Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2021-73
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2021-73
30 Sep 2021
 | 30 Sep 2021
Status: this discussion paper is a preprint. It has been under review for the journal SOIL (SOIL). The manuscript was not accepted for further review after discussion.

Additional soil organic carbon storage potential in global croplands

José Padarian, Budiman Minasny, Alex B. McBratney, and Pete Smith

Abstract. Soil organic carbon sequestration (SOCseq) is considered the most attractive carbon capture technology to partially mitigate climate change. However, there is conflicting evidence regarding the potential of SOCseq. The additional storage potential on existing global cropland is missing. SOCseq is region-specific and conditioned by management but most global estimates use fixed accumulation rates or time frames. Here, we show how the SOC storage potential and its steady state varies globally depending on climate, land use and soil. Using 83,416 soil observations, we developed a quantile regression neural network that quantifies the SOC variation within soils with similar characteristics. This allows us to identify similar areas that present higher SOC with the difference representing an additional storage potential. The estimated additional SOC storage potential of 29 to 67 Pg C in the topsoil of global croplands equates to only 2 to 5 years of emissions offsetting and 32 % of agriculture's 92 Pg historical carbon debt estimate due to conversion from natural ecosystems. Since SOC is temperature-dependent, this potential is likely to reduce by 18 % by 2040 due to climate change.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
José Padarian, Budiman Minasny, Alex B. McBratney, and Pete Smith

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on soil-2021-73', Philippe C. Baveye, 02 Nov 2021
  • RC2: 'Comment on soil-2021-73', Anonymous Referee #2, 05 Nov 2021
  • RC3: 'Comment on soil-2021-73', Anonymous Referee #3, 08 Nov 2021

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on soil-2021-73', Philippe C. Baveye, 02 Nov 2021
  • RC2: 'Comment on soil-2021-73', Anonymous Referee #2, 05 Nov 2021
  • RC3: 'Comment on soil-2021-73', Anonymous Referee #3, 08 Nov 2021
José Padarian, Budiman Minasny, Alex B. McBratney, and Pete Smith
José Padarian, Budiman Minasny, Alex B. McBratney, and Pete Smith

Viewed

Total article views: 2,455 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
1,816 582 57 2,455 37 31
  • HTML: 1,816
  • PDF: 582
  • XML: 57
  • Total: 2,455
  • BibTeX: 37
  • EndNote: 31
Views and downloads (calculated since 30 Sep 2021)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 30 Sep 2021)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 2,305 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 2,305 with geography defined and 0 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 

Cited

Latest update: 05 Oct 2024
Download
Short summary
Soil organic carbon sequestration is considered an attractive technology to partially mitigate climate change. Here, we show how the SOC storage potential varies globally. The estimated additional SOC storage potential in the topsoil of global croplands (29–67 Pg C) equates to only 2 to 5 years of emissions offsetting and 32 % of agriculture's 92 Pg historical carbon debt. Since SOC is temperature-dependent, this potential is likely to reduce by 18 % by 2040 due to climate change.