Why this rust-like mineral is one of Earth’s best carbon vaults

A common iron mineral hiding in soil turns out to be far better at trapping carbon than scientists realized. Its surface isn’t uniform — it’s a nanoscale patchwork of positive and negative charges that can grab many different organic molecules. Instead of relying on a single weak attraction, the mineral uses several bonding strategies to hold carbon tightly in place. This helps explain how soils store enormous amounts of carbon for the long term.

Updates Feb 9, 2026 0 4 Add to Reading List

Why this rust-like mineral is one of Earth’s best carbon vaults

WHY THE HEN DOES NOT HAVE TEETH STORY BOOK

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WHY THE HEN DOES NOT HAVE TEETH STORY BOOK

Click the image to get your copy!

WHY THE HEN DOES NOT HAVE TEETH STORY BOOK

Click the image to get your copy!

A common iron mineral hiding in soil turns out to be far better at trapping carbon than scientists realized. Its surface isn’t uniform — it’s a nanoscale patchwork of positive and negative charges that can grab many different organic molecules. Instead of relying on a single weak attraction, the mineral uses several bonding strategies to hold carbon tightly in place. This helps explain how soils store enormous amounts of carbon for the long term.

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