diff --git a/src/crimson/os/seastore/async_cleaner.cc b/src/crimson/os/seastore/async_cleaner.cc
index 1a5b3df1479..e0d198be78f 100644
--- a/src/crimson/os/seastore/async_cleaner.cc
+++ b/src/crimson/os/seastore/async_cleaner.cc
@@ -907,12 +907,11 @@ AsyncCleaner::_retrieve_live_extents(
   std::vector<CachedExtentRef> &extents)
 {
   return seastar::do_with(
-    JOURNAL_SEQ_NULL,
     std::move(backrefs),
-    [this, &t, &extents](auto &seq, auto &backrefs) {
+    [this, &t, &extents](auto &backrefs) {
     return trans_intr::parallel_for_each(
       backrefs,
-      [this, &extents, &t, &seq](auto &ent) {
+      [this, &extents, &t](auto &ent) {
       LOG_PREFIX(AsyncCleaner::_retrieve_live_extents);
       DEBUGT("getting extent of type {} at {}~{}",
 	t,
@@ -921,13 +920,10 @@ AsyncCleaner::_retrieve_live_extents(
 	ent.len);
       return ecb->get_extents_if_live(
 	t, ent.type, ent.paddr, ent.laddr, ent.len
-      ).si_then([this, FNAME, &extents, &ent, &seq, &t](auto list) {
+      ).si_then([&extents, &ent, &t](auto list) {
+	LOG_PREFIX(AsyncCleaner::_retrieve_live_extents);
 	if (list.empty()) {
 	  DEBUGT("addr {} dead, skipping", t, ent.paddr);
-	  auto backref = backref_manager.get_cached_backref_removal(ent.paddr);
-	  if (seq == JOURNAL_SEQ_NULL || seq < backref.seq) {
-	    seq = backref.seq;
-	  }
 	} else {
 	  for (auto &e : list) {
 	    extents.emplace_back(std::move(e));
@@ -935,9 +931,6 @@ AsyncCleaner::_retrieve_live_extents(
 	}
 	return ExtentCallbackInterface::rewrite_extent_iertr::now();
       });
-    }).si_then([&seq] {
-      return retrieve_live_extents_iertr::make_ready_future<
-	journal_seq_t>(std::move(seq));
     });
   });
 }
@@ -1008,63 +1001,61 @@ AsyncCleaner::gc_reclaim_space_ret AsyncCleaner::gc_reclaim_space()
 	  reclaimed = 0;
 	  runs++;
 	  return seastar::do_with(
-	    backref_manager.get_cached_backref_extents_in_range(
-	      reclaim_state->start_pos, reclaim_state->end_pos),
-	    backref_manager.get_cached_backrefs_in_range(
-	      reclaim_state->start_pos, reclaim_state->end_pos),
-	    backref_manager.get_cached_backref_removals_in_range(
-	      reclaim_state->start_pos, reclaim_state->end_pos),
 	    JOURNAL_SEQ_NULL,
 	    [this, &reclaimed, &pin_list](
-	      auto &backref_extents,
-	      auto &backrefs,
-	      auto &del_backrefs,
 	      auto &seq) {
 	    return ecb->with_transaction_intr(
 	      Transaction::src_t::CLEANER_RECLAIM,
 	      "reclaim_space",
-	      [this, &backref_extents, &backrefs, &seq,
-	      &del_backrefs, &reclaimed, &pin_list](auto &t) {
-	      LOG_PREFIX(AsyncCleaner::gc_reclaim_space);
-	      DEBUGT("{} backrefs, {} del_backrefs, {} pins", t,
-		backrefs.size(), del_backrefs.size(), pin_list.size());
-	      for (auto &br : backrefs) {
-		if (seq == JOURNAL_SEQ_NULL
-		    || (br.seq != JOURNAL_SEQ_NULL && br.seq > seq))
-		  seq = br.seq;
-	      }
-	      for (auto &pin : pin_list) {
-		backrefs.emplace(
-		  pin->get_key(),
-		  pin->get_val(),
-		  pin->get_length(),
-		  pin->get_type(),
-		  journal_seq_t());
-	      }
-	      for (auto &del_backref : del_backrefs) {
-		DEBUGT("del_backref {}~{} {} {}", t,
-		  del_backref.paddr, del_backref.len, del_backref.type, del_backref.seq);
-		auto it = backrefs.find(del_backref.paddr);
-		if (it != backrefs.end() &&
-		    it->len == del_backref.len)
-		  backrefs.erase(it);
-		if (seq == JOURNAL_SEQ_NULL
-		    || (del_backref.seq != JOURNAL_SEQ_NULL && del_backref.seq > seq))
-		  seq = del_backref.seq;
-	      }
+	      [this, &seq, &reclaimed, &pin_list](auto &t) {
 	      return seastar::do_with(
 		std::vector<CachedExtentRef>(),
-		[this, &backref_extents, &backrefs, &reclaimed, &t, &seq]
+		[this, &reclaimed, &t, &seq, &pin_list]
 		(auto &extents) {
