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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
09:38
Single-throughput Complementary High-resolution Analytical Techniques for Characterizing Complex Natural Organic Matter Mixtures
Published on: January 7, 2019
Oxalate and oxalotrophy: an environmental perspective
Don A Cowan1, Darya Babenko2, Ryan Bird3
1Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa.
Sustainable Microbiology
|August 11, 2026
Summary
Plants produce abundant oxalic acid, which soil microbes convert to carbon dioxide and calcite. This oxalate-carbonate pathway significantly impacts soil carbon cycling and nutrient dynamics, contributing to global carbon turnover.
Area of Science:
- Biogeochemistry
- Microbial Ecology
- Soil Science
Background:
- Oxalic acid is a major plant-derived organic acid deposited in leaf litter.
- Microbial oxidation of oxalic acid influences soil pH and carbonate equilibria.
- The oxalate-carbonate pathway sequesters atmospheric CO2 into soils as calcite (CaCO3).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of oxalotrophs and oxalotrophy.
- To elucidate the role of oxalotrophy in terrestrial ecosystem services.
- To highlight the relevance of oxalotrophy to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing research on oxalotrophy.
- Synthesis of knowledge on microbial, genetic, and enzymatic aspects of oxalotrophy.
- Analysis of the role of oxalotrophy in carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling.
Main Results:
- The microbiomics, genetics, and enzymology of oxalotrophy are well-established.
- Oxalotrophy is a significant contributor to global carbon turnover.
- Understanding landscape-scale kinetics is crucial for process modeling.
Conclusions:
- Oxalotrophy plays a vital role in terrestrial ecosystem functions, particularly carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling.
- Recognizing oxalotrophy is essential for accurate ecosystem natural capital valuation.
- Further research into landscape-scale kinetics is needed to integrate oxalotrophy into models for SDGs.
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