Carbon-based Materials for Sustainable Soil Salinity Management: Mechanisms, Modeling, and Applications in the Era of New Energy

Abstract

The study of soil water-salt transport mechanisms is of great significance for salinity control and sustainable agricultural development. In recent years, carbon-based materials (e.g., biochar, straw-derived charcoal) have significantly enhanced the water infiltration capacity and desalination efficiency of saline-alkali soils by improving soil physical structure, regulating salt ion adsorption, and enhancing microbial activity. The porous structure and surface functional groups of biochar promote water movement and immobilize salt ions such as Na⁺ and Cl_-, while straw mulching and incorporation reduce soil salinity risks by suppressing evaporation, optimizing pore structure, and driving microbial desalination processes. Meanwhile, the integration of numerical models (e.g., Green-Ampt, HYDRUS) with machine learning techniques has provided new tools for precise simulation of water-salt transport and optimization of carbon-based material application. This paper systematically reviews the mechanisms of water-salt transport regulation by carbon-based materials and advances in model applications, exploring their potential in sustainable agriculture and ecological restoration, thereby offering theoretical support for the resource utilization of saline-alkali soils in the era of new energy.