# Root Exudate Driven Perturbations of Iron Oxide-Organic Matter Assemblages:  Impact on Phase Transformations and Carbon Fractionation

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (MN) · $600,000

## Abstract

With support from the Environmental Chemical Sciences (ECS) program in the Division of Chemistry, Professors R. Lee Penn and Rene Boiteau at the University of Minnesota investigate the stability of organic matter (OM) and minerals in soils and sediments. Results will elucidate and improve predictions of OM accumulation and degradation.   Assemblages of iron oxide minerals and organic matter, hereafter referred to as Fe-OM, are major regulators of global carbon and nutrient cycles, with OM often protected by minerals through complex and interconnected chemical processes. Using model compounds and whole root exudates, the team will examine how plant exudates transform Fe-OM and impact the distribution of OM within the solid and liquid phases and at their interfaces as minerals change over time.  Findings will elucidate mechanisms of OM stabilization and disruption that can shed light on how plant and microbial processes affect OM stability, potentially leading to new strategies for increasing soil carbon and supporting sustainable land use. The project will also develop open-source machine learning algorithms to predict how organic molecules react with minerals in soil, with applications to understanding the fate of various chemicals, including pollutants.

This project aims to test the hypothesis that plant exudate molecules that act as both reductants and chelates may be particularly effective at promoting the release of Fe and OM from Fe-OM, and that certain Fe-OM material

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2505780
- **Awardee organization:** University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (MN)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** KABJZBBJ4B54
- **PI:** R. Lee Penn
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** Artificial Intelligence (AI), SusChEM, CAS-Critical Aspects of Sustainability
- **Estimated total:** $600,000
- **Funds obligated:** $415,000
- **Transaction type:** Continuing Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2028

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2505780

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2505780, Root Exudate Driven Perturbations of Iron Oxide-Organic Matter Assemblages:  Impact on Phase Transformations and Carbon Fractionation. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2505780. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NSF Awards dataset](/datasets/nsf-awards) · CC0 1.0*