 		return backref_manager.retrieve_backref_extents(
-		  t, std::move(backref_extents), extents
-		).si_then([this, &extents, &t, &backrefs] {
+		  t,
+		  backref_manager.get_cached_backref_extents_in_range(
+		    reclaim_state->start_pos, reclaim_state->end_pos),
+		  extents
+		).si_then([this, &extents, &t, &pin_list] {
+		  // calculate live extents
+		  auto backref_set = 
+		    backref_manager.get_cached_backrefs_in_range(
+		      reclaim_state->start_pos, reclaim_state->end_pos);
+		  std::set<
+		    backref_buf_entry_t,
+		    backref_buf_entry_t::cmp_t> backrefs;
+		  for (auto &pin : pin_list) {
+		    backrefs.emplace(pin->get_key(), pin->get_val(),
+		      pin->get_length(), pin->get_type(), journal_seq_t());
+		  }
+		  for (auto &backref : backref_set) {
+		    if (backref.laddr == L_ADDR_NULL) {
+		      auto it = backrefs.find(backref.paddr);
+		      assert(it->len == backref.len);
+		      backrefs.erase(it);
+		    } else {
+		      backrefs.emplace(backref.paddr, backref.laddr,
+			backref.len, backref.type, backref.seq);
+		    }
+		  }
+		  // retrieve live extents
 		  return _retrieve_live_extents(
 		    t, std::move(backrefs), extents);
-		}).si_then([this, &seq, &t](auto nseq) {
-		  if (nseq != JOURNAL_SEQ_NULL &&
-		      (nseq > seq || seq == JOURNAL_SEQ_NULL))
-		    seq = nseq;
+		}).si_then([this, &t, &seq] {
+		  // we need to get the backref_set in range again, because
+		  // it can change during live extents retrieval
+		  auto backref_set = 
+		    backref_manager.get_cached_backrefs_in_range(
+		      reclaim_state->start_pos, reclaim_state->end_pos);
+		  // calculate the journal seq up to which the backref merge
+		  // should run
+		  for (auto &backref : backref_set) {
+		    if (backref.seq != JOURNAL_SEQ_NULL &&
+			(backref.seq > seq || seq == JOURNAL_SEQ_NULL)) {
+		      seq = backref.seq;
+		    }
+		  }
 		  auto fut = BackrefManager::merge_cached_backrefs_iertr::now();
 		  if (seq != JOURNAL_SEQ_NULL) {
 		    fut = backref_manager.merge_cached_backrefs(
@@ -1089,7 +1080,9 @@ AsyncCleaner::gc_reclaim_space_ret AsyncCleaner::gc_reclaim_space()
 		  t.mark_segment_to_release(reclaim_state->get_segment_id());
 		}
 		return ecb->submit_transaction_direct(
-		  t, std::make_optional<journal_seq_t>(std::move(seq)));
+		  t, std::make_optional<journal_seq_t>(std::move(seq)),
+		  std::make_optional<std::pair<paddr_t, paddr_t>>(
+		    {reclaim_state->start_pos, reclaim_state->end_pos}));
 	      });
 	    });
 	  });
@@ -1098,18 +1091,6 @@ AsyncCleaner::gc_reclaim_space_ret AsyncCleaner::gc_reclaim_space()
     }).safe_then(
       [&reclaimed, this, pavail_ratio, start, &runs] {
       LOG_PREFIX(AsyncCleaner::gc_reclaim_space);
-#ifndef NDEBUG
-      auto ndel_backrefs =
-	backref_manager.get_cached_backref_removals_in_range(
-	  reclaim_state->start_pos, reclaim_state->end_pos);
-      if (!ndel_backrefs.empty()) {
-	for (auto &del_br : ndel_backrefs) {
-	  ERROR("unexpected del_backref {}~{} {} {}",
-	    del_br.paddr, del_br.len, del_br.type, del_br.seq);
-	}
-	ceph_abort("impossible");
-      }
-#endif
       stats.reclaiming_bytes += reclaimed;
       auto d = seastar::lowres_system_clock::now() - start;
       DEBUG("duration: {}, pavail_ratio before: {}, repeats: {}", d, pavail_ratio, runs);
@@ -1311,7 +1292,8 @@ AsyncCleaner::maybe_release_segment(Transaction &t)
     return sm_group->release_segment(to_release
     ).safe_then([this, FNAME, &t, to_release] {
       auto old_usage = calc_utilization(to_release);
-      if(old_usage != 0) {
+      if(unlikely(old_usage != 0)) {
+	space_tracker->dump_usage(to_release);
 	ERRORT("segment {} old_usage {} != 0", t, to_release, old_usage);
 	ceph_abort();
       }
@@ -1386,10 +1368,11 @@ void AsyncCleaner::mark_space_used(
 
