Carbon Chain Elongation in soil carbon sequestration

Our study reveals a previously overlooked anaerobic metabolic pathway, carbon chain elongation (CCE), that significantly enhances soil carbon sequestration in the unique ecosystems of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). By investigating the functional mechanisms of CCE in QTP forest and wetland soils, our work represents the first in - depth characterization of soil CCE - associated microbes and functional genes in QPT ecosystems, uncovering their potential to enhance carbon sequestration. This discovery challenges conventional views of soil carbon sequestration and opens new avenues for developing strategies to enhance soil carbon storage. Our findings have far-reaching implications for understanding and managing global carbon cycles, particularly in the context of climate change mitigation.