Abstract Sodium-affected soils occur predominantly in arid and semi-arid regions. Sodification and solodization are the two main pedogenetic processes in the formation and evolution of these types of soils, in the landscape. In this study, we used soil morphological, physical, and hydraulic analyses to test the hypothesis that sodification and solodization are natural processes of soil degradation, constituting a form of regressive pedogenesis. Sodium-affected Solonetz, Vertisol, and Planosol profiles were sampled and subjected to morphological, physical, and hydraulic analyses. Under the influence of sodification, Solonetz and Planosol showed signs of regressive pedogenesis, including the formation of a surface horizon with sandy texture, weak structure, reduced available water capacity, and evident characteristics of natural erosion. The morphological, physical, and hydraulic properties of Vertisol were not influenced by sodification. Solodization (sodium leaching and topsoil acidification) had a positive effect on the structural characteristics of Planosol, increasing the degree of flocculation (55–100%); thus, solodization was not associated with natural degradation. Sodification and solodization are antagonistic processes. Whereas sodification can be regarded as a form of regressive pedogenesis leading to natural degradation of sodium-affected soils, solodization is a progressive process of profile evolution. Degradation is a natural phenomenon caused by regressive evolution factors during the formation of Solonetz and Planosol profiles. Our results may guide the development of land management strategies for sodium-affected soils in semi-arid regions according to their use capability.

中文翻译：

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土壤化和土壤化过程：成土作用还是自然土壤退化？

摘要 受钠影响的土壤主要发生在干旱和半干旱地区。在景观中，这些类型土壤的形成和演化过程中，土壤化和固着化是两个主要的成土过程。在这项研究中，我们使用土壤形态学、物理和水力分析来检验以下假设：碱化和固化是土壤退化的自然过程，构成了一种回归成土形式。对受钠影响的 Solonetz、Vertisol 和 Planosol 剖面进行采样并进行形态、物理和水力分析。在盐化作用下，Solonetz 和 Planosol 显示出退化成土的迹象，包括形成具有砂质质地、结构薄弱、可用水容量减少、自然侵蚀特征明显的地层。Vertisol 的形态、物理和水力特性不受钠化作用的影响。溶化（钠浸出和表土酸化）对 Planosol 的结构特性有积极影响，增加了絮凝程度（55-100%）；因此，个体化与自然退化无关。钠化和固化是对立的过程。碱化可被视为导致受钠影响土壤自然降解的退化成土作用的一种形式，而土壤化则是剖面演化的渐进过程。退化是在 Solonetz 和 Planosol 剖面形成过程中由回归演化因素引起的一种自然现象。