 void AsyncCleaner::mark_space_free(
   paddr_t addr,
-  extent_len_t len)
+  extent_len_t len,
+  bool init_scan)
 {
   LOG_PREFIX(AsyncCleaner::mark_space_free);
-  if (!init_complete) {
+  if (!init_complete && !init_scan) {
     return;
   }
   if (addr.get_addr_type() != addr_types_t::SEGMENT) {
diff --git a/src/crimson/os/seastore/async_cleaner.h b/src/crimson/os/seastore/async_cleaner.h
index 8aef05a09bc..94791486ff9 100644
--- a/src/crimson/os/seastore/async_cleaner.h
+++ b/src/crimson/os/seastore/async_cleaner.h
@@ -666,7 +666,8 @@ public:
       submit_transaction_direct_iertr::future<>;
     virtual submit_transaction_direct_ret submit_transaction_direct(
       Transaction &t,
-      std::optional<journal_seq_t> seq_to_trim = std::nullopt) = 0;
+      std::optional<journal_seq_t> seq_to_trim = std::nullopt,
+      std::optional<std::pair<paddr_t, paddr_t>> gc_range = std::nullopt) = 0;
   };
 
 private:
@@ -835,7 +836,8 @@ public:
 
   void mark_space_free(
     paddr_t addr,
-    extent_len_t len);
+    extent_len_t len,
+    bool init_scan = false);
 
   SpaceTrackerIRef get_empty_space_tracker() const {
     return space_tracker->make_empty();
@@ -1110,7 +1112,7 @@ private:
 
   using retrieve_live_extents_iertr = work_iertr;
   using retrieve_live_extents_ret =
-    retrieve_live_extents_iertr::future<journal_seq_t>;
+    retrieve_live_extents_iertr::future<>;
   retrieve_live_extents_ret _retrieve_live_extents(
     Transaction &t,
     std::set<
diff --git a/src/crimson/os/seastore/backref/btree_backref_manager.cc b/src/crimson/os/seastore/backref/btree_backref_manager.cc
index 9823a218a0e..5d0d6bf7881 100644
--- a/src/crimson/os/seastore/backref/btree_backref_manager.cc
+++ b/src/crimson/os/seastore/backref/btree_backref_manager.cc
@@ -437,32 +437,12 @@ BtreeBackrefManager::get_cached_backrefs_in_range(
   return cache.get_backrefs_in_range(start, end);
 }
 
