Characterizing SalineSodic Soils in a Semi-Arid Floodplain: Implications of Soil Texture on Salinity and Alkalinity in Tuoketuo County, Inner Mongolia

作者：Yang Tian, Ling-shao Kong · 发表于：Theoretical and Natural Science · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.54254/2753-8818/2025.au24579

Soil salinization and alkalization threaten agricultural productivity in arid and semi-arid regions, particularly in Inner Mongolia. This study investigates the spatial variability of salinity and alkalinity in Tuoketuo County, located in the Yellow River floodplain, where salinesodic soils are widespread. Soil samples were collected across varying distances from the Da Hei He river channel and from both natural and remediated or cultivated lands, and analyzed for key soil physicochemical properties, including electrical conductivity (EC), pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), exchangeable sodium (Na), and particle size distribution. Results showed no significant variation in EC or pH with depth but revealed strong associations with soil texture. EC was negatively correlated with sand content and positively with clay, while pH showed a moderate positive correlation with clay content. The patterns suggest that soil texture is a controlling factor of salinity and alkalinity across these soils, likely through its effects on drainage and sodium retention. Though EC levels were lower in soils currently under remediation or cultivation, sodicity persisted, with all tested samples exhibiting exchangeable sodium percentages above 15%. This highlights that short-term remediation efforts have limited effectiveness in addressing soil alkalinity and sodicity. Our findings emphasize the importance of incorporating soil texture into future remediation planning and support the need for expand...