Trillions of tonnes of carbon locked in soil has been left out of environmental models

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Conversation or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Recent research reveals the substantial amounts of inorganic carbon held in the top two meters of soil globally, totaling about 2.3 trillion tonnes—five times more than in all terrestrial vegetation 
• This carbon is now recognized as a significant part of the carbon cycle due to its potential release due to environmental changes

🔭 The context: Inorganic soil carbon, primarily as solid carbonates, accumulates over time from rock weathering and reactions with atmospheric CO2 
• It is prevalent in arid environments like Australia, which holds 7% of the global total, making it the fifth-largest pool worldwide

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The mobilization of soil inorganic carbon through human-induced environmental changes such as soil acidification and agriculture practices could severely impact ecosystems 
• This carbon pool plays a crucial role in soil health, supporting acidity neutralization, nutrient regulation, and organic carbon stabilization

⏭️ What's next: Recognizing the importance of both inorganic and organic carbon in soil is vital for future climate strategies 
• Improved agricultural practices and international soil carbon programs need to consider inorganic carbon to enhance soil management and meet climate targets effectively

📈 One stat: 2.3 trillion tonnes of inorganic carbon are stored in the top two meters of global soil, significantly impacting the Earth's carbon cycle

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