Soil Uptake of Volatile Organic Compounds: Ubiquitous and Underestimated?. Issue 6 (1st June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rinnan, Riikka; Albers, Christian N.
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 125:Issue 6(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-06-01
• Subjects: Geobiology -- Periodicals; Biogeochemistry -- Periodicals; Biotic communities -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 577.14
• DOI: 10.1029/2020JG005773
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-8953

Abstract

Abstract: Volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from ecosystems to the atmosphere have been widely studied, and the importance of soil contributions to VOC fluxes has received increasing attention. We suggest that while soil VOC emissions may be important in some situations, soil uptake of VOCs by microbial degradation is likely an omnipresent process, as also recently suggested by Trowbridge et al. (2020, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JG005479 ). To be able to model net VOC fluxes, we need to be able to estimate both soil release and uptake processes and their drivers. Plain Language Summary: Plants are a well‐known source of short‐lived trace gases other than methane—so‐called volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—to the atmosphere. Much less is known about the role of soil. Here, we discuss the importance of soils and their microbial communities in the release and uptake of VOCs between ecosystems and the atmosphere, inspired by the findings of a recent study by Trowbridge et al. (2020, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JG005479 ). We highlight that microorganisms living in soil can degrade VOCs and speculate on the potential importance of soils as a sink of VOCs. Key Points: Soil uptake of VOCs by microbial degradation is likely an omnipresent process To be able to model net VOC emissions, we need to be able to estimate both soil release and uptake processes and their drivers