-Cache::backref_buf_entry_query_set_t
-BtreeBackrefManager::get_cached_backref_removals_in_range(
-  paddr_t start,
-  paddr_t end)
-{
-  return cache.get_del_backrefs_in_range(start, end);
-}
-
-const backref_buf_entry_t::set_t&
-BtreeBackrefManager::get_cached_backref_removals()
-{
-  return cache.get_del_backrefs();
-}
-
-const backref_buf_entry_t::set_t&
+const backref_set_t&
 BtreeBackrefManager::get_cached_backrefs()
 {
   return cache.get_backrefs();
 }
 
-backref_buf_entry_t
-BtreeBackrefManager::get_cached_backref_removal(paddr_t addr)
-{
-  return cache.get_del_backref(addr);
-}
-
 Cache::backref_extent_buf_entry_query_set_t
 BtreeBackrefManager::get_cached_backref_extents_in_range(
   paddr_t start,
@@ -503,8 +483,4 @@ BtreeBackrefManager::retrieve_backref_extents(
   });
 }
 
-bool BtreeBackrefManager::backref_should_be_removed(paddr_t paddr) {
-  return cache.backref_should_be_removed(paddr);
-}
-
 } // namespace crimson::os::seastore::backref
diff --git a/src/crimson/os/seastore/backref/btree_backref_manager.h b/src/crimson/os/seastore/backref/btree_backref_manager.h
index ddfae7ec48c..5bc7476373e 100644
--- a/src/crimson/os/seastore/backref/btree_backref_manager.h
+++ b/src/crimson/os/seastore/backref/btree_backref_manager.h
@@ -104,15 +104,7 @@ public:
   get_cached_backrefs_in_range(
     paddr_t start,
     paddr_t end) final;
-
-  Cache::backref_buf_entry_query_set_t
-  get_cached_backref_removals_in_range(
-    paddr_t start,
-    paddr_t end) final;
-
-  const backref_buf_entry_t::set_t& get_cached_backref_removals() final;
-  const backref_buf_entry_t::set_t& get_cached_backrefs() final;
-  backref_buf_entry_t get_cached_backref_removal(paddr_t addr) final;
+  const backref_set_t& get_cached_backrefs() final;
 
   Cache::backref_extent_buf_entry_query_set_t
   get_cached_backref_extents_in_range(
@@ -126,8 +118,6 @@ public:
 
   void cache_new_backref_extent(paddr_t paddr, extent_types_t type) final;
 
-  bool backref_should_be_removed(paddr_t paddr) final;
-
 private:
   SegmentManagerGroup &sm_group;
   Cache &cache;
diff --git a/src/crimson/os/seastore/backref_manager.h b/src/crimson/os/seastore/backref_manager.h
index 8082356d395..76a08257c97 100644
--- a/src/crimson/os/seastore/backref_manager.h
+++ b/src/crimson/os/seastore/backref_manager.h
@@ -87,23 +87,13 @@ public:
   get_cached_backrefs_in_range(
     paddr_t start,
     paddr_t end) = 0;
-
-  virtual Cache::backref_buf_entry_query_set_t
-  get_cached_backref_removals_in_range(
-    paddr_t start,
-    paddr_t end) = 0;
-
-  virtual const backref_buf_entry_t::set_t& get_cached_backref_removals() = 0;
-  virtual const backref_buf_entry_t::set_t& get_cached_backrefs() = 0;
-  virtual backref_buf_entry_t get_cached_backref_removal(paddr_t addr) = 0;
+  virtual const backref_set_t& get_cached_backrefs() = 0;
 
   virtual Cache::backref_extent_buf_entry_query_set_t
   get_cached_backref_extents_in_range(
     paddr_t start,
     paddr_t end) = 0;
 
