Spatial distribution of saline (salinization) frozen soil in the Qinghai-Tibet Engineering Corridor

In order to study the spatial distribution characteristics of saline (salinization) frozen soil along the Qinghai-Tibet Engineering Corridor (QTEC), the area was divided into 7 sections. Soil samples were collected from a depth of within 35 m and their soluble salts were tested. The results showed that the saline (salinization) frozen soil was generally alkaline, with a pH level being generally evenly distributed along the QTEC. The degree of salinity of the soil samples showed characteristics of “surface-poly type” and “bottom-poly type” in the layer, and the salinity showed a trend of higher in the north and lower in the south along the QTEC. All the 5 kinds of salinization components were distributed along the QTEC contained, among which sulfate salt was distributed the most widely, accounting for 53.21%. The saline (salinization) frozen soil was scatteredly distributed all along the QTEC and mainly concentrated in the north. From north to south, the degree of salinization decreased. The soil at different soil layers was subject to different extents of salinization induced hazards; the saline soil samples from shallow layer and deep accounted for 40.37% and 46.48% of the entire samples, respectively. The results could provide reference for the prevention, treatment of salinization soil induced hazards and rational utilization of soil salinization in the QTEC.