Another example of an article selectively picking bits and pieces to support a sensational and false conclusion. The discussion of oxygen exposure was conveniently left out. Why focus so much on the concept of recalcitrant carbon when microbes will break down rock and even petrochemicals under the right conditions?

Oxygen is a dominant factor in accelerated decomposition. Carbon is continually sequestered in healthy soils where plant roots will die back periodically, both seasonally and from grazing action. Much of the spent root carbon is sequestered in the soil as the limited local oxygen is used in partial decomposition, replaced with gases that serve to preserve and dilute whatever small amount of oxygen may later infiltrate the soil, depending on depth in soil.

This is the same concept seen when lacto-fermenting vegetables in a jar. Enough salts would effectively halt decomposition, but just a fraction of the salt is needed when the CO2 generated from the lacto bacteria flushes out the oxygen. The rising acid and falling oxygen gradually drive the microbial activity toward zero.