Distribution Characteristics and Relationship Between Soil Salinity and Soil Particle Size in Ebinur Lake Wetland, Xinjiang

A comprehensive understanding of soil salinity characteristics and the vertical and spatial distribution of particle sizes in lakes and wetlands within arid zones, as well as elucidating their interrelationship, is crucial for effective wetland soil salinization management. In this study, the typical salinized wetland, the Ebinur Lake wetland, was selected as the research object. A total of 50 sampling points were established along the edge of Ebinur Lake, resulting in the collection of 200 soil samples from depths of 0–60 cm. The particle size distribution (PSD) of the soil samples was obtained by laser particle sizer, and the fractal dimension of the soil structure was deduced by applying fractal theory. The soluble salt content (TSS) and salt ions content were measured by laboratory physicochemical experiments. Finally, Pearson correlation and other methods were used to explore the relationship between soil salinity and soil particle size. The results showed the following: (1) Soil salinization in the study area was severe, and the accumulation of surface salts was obvious, with a mean value of 46,410 mg/kg. The spatial distribution of TSS was predominantly influenced by Cl − , SO 4 2− , Na + + K + , Mg 2+ , and Ca 2+ . (2) Across various soil depths, silt and sand were the primary constituents, with soil fractal dimensions (D soil ) ranging from 1.91 to 2.76, averaging 2.54, and a poor soil textural structure. The spatial distribution of D soil closely mirrored that of TSS. (3) According to the correlation analysis results, as TSS increased, D soil continued to rise, with an increasing content of clay, while the sand content decreased. Simultaneously, as the soil particles became finer, TSS and D soil also increased, suggesting that sandy loam to silty soils in the study area were more prone to salt accumulation.