-  virtual bool backref_should_be_removed(paddr_t paddr) = 0;
-
   using retrieve_backref_extents_iertr = trans_iertr<
     crimson::errorator<
       crimson::ct_error::input_output_error>
diff --git a/src/crimson/os/seastore/cache.cc b/src/crimson/os/seastore/cache.cc
index c2f88f2df82..54922cd02c7 100644
--- a/src/crimson/os/seastore/cache.cc
+++ b/src/crimson/os/seastore/cache.cc
@@ -28,6 +28,15 @@ SET_SUBSYS(seastore_cache);
 
 namespace crimson::os::seastore {
 
+std::ostream &operator<<(std::ostream &out, const backref_buf_entry_t &ent) {
+  return out << "backref_buf_entry_t{"
+	     << ent.paddr << "~" << ent.len << ", "
+	     << "laddr: " << ent.laddr << ", "
+	     << "type: " << ent.type << ", "
+	     << "seq: " << ent.seq << ", "
+	     << "}";
+}
+
 Cache::Cache(
   ExtentPlacementManager &epm)
   : epm(epm),
@@ -1351,39 +1360,9 @@ void Cache::backref_batch_update(
   if (!backref_buffer) {
     backref_buffer = std::make_unique<backref_cache_t>();
   }
-  // backref_buf_entry_t::laddr == L_ADDR_NULL means erase
+
   for (auto &ent : list) {
-    if (ent->laddr == L_ADDR_NULL) {
-      auto insert_set_iter = backref_inserted_set.find(
-	ent->paddr, backref_buf_entry_t::cmp_t());
-      if (insert_set_iter == backref_inserted_set.end()) {
-	// backref to be removed isn't in the backref buffer,
-	// it must be in the backref tree.
-	auto [it, insert] = backref_remove_set.insert(*ent);
-	boost::ignore_unused(insert);
-#ifndef NDEBUG
-	if (!insert) {
-	  ERROR("backref_remove_set already contains {}", ent->paddr);
-	}
-#endif
-	assert(insert);
-      } else {
-	// the backref insertion hasn't been applied to the
-	// backref tree
-	auto seq = insert_set_iter->seq;
-	auto it = backref_buffer->backrefs_by_seq.find(seq);
-	ceph_assert(it != backref_buffer->backrefs_by_seq.end());
-	auto &backref_buf = it->second;
-	assert(insert_set_iter->backref_buf_hook.is_linked());
-	backref_buf.br_list.erase(
-	  backref_buf_entry_t::list_t::s_iterator_to(*insert_set_iter));
-	backref_inserted_set.erase(insert_set_iter);
-      }
-    } else {
-      auto [it, insert] = backref_inserted_set.insert(*ent);
-      boost::ignore_unused(insert);
-      assert(insert);
-    }
+    backref_set.insert(*ent);
   }
 
   auto iter = backref_buffer->backrefs_by_seq.find(seq);
diff --git a/src/crimson/os/seastore/cache.h b/src/crimson/os/seastore/cache.h
index a0cd4e178f9..54a96c12b59 100644
--- a/src/crimson/os/seastore/cache.h
+++ b/src/crimson/os/seastore/cache.h
@@ -68,6 +68,7 @@ struct backref_buf_entry_t {
     const backref_buf_entry_t &r) {
     return l.paddr == r.paddr;
   }
+
   using set_hook_t =
     boost::intrusive::set_member_hook<
       boost::intrusive::link_mode<
@@ -84,7 +85,7 @@ struct backref_buf_entry_t {
     backref_buf_entry_t,
     set_hook_t,
     &backref_buf_entry_t::backref_set_hook>;
-  using set_t = boost::intrusive::set<
+  using set_t = boost::intrusive::multiset<
     backref_buf_entry_t,
     backref_set_member_options,
     boost::intrusive::constant_time_size<false>>;
@@ -113,9 +114,13 @@ struct backref_buf_entry_t {
   };
 };
 
