Soil carbon dioxide dynamics in deep profiles under erosional and depositional conditions on the Chinese Loess Plateau

Seasonal variations in CO₂ flux are consistent across erosion environments. Correlation analysis indicates that at erosional sites, CO₂ flux is strongly correlated with soil temperature, SOC, SIC, and pH, while at depositional sites, it is more strongly correlated with soil temperature and moisture content. These findings highlight differing environmental controls on CO₂ flux between erosion and deposition sites.

Additionally, δ¹³C values of CO₂ emissions were more negative at erosion sites, reflecting a higher contribution from SOC, while at deposition sites, the values were less negative, indicating a stronger influence of SIC, especially in deeper soil layers. The study emphasizes that SOC and SIC play crucial roles in influencing soil CO₂ flux, with the dynamics of carbon redistribution under erosion processes significantly affecting carbon cycling and storage.

These results underline the need for site-specific land management strategies to mitigate soil carbon loss and enhance soil health in erosion-prone areas.