The Coupling Mechanisms of Alkalinity–Salinity–Soil Inorganic Carbon in Saline–Alkali Soils along the Yellow River
摘要
Arid and semi-arid saline–alkali soils constitute a previously unquantified inorganic carbon sink that can account for a substantial portion of the residual terrestrial CO₂ budget. To exploit the productive potential of saline–alkali lands along the Yellow River, this study considers the alkalinity (pH), salinity (EC), and soil inorganic carbon (SIC) at the Hangjinghou Banner region, in the Inner Mongolia section of the Yellow River. Using geographic information system technology, a spatial analysis of pH, EC, and SIC in saline–alkali soil before summer irrigation was conducted. The 3D Copula joint distribution model were applied to quantitatively investigate the coupling relationships among pH, EC, and SIC. Alkalization is predominantly moderate (0–40 cm), salinization is mainly non-salinized, and SIC is highly concentrated (15–20 g/kg) across both layers (0–40 cm). Within a depth of 140 cm, the probability of cultivable land being slightly alkaline and mildly salinized or lower ranges is 30.16%, while the probability of these zones being suitable for inorganic carbon sequestration reaches 69.84%. Within the depth range of 140 cm, an empirical pH (8.0-8.8) and EC (1.5–2.5 ms/cm) range for high SIC (> 19 g/kg) was identified.