From Fires to Oceans: Dynamics of Fire-Derived Organic Matter in Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems

231.5K

views

78

authors

19

articles

Editorial

27 February 2019

Editorial: From Fires to Oceans: Dynamics of Fire-Derived Organic Matter in Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems

Samuel Abiven

and

Cristina Santín

2,620 views

11 citations

Editors

2

University of Zurich

Cristina Santin

Swansea University

Impact

About

Fire-derived organic matter is ubiquitous on Earth. It can be found in soils, sediments, rivers and oceans. In this wide range of environments, fire-derived organic matter, also known as pyrogenic carbon (PyC), represents a key component of the organic matter pool, and, in many cases, the largest identifiable group of organic compounds. PyC is also one of the most persistent organic matter fractions in the ecosystems, and its study is, therefore, particularly relevant for the global carbon cycle. From its production during fires to its transfer into soils, sediments and waters, this PyC goes through different transformations, both abiotic and biotic. Contrary to early assumptions, PyC is not inert and interacts strongly with the environment: evidence of microbial decomposition, oxidation patterns and interactions with minerals have been described in different matrices. PyC travels across these different environments and it is modified chemically and physically, but remains persistent.

The aim of this Research Topic is to advance the dialogue between the different PyC disciplines and to integrate knowledge of research fields that traditionally have a low level of information exchange. We welcome PyC experts from different disciplines to discuss PyC persistence and movement processes from fire, soil, sediment and water perspectives and evaluate differences and communalities of these processes.

(Image credit: Prof. Stefan Doerr, Swansea University, UK)

Fire-derived organic matter is ubiquitous on Earth. It can be found in soils, sediments, rivers and oceans. In this wide range of environments, fire-derived organic matter, also known as pyrogenic carbon (PyC), represents a key component of the organic matter pool, and, in many cases, the largest identifiable group of organic compounds. PyC is also one of the most persistent organic matter fractions in the ecosystems, and its study is, therefore, particularly relevant for the global carbon cycle. From its production during fires to its transfer into soils, sediments and waters, this PyC goes through different transformations, both abiotic and biotic. Contrary to early assumptions, PyC is not inert and interacts strongly with the environment: evidence of microbial decomposition, oxidation patterns and interactions with minerals have been described in different matrices. PyC travels across these different environments and it is modified chemically and physically, but remains persistent.

The aim of this Research Topic is to advance the dialogue between the different PyC disciplines and to integrate knowledge of research fields that traditionally have a low level of information exchange. We welcome PyC experts from different disciplines to discuss PyC persistence and movement processes from fire, soil, sediment and water perspectives and evaluate differences and communalities of these processes.

(Image credit: Prof. Stefan Doerr, Swansea University, UK)

Download ebook

Share

Editors

University of Zurich

Cristina Santin

Swansea University

Impact

231,457 Total views

200,632 Article views

25,411 Article downloads

5,414 Topic views

Published In

Journal Thumbnail

Frontiers in Earth Science

Biogeoscience, Soil Processes

Journal Thumbnail

Frontiers in Environmental Science

About Frontiers Research Topics

With their unique mixes of varied contributions from Original Research to Review Articles, Research Topics unify the most influential researchers, the latest key findings and historical advances in a hot research area! Find out more on how to host your own Frontiers Research Topic or contribute to one as an author.

Suggest a topic