+std::ostream &operator<<(std::ostream &out, const backref_buf_entry_t &ent);
+
 using backref_buf_entry_ref =
   std::unique_ptr<backref_buf_entry_t>;
 
+using backref_set_t = backref_buf_entry_t::set_t;
+
 struct backref_buf_t {
   backref_buf_t(std::vector<backref_buf_entry_ref> &&refs) : backrefs(std::move(refs)) {
     for (auto &ref : backrefs) {
@@ -555,27 +560,23 @@ private:
   }
 
   backref_cache_ref backref_buffer;
-  // backrefs that needs to be inserted into the backref tree
-  backref_buf_entry_t::set_t backref_inserted_set;
-  backref_buf_entry_t::set_t backref_remove_set; // backrefs needs to be removed
-						 // from the backref tree
+  backref_set_t backref_set; // in cache backrefs indexed by paddr_t
 
   using backref_buf_entry_query_set_t =
-    std::set<
+    std::multiset<
       backref_buf_entry_t,
       backref_buf_entry_t::cmp_t>;
+
   backref_buf_entry_query_set_t get_backrefs_in_range(
     paddr_t start,
     paddr_t end) {
-    auto start_iter = backref_inserted_set.lower_bound(
+    auto start_iter = backref_set.lower_bound(
       start,
       backref_buf_entry_t::cmp_t());
-    auto end_iter = backref_inserted_set.lower_bound(
+    auto end_iter = backref_set.lower_bound(
       end,
       backref_buf_entry_t::cmp_t());
-    std::set<
-      backref_buf_entry_t,
-      backref_buf_entry_t::cmp_t> res;
+    backref_buf_entry_query_set_t res;
     for (auto it = start_iter;
 	 it != end_iter;
 	 it++) {
@@ -584,47 +585,8 @@ private:
     return res;
   }
 
-  backref_buf_entry_query_set_t get_del_backrefs_in_range(
-    paddr_t start,
-    paddr_t end) {
-    LOG_PREFIX(Cache::get_del_backrefs_in_range);
-    SUBDEBUG(seastore_cache, "total {} del_backrefs", backref_remove_set.size());
-    auto start_iter = backref_remove_set.lower_bound(
-      start,
-      backref_buf_entry_t::cmp_t());
-    auto end_iter = backref_remove_set.lower_bound(
-      end,
-      backref_buf_entry_t::cmp_t());
-    std::set<
-      backref_buf_entry_t,
-      backref_buf_entry_t::cmp_t> res;
-    for (auto it = start_iter;
-	 it != end_iter;
-	 it++) {
-      res.emplace(it->paddr, it->laddr, it->len, it->type, it->seq);
-    }
-    SUBDEBUG(seastore_cache, "{} del_backrefs in range", res.size());
-    return res;
-  }
-
-  backref_buf_entry_t get_del_backref(
-    paddr_t addr) {
-    auto it = backref_remove_set.find(addr, backref_buf_entry_t::cmp_t());
-    assert(it != backref_remove_set.end());
-    return *it;
-  }
-
-  bool backref_should_be_removed(paddr_t addr) {
-    return backref_remove_set.find(
-      addr, backref_buf_entry_t::cmp_t()) != backref_remove_set.end();
-  }
-
-  const backref_buf_entry_t::set_t& get_backrefs() {
-    return backref_inserted_set;
-  }
-
-  const backref_buf_entry_t::set_t& get_del_backrefs() {
-    return backref_remove_set;
+  const backref_set_t& get_backrefs() {
+    return backref_set;
   }
 
