Pyrogenic Carbon Contributes Substantially to Carbon Storage in Intact and Degraded Northern Peatlands

Summary

This study quantifies the previously underestimated contribution of pyrogenic carbon to carbon storage in northern peatlands. By analysing 70 soil samples from 19 European sites, the authors found that PyC comprises an average of 13.5% of total soil carbon and represents approximately 62 Pg of the global PyC stock. The work demonstrates that selective enrichment of PyC during both peat accumulation and decomposition processes is a significant mechanism for long-term carbon sequestration, with degraded peatlands paradoxically showing higher PyC concentrations despite substantial overall carbon loss.

UK applicability

The findings are directly applicable to UK peatland management, as northern European peatlands extend into the United Kingdom. Understanding PyC's contribution to carbon storage may inform UK peatland restoration and carbon accounting strategies, particularly for climate change mitigation and degraded peatland recovery programmes.

Key measures

Pyrogenic carbon content (% of total soil carbon); peat age and accumulation rates (radiocarbon dating); long-term carbon accumulation rates; PyC stock estimates (Pg); carbon loss in degraded peatlands (kg C m−2)

Outcomes reported

The study quantified pyrogenic carbon (PyC) content across 70 samples from 19 European peatland sites using 13C NMR spectroscopy and radiocarbon dating. Findings showed PyC accounts for an average of 13.5% of soil carbon across sites, with an estimated northern hemisphere peatland PyC stock of 62 (±22) Pg.

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