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Carbon Sequestration Potential in Urban Soils

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Abstract

Urbanization is a world- wide phenomenon with expansion of urban areas often resulting in the loss of prime farmland and undeveloped land. In the U.S. developed land increased by 50% in the last 25 years. Urbanization can result in the loss of soil carbon (C) as a result of the expansion of impermeable surfaces, degradation of soils during construction, and lack of management. Impermeable surfaces can cover 80% of the soil surface in high- density urban areas, with this value decreasing to 30% when the greater populated area is considered. However, several factors suggest that there is a potential to increase C storage in urban areas. Research has shown that intensive management of urban soils can result in higher C reserves than similar soils in rural areas. Recently the importance of green-space in urban areas for storm water management, as a means to counter the heat island effect, and for restoration of limited ecological function has been recognized. Urban areas also generate large quantities of organic residuals that can be used as soil amendments. Over half of yard wastes generated are currently land applied, with approximately 50% of municipal biosolids and 98% of food waste landfilled or incinerated. Land application these amendments will accelerate C storage and can also replace synthetic fertilizers. Long- term studies in Tacoma, Washington found that 19–81% of amendment added C persisted in soils 3–18 years after amendment addition. Based on a conservative estimate using this data, application of residuals to pervious surfaces in Tacoma would result in an annual C sequestration rate of 0.22 Mg C ha−1 year−1, similar to rates observed for no- till agriculture. Use of urban generated residuals offers a low impact and sustainable means to increase urban soil carbon reserves.

Keywords

Biosolids Compost Organic residuals Turfgrass Land use 
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© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.School of Forest ResourcesUniversity of WashingtonSeattleUSA
  2. 2.Department of Crop and Soil SciencesWashington State UniversityPuyallupUSA

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