CO2 uptake by a soil microcosm

• Published in: Soil biology & biochemistry 2013-02, Vol.57, p.615-624
• Main Authors: Hart, Kris M., Oppenheimer, Seth F., Moran, Brian W., Allen, Christopher C.R., Kouloumbos, Vassilis, Simpson, Andre J., Kulakov, Leonid A., Barron, Leon, Kelleher, Brian P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 13CO2 enrichment; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biochemistry and biology; Biological and medical sciences; carbon dioxide; Carbon uptake; Chemical, physicochemical, biochemical and biological properties; fatty acids; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; in vivo studies; Lipids; Microbiology; Organic matter; Physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology of agricultural and forest soils; soil ecology; Soil microorganisms; Soil organic matter; Soil science; temperate soils
• ISSN: 0038-0717; 1879-3428
• DOI: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2012.10.036

Sequestration of CO2 via biological sinks is a matter of great scientific importance due to the potential lowering of atmospheric CO2. In this study, a custom built incubation chamber was used to cultivate a soil microbial community to instigate chemoautotrophy of a temperate soil. Real-time atmospheric CO2 concentrations were monitored and estimations of total CO2 uptake were made. After careful background flux corrections, 4.52 ± 0.05 g CO2 kg−1 dry soil was sequestered from the chamber atmosphere over 40 h. Using isotopically labelled 13CO2 and GCMS–IRMS, labelled fatty acids were identified after only a short incubation, hence confirming CO2 sequestration for soil. The results of this in vivo study provide the ground work for future studies intending to mimic the in situ environment by providing a reliable method for investigating CO2 uptake by soil microorganisms. ► 13CO2 was sequestered by a soil chemoautotrophic microcosm incubated with an electron donor. ► Labelled fatty acids were identified confirming CO2 sequestration in a soil slurry. ► After careful background flux corrections, 4.52 ± 0.05 g CO2 kg−1 dry soil was removed over 40 h. ► The results of this in vivo study provide the ground work for future in situ studies.