   backref_cache_ref& get_backref_buffer() {
diff --git a/src/crimson/os/seastore/seastore.cc b/src/crimson/os/seastore/seastore.cc
index ddbd44e3da6..125a374edde 100644
--- a/src/crimson/os/seastore/seastore.cc
+++ b/src/crimson/os/seastore/seastore.cc
@@ -1043,7 +1043,6 @@ SeaStore::tm_ret SeaStore::_do_transaction_step(
   std::vector<OnodeRef> &d_onodes,
   ceph::os::Transaction::iterator &i)
 {
-  LOG_PREFIX(SeaStore::_do_transaction_step);
   auto op = i.decode_op();
 
   using ceph::os::Transaction;
@@ -1088,6 +1087,7 @@ SeaStore::tm_ret SeaStore::_do_transaction_step(
     }
   }
   return fut.si_then([&, op, this](auto&& get_onode) -> tm_ret {
+    LOG_PREFIX(SeaStore::_do_transaction_step);
     OnodeRef &o = onodes[op->oid];
     if (!o) {
       assert(get_onode);
diff --git a/src/crimson/os/seastore/transaction_manager.cc b/src/crimson/os/seastore/transaction_manager.cc
index 12ac86c7911..1224114b276 100644
--- a/src/crimson/os/seastore/transaction_manager.cc
+++ b/src/crimson/os/seastore/transaction_manager.cc
@@ -137,13 +137,10 @@ TransactionManager::mount_ertr::future<> TransactionManager::mount()
 		    t,
 		    addr,
 		    len);
-		  if (addr.is_real() &&
-		      !backref_manager->backref_should_be_removed(addr)) {
-		    async_cleaner->mark_space_used(
-		      addr,
-		      len ,
-		      /* init_scan = */ true);
-		  }
+		  async_cleaner->mark_space_used(
+		    addr,
+		    len ,
+		    /* init_scan = */ true);
 		  if (is_backref_node(type)) {
 		    ceph_assert(depth);
 		    backref_manager->cache_new_backref_extent(addr, type);
@@ -154,16 +151,24 @@ TransactionManager::mount_ertr::future<> TransactionManager::mount()
 		    cache->update_tree_extents_num(type, 1);
 		    return seastar::now();
 		  }
-		}).si_then([this] {
+		}).si_then([this, &t] {
 		  LOG_PREFIX(TransactionManager::mount);
 		  auto &backrefs = backref_manager->get_cached_backrefs();
-		  DEBUG("marking {} backrefs used", backrefs.size());
+		  DEBUGT("scan backref cache", t);
 		  for (auto &backref : backrefs) {
-		    async_cleaner->mark_space_used(
-		      backref.paddr,
-		      backref.len,
-		      true);
-		    cache->update_tree_extents_num(backref.type, 1);
+		    if (backref.laddr == L_ADDR_NULL) {
+		      async_cleaner->mark_space_free(
+			backref.paddr,
+			backref.len,
+			true);
+		      cache->update_tree_extents_num(backref.type, -1);
+		    } else {
+		      async_cleaner->mark_space_used(
+			backref.paddr,
+			backref.len,
+			true);
+		      cache->update_tree_extents_num(backref.type, 1);
+		    }
 		  }
 		  return seastar::now();
 		});
@@ -321,7 +326,8 @@ TransactionManager::submit_transaction(
 TransactionManager::submit_transaction_direct_ret
 TransactionManager::submit_transaction_direct(
   Transaction &tref,
-  std::optional<journal_seq_t> seq_to_trim)
+  std::optional<journal_seq_t> seq_to_trim,
+  std::optional<std::pair<paddr_t, paddr_t>> gc_range)
 {
   LOG_PREFIX(TransactionManager::submit_transaction_direct);
   SUBTRACET(seastore_t, "start", tref);
@@ -354,11 +360,26 @@ TransactionManager::submit_transaction_direct(
   }).si_then([this, FNAME, &tref] {
     SUBTRACET(seastore_t, "about to prepare", tref);
     return tref.get_handle().enter(write_pipeline.prepare);
-  }).si_then([this, FNAME, &tref, seq_to_trim=std::move(seq_to_trim)]() mutable
+  }).si_then([this, FNAME, &tref, seq_to_trim=std::move(seq_to_trim),
+	      gc_range=std::move(gc_range)]() mutable
 	      -> submit_transaction_iertr::future<> {
     if (seq_to_trim && *seq_to_trim != JOURNAL_SEQ_NULL) {
       cache->trim_backref_bufs(*seq_to_trim);
     }
+
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+    if (gc_range) {
+      auto backref_set = 
+	backref_manager->get_cached_backrefs_in_range(
+	  gc_range->first, gc_range->second);
+      for (auto &backref : backref_set) {
+	ERRORT("unexpected backref: {}~{}, {}, {}, {}",
+	  tref, backref.paddr, backref.len, backref.laddr,
+	  backref.type, backref.seq);
+	ceph_abort("impossible");
+      }
+    }
+#endif
     auto record = cache->prepare_record(tref, async_cleaner.get());
 
