Effects of Land Consolidation Using Soft Rock on Sandy Soil Organic Carbon Density in Mu Us Sandy Land, Northwest China

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine how four different consolidation patterns using soft rock for sand land affected soil organic carbon change and its vertical distribution by 5-year experiments in Mu Us Sandy Land, Northwest of China. Materials and Methods: Soft rock was used as a natural improved material to regulate sand land. Soft rock was mixed in sandy soil with four volume rations: 1:1, 1:2, 1:5 and 0:1 as land consolidation patterns (LCP) to research. Filed plot experiments were conducted from 2010 to 2014, and soil organic carbon density and aggregate-size distribution were evaluated in the 0-40-cm soil layers. Results: SOC content and SOC density of the ratio 1:1 were greater than other LCP and the relative distribution of SOC with depth had stronger association with LCP and planting years in the 0-30-cm soil layers except deeper intervals for sand land. However soil aggregate size was slightly influenced with LCP. Conclusion: Adding soft rock to sand can improve soil structure and soil organic carbon effectively. The content of organic carbon in sandy land increased with the increase of the amount of soft rock and the number of years of planting. It suggests that the use of soft rock as materials in controlling sand land is applicable.