Micro- and nano-environments of C sequestration in soil: A multi-elemental STXM-NEXAFS assessment of black C and organomineral associations

► STXM-NEXAFS identified terminal micro- and nano-organic C repository environments in undisturbed organomineral assemblage ► Produced multi-element images and fingerprint of physically entrapped particulate black C, non-black C and mineral matter ► Provided submicron-level multi-element insight about the most likely binding mechanisms in the organomineral interface ► Provided evidence for a “two-way” direct associative interaction between black C, non-black C and mineral matter ► Provided evidence for “three-way” indirect molecular-level linkage between black C, non-black C and mineral matter