选取我国5个地带的典型土壤、代表性土壤粘粒矿物和细菌，利用常规化学和原子力显微镜、同步辐射、纳米二次离子质谱、NanoCT、Geochip等多种现代仪器分析和分子生物学技术，在分析自然土壤不同形态、来源与功能的有机碳基础上，结合土壤及主要土壤组分互作的长时间尺度培养实验，探讨土壤固碳组分互作与有机碳形态、结构和功能基因的关系，及其动态变化。模拟土壤团聚体形成过程，探讨土壤组分团聚作用力、形貌结构及稳定性与有机碳固定的关系。从分子水平揭示土壤矿物-有机物-微生物相互作用界面有机碳的固定、释放及转化机制，阐明土壤组分团聚过程对有机碳保护的作用机理。通过大量已有数据的搜集整理和综合分析，构建土壤组分互作与碳固定的机理模型，为提升土壤质量，扩充土壤碳库，控制碳排放，应对全球气候变化提供科学依据。拟发表高水平SCI论文16-18篇，培养研究生10-12名。

Natural soils from five zones of China, typical soil components and bacteria are selected. Conventional chemical and modern instrumental techniques such as atomic force microscopy, synchrotron, NanoSIM, NanoCT and Geochip are employed. Analysis of organic carbons with respect to their origin, structure and functions is conducted. The long-term experiments on natural soils and synthetic soils with major soil constituents are designed. The relations and dynamics between soil components interactions and organic carbon species, carbon structure and soil functional genes are characterized. The formation of soil aggregates is simulated. The interaction force, morphology and structure, and stability are determined and will be correlated with sequestration of organic carbon. It is expected to uncover the mechanisms regarding the sequestration, release and transformation of organic carbon at the interfaces of soil mineral-organic matter-microorganisms interactions. The protective effects of soil aggregation on carbon sequestration will be elucidated. Based on the meta-analysis of the results obtained from this study and those from the world over the past 30 years, the mechanism models on soil components interactions and carbon sequestration will be established. The achievements would provide scientific basis for the promotion of soil quality, enhancement of soil carbon pool and control of carbon emission which is fundamental for fighting global climate change. The accomplishment of this project may publish 16-18 SCI-indexed papers and train 10-12 graduate students.