Silicon regulation of soil organic carbon stabilization and its potential to mitigate climate change

• Published in: Earth-science reviews Vol. 185; pp. 463 - 475
• Main Authors: Song, Zhaoliang, Liu, Congqiang, Müller, Karin, Yang, Xiaomin, Wu, Yuntao, Wang, Hailong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.10.2018
• Subjects: Biogeochemical silicon cycle; biomass; carbon sequestration; climate change; conservation buffers; minerals; Phytolith; Secondary mineral; silicon; soil; Soil organic carbon; Stabilization; Terrestrial ecosystem; terrestrial ecosystems; Terrestrial ecosystem; Phytolith; C; Stabilization; SOC; LASi; Al; TSi; Biogeochemical silicon cycle; Si; BSi; DSi; Soil organic carbon; MOA; Secondary mineral; Fe
• ISSN: 0012-8252; 1872-6828
• DOI: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2018.06.020

The terrestrial biogeochemical silicon (Si) cycle may significantly influence the stabilization of soil organic carbon (SOC), and thus plays an important role in regulating the global carbon (C) balance and climate change. Processes involved in Si-enhanced SOC stability at a decadal or centennial scale include protection of SOC through amorphous Si and interactions of Si-iron and Si-aluminum. Strategic manipulation of the Si cycle in terrestrial ecosystems offers a new opportunity to enhance soil C sequestration. Rock powder amendment, establishment of Si-rich plant buffer strips and innovative management practices that return Si-rich biomass materials to soil can be implemented as strategies to enhance soil C sequestration through regulating the terrestrial Si cycle. However, quantifying (i) the contribution of different processes to the enhancement of soil dissolved Si and secondary Si minerals, (ii) the relative importance of different SOC stabilization mechanisms, and (iii) the potential and cost of different measures has not been attempted.