     tref.get_handle().maybe_release_collection_lock();
diff --git a/src/crimson/os/seastore/transaction_manager.h b/src/crimson/os/seastore/transaction_manager.h
index d5c153df43c..295ba8f35ca 100644
--- a/src/crimson/os/seastore/transaction_manager.h
+++ b/src/crimson/os/seastore/transaction_manager.h
@@ -484,7 +484,8 @@ public:
   using AsyncCleaner::ExtentCallbackInterface::submit_transaction_direct_ret;
   submit_transaction_direct_ret submit_transaction_direct(
     Transaction &t,
-    std::optional<journal_seq_t> seq_to_trim = std::nullopt) final;
+    std::optional<journal_seq_t> seq_to_trim = std::nullopt,
+    std::optional<std::pair<paddr_t, paddr_t>> gc_range = std::nullopt) final;
 
   /**
    * flush
diff --git a/src/test/crimson/seastore/test_transaction_manager.cc b/src/test/crimson/seastore/test_transaction_manager.cc
index 34f37951128..54ba912b5e3 100644
--- a/src/test/crimson/seastore/test_transaction_manager.cc
+++ b/src/test/crimson/seastore/test_transaction_manager.cc
@@ -402,9 +402,8 @@ struct transaction_manager_test_t :
       [this, &tracker](auto &t) {
 	return backref_manager->scan_mapped_space(
 	  t,
-	  [&tracker, this](auto offset, auto len, depth_t, extent_types_t) {
-	    if (offset.get_addr_type() == addr_types_t::SEGMENT &&
-		!backref_manager->backref_should_be_removed(offset)) {
+	  [&tracker](auto offset, auto len, depth_t, extent_types_t) {
+	    if (offset.get_addr_type() == addr_types_t::SEGMENT) {
 	      logger().debug("check_usage: tracker alloc {}~{}",
 		offset, len);
 	      tracker->allocate(
@@ -416,12 +415,17 @@ struct transaction_manager_test_t :
 	    auto &backrefs = backref_manager->get_cached_backrefs();
 	    for (auto &backref : backrefs) {
 	      if (backref.paddr.get_addr_type() == addr_types_t::SEGMENT) {
-		logger().debug("check_usage: by backref, tracker alloc {}~{}",
-		  backref.paddr, backref.len);
-		tracker->allocate(
-		  backref.paddr.as_seg_paddr().get_segment_id(),
-		  backref.paddr.as_seg_paddr().get_segment_off(),
-		  backref.len);
+		if (backref.laddr == L_ADDR_NULL) {
+		  tracker->release(
+		    backref.paddr.as_seg_paddr().get_segment_id(),
+		    backref.paddr.as_seg_paddr().get_segment_off(),
+		    backref.len);
+		} else {
+		  tracker->allocate(
+		    backref.paddr.as_seg_paddr().get_segment_id(),
+		    backref.paddr.as_seg_paddr().get_segment_off(),
+		    backref.len);
+		}
 	      }
 	    }
 	    return seastar::now();