Unveiling organomineral associations at the nanoscale by bridging their structure and dynamics

The NANOCLICS project will demonstrate that metallic polymers of just a few atoms linked to organic molecules are the pivotal organomineral association structures in soils. They form an hydrated gel nanostructure called nanoCLICs. The project will: 1) explore their structure at the nanoscale in 10 soil types; 2) elucidate the nanoCLICs dynamics; and 3) quantify their contribution to soil carbon sequestration. The project will rely on the nanoCLICs molecular model that I previously developed.Organomineral associations stabilize organic compounds in soils, which is crucial for long-term carbon sequestration and plant nutrition. Demonstrating that metallic polymers of a few atoms linked to organic molecules are the molecular units of these associations is key to understanding carbon stabilization, but their nanostructure and dynamics must first be deciphered.Organic molecule adsorption on mineral surfaces is often put forward to explain the persistence of organic compounds in soils. However, direct in situ characterization in intact samples has been challenging due to the lack of true nanometer-scale resolution analyses. My recent studies have demonstrated that organomineral nanostructures can now be characterized using advanced nanometer-resolved nanoscience techniques.By using these techniques, which I recently applied to Andosols, we will fulfil three objectives:STRUCTURE: we will explore the nanoCLIs structure at the nanoscale in 10 soil types using nanoscale spatially resolved imaging techniquesDYNAMICS: we will elucidate the nanoCLICs dynamics (formation, evolution, disruption) using a specifically developed long-term column experimentMODEL: we will quantify nanoCLICs contributions to soil carbon sequestration by linking nanoscale organomineral knowledge with operational carbon storage modelsThe NANOCLICS project will unlock crucial insights into the stabilization and destabilization of soil organic matter, enhancing soil carbon management.