Climate Change and Soil Salinization: Challenges for Environmental and Engineering Resilience

Soil salinization presents significant global environmental and socio-economic challenges, causing a range of negative environmental impacts, due to the intensification of climate change. Covering an estimated total area of 8.31 and 11.73 million km2, saline soils threatened land desertification, soil fertility, carbon sequestration capacity of soils, and durability and stability of engineering structures. Saline soils are widely distributed in the arid and semi-arid regions of the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in seasonal permafrost zones, where the frequent occurrence of extreme weather events has exacerbated the salinization problem. Therefore, in-depth exploration of the soil salinization process under climate change, and its impact on environmental sustainability and engineering performance, has become a key issue for soil salinization management and remediation.

The research topic aims to advance knowledge on the processes and impacts of soil salinization under climate change. The specific objectives include unveiling the driving mechanisms of water-salt migration and frost heave in saline soils under extreme climatic conditions, exploring the impact of different climate scenarios on the salinization process, and developing a multi-physical field coupling model for saline soils to accurately predict deformation and deterioration during engineering service. Additionally, the topic will evaluating the long-term impact of salinized soils on environmental sustainability and engineering infrastructure and proposing effective remediation and management strategies. It also aims to provide ecological restoration solutions for saline soil in cold regions and optimize engineering designs to improve the durability and stability of infrastructure.

We particularly encourage contributions that investigate the mechanisms driving water and salt migration in saline soils, with a focus on the influence of extreme weather events and permafrost conditions. We also welcome research that develops and refines multi-physical field coupling models to predict the behavior and deterioration of saline soils in engineering applications. Additionally, research that explores the effects of soil salinization on soil fertility, carbon sequestration capacity, and infrastructure durability in cold regions is encouraged. Proposals and evaluations for mitigation strategies to manage soil salinization and examinations of the role of freeze/thaw cycles in the transport of solutes and contaminants in saline soils are highly valued. Papers submitted on other topics within the general discipline are also encouraged.

Topics of interest for this research topic include, but are not limited to:
• Mechanisms of water-salt migration in saline soils under extreme climatic conditions
• Modeling and prediction of saline soil behavior in engineering contexts
• Impact of soil salinization on soil fertility, carbon sequestration, and environmental sustainability
• Evaluation of mitigation techniques for soil salinization and infrastructure protection
• Impact of freeze/thaw cycles on solute and contaminant transport in saline soils
• Long-term effects of soil salinization on the durability and stability of infrastructure in saline soil areas