Spatial distributions of salt-based ions, a case study from the Hunshandake Sandy Land, China

PLoS One. 2022 Aug 5;17(8):e0271562. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271562. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Soil water soluble base ion salt-based ion concentrations are critical parameters for estimating soil buffer capacity and vegetation productivity. Ionic content clearly covaries with the distribution of plant communities. Previous studies on salt-based ions in soils focused primarily on ion migration and its relationships with vegetation growth. Few studies have sought to characterize larger scale spatial distribution of salt-based ions or correlation with climatic and plant community characteristics. This study used ion chromatography to analyze the salt-based ion content (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+) of surface soils from the Hunshandake sandy lands. Statistical methods were used interpret spatial variation. Results showed that the average content of salt-based ions in Hunshandake sandy land was 86.57 mg/kg. Average values ranked as Ca2+ > Na+ > K+ > Mg2+ but concentrations also exhibited uneven spatial distributions. Horizontal spatial variation in Ca2+, Mg2+ and Na+ ions showed these ions gradually decrease from northwest to southeast. Potassium ions (K+) showed no obvious spatial variation trends. Ions varied significantly across different soil layers but their average concentrations ranked as K+>Na+>Ca2+>Mg2+ (from shallow to deep). The 20-30 cm soil layer contained the highest salt ion concentrations. Of the four base ions, only K+ ions appeared in surface samples. In terms of water soluble base ion available salt-based ions, Ca2+ occurred in the highest concentrations along the north and west side of the study area. K+ ions occurred in the highest concentrations along the south and east sides of the study area. Na+ concentrations did not show a consistent spatial pattern. Statistical analysis detected significant correlations of normalized ion concentration parameters (Ca2+/CECT, K+/CEC, effective water soluble base ion salt-based ions) and the total species number, average species number and total biomass of the plant communities (P <0.05). This study can help inform understanding of soil water transport in sandy areas and provide a reference for interpreting ecosystems in arid regions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calcium / analysis
  • China
  • Ecosystem*
  • Ions / analysis
  • Magnesium / analysis
  • Plants
  • Potassium / analysis
  • Sand*
  • Sodium / analysis
  • Sodium Chloride / analysis
  • Sodium Chloride, Dietary / analysis
  • Soil / chemistry
  • Water / analysis

Substances

  • Ions
  • Sand
  • Sodium Chloride, Dietary
  • Soil
  • Water
  • Sodium Chloride
  • Sodium
  • Magnesium
  • Potassium
  • Calcium

Grants and funding

This study was sponsored as a Science and technology program of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region[2022YFDZ0027](Xie Yunhu), the funder had a role in programme development and publication; a Science and Technology Plan Program of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of Study on multi-source remote sensing monitoring and control of desertification in Hunshandak Sandy land [201605052](Ning Xiaoli), the funder had a role in study design; a Baotou teachers′college high-level personnel introduction of scientific research start-up fund project of study on benefit of wind and sand resistance of oasis protection system in arid area [BTTCRCQD2020-011](Xie Yunhu), the funder had a role in data collection and analysis. A Project of high-level scientific research achievements in natural science[BSYKJ2021-ZY02](Xie Yunhu), the funder had a role in decision to publish.