Soils represent the largest terrestrial carbon reservoir, yet major uncertainties persist regarding soil organic carbon (SOC) turnover times and sequestration potential. Radiocarbon-based approaches have often suggested very old SOC ages, implying limited soil carbon accumulation under future climate scenarios. However, these estimates are biased by the presence of ancient radiocarbon-free organic carbon (aOC), which does not participate in contemporary carbon cycling but artificially increases apparent SOC ages.
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