                                                                                                                                  1. Groundwater Quality
                                                                                                                                    1. Stream Chemistry
                                                                                                                                3. Factors Influencing Soil Carbon Storage
                                                                                                                                  1. Climate
                                                                                                                                    1. Temperature Effects
                                                                                                                                      1. Decomposition Rates
                                                                                                                                        1. Microbial Activity
                                                                                                                                          1. Enzyme Kinetics
                                                                                                                                          2. Precipitation Patterns
                                                                                                                                            1. Moisture Controls
                                                                                                                                              1. Leaching Losses
                                                                                                                                                1. Plant Productivity
                                                                                                                                              2. Soil Type
                                                                                                                                                1. Texture
                                                                                                                                                  1. Clay Content Effects
                                                                                                                                                    1. Aggregate Formation
                                                                                                                                                    2. Mineralogy
                                                                                                                                                      1. Clay Mineral Types
                                                                                                                                                        1. Iron and Aluminum Oxides
                                                                                                                                                      2. Vegetation and Plant Inputs
                                                                                                                                                        1. Plant Species Composition
                                                                                                                                                          1. Litter Quality
                                                                                                                                                            1. Root Architecture
                                                                                                                                                            2. Productivity and Litter Quality
                                                                                                                                                              1. Carbon-to-Nitrogen Ratios
                                                                                                                                                                1. Lignin Content
                                                                                                                                                              2. Land Use and Management
                                                                                                                                                                1. Tillage Practices
                                                                                                                                                                  1. Soil Disturbance
                                                                                                                                                                    1. Aggregate Disruption
                                                                                                                                                                    2. Cropping Systems
                                                                                                                                                                      1. Crop Rotation Effects
                                                                                                                                                                        1. Residue Management
                                                                                                                                                                        2. Grazing Intensity
                                                                                                                                                                          1. Trampling Effects
                                                                                                                                                                            1. Vegetation Changes

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                                                                                                                                                                      2. The Global Carbon Cycle

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                                                                                                                                                                      4. Enhancing Soil Carbon Sequestration