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Condensation And Polymerization Explain The Humification Of Lignin Into Aliphatic And Aromatic Structures In Soil, Patrick G. Hatcher, Hongmei Chen, Seyyedhadi Khatami, Derek C. Waggoner

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Soil organic matter (SOM) constitutes a global reservoir of carbon that is more than twice that of either atmospheric carbon or aquatic carbon; however, the manner in which it forms from degraded plant biomass is poorly understood. Some have recently questioned whether plant biomass is involved directly in SOM formation and suggest that it is microbial carbon that constitutes the main source of stable SOM. Such a view implies that above and below ground plant biomass is rapidly decomposed and mineralized. This view contrasts significantly with traditional ones that involve the transformation of plant biomass to recalcitrant humic materials fueled …