Stabilization of organic matter in soils: drivers, mechanisms, and analytical tools – a literature review

ABSTRACT Soils are the largest terrestrial carbon (C) reservoir, and most of this C is retained as soil organic matter (SOM). Due to its ability to capture, stabilize, and store C for extended periods, soils are considered important allies in decarbonizing the atmosphere. The term ‘C stabilization’ includes a series of mechanisms or processes by which soil C is protected within soils and its losses are reduced through microbial decomposition or leaching. Due to their relevance in the global C cycle, C stabilization mechanisms have received intensive attention from the scientific community. As new analytic technologies push the boundaries of what was previously possible to know, new paradigms emerge. This literature review summarizes the current knowledge of the main mechanisms that may promote SOM stabilization. Factors that govern accumulation of SOM are also addressed. We highlight the role of organo-mineral associations and spatial inaccessibility of SOM due to occlusion within soil aggregates to understand the relative contribution of these mechanisms in different soil conditions (e.g., soil texture, mineralogy, and land- use). In addition, the contribution of cutting-edge approaches and analytical techniques to advance the understanding of SOM protection is presented. Modern techniques to evaluate SOM on a micro, nano, and molecular scale can contribute to the mechanistic understanding of SOM stabilization and the study and adoption of management strategies that maintain and increase C stocks in soils.