%0 Journal Article
%T Fire-derived organic carbon in soil turns over on a centennial scale
%A N. Singh
%A S. Abiven
%A M. S. Torn
%A M. W. I. Schmidt
%J Biogeosciences (BG) & Discussions (BGD)
%D 2012
%I Copernicus Publications
%X Pyrogenic carbon (PyC), the residue of an incomplete combustion of biomass, is considered as a carbon (C) sink due to its assumed stability in soil. PyC turnover time estimated using two modelling approaches, based on data from 16 published studies (n = 54) on PyC degradation, ranged from a decadal to centennial time scale, varying with initial biomass type, pyrolysis temperature, and incubation or field study. The average turnover time using a one-pool approach was 88 y, and the best estimate using a two-pool approach was 3 y for a fast-cycling pool and 870 y for a slow-cycling pool. Based on this meta-analysis, PyC cannot be assumed to persist in soils for thousands of years, and its use as a strategy for offsetting carbon emissions requires prudence and further research.
%U http://www.biogeosciences.net/9/2847/2012/bg-9-2847-2012.html