The Effect of Soil Organic Matter, Electrical Conductivity and Acidity on the Soil's Carbon Sequestration Ability Via Two Species of Tamarisk ( Tamarix Spp.)

Carbon sequestration constitutes a part of the carbon cycle. It is a term used for describing carbon exchange with the environment. This study was conducted to evaluate how soil organic matter and other related parameters affect carbon sequestration in the soil via the presence of two plants Tamarix aphylla and Tamarix kotschyi. Two ranges of depth (0-15 and 15-30 cm) were studied in the soil. This study was carried out in two separate factorial experiments using a randomized complete design (RCD) with three replications, in a semiarid environment throughout the year 2015. The results showed that the soil which hosted Tamarix kotschyi had a higher level of acidity, and higher saturation percentage, carbon in its organic form and organic matter. Furthermore, the depth ranges of 0-15 cm in the soil had higher percentages of organic carbon, organic matter and carbon sequestration. However, the 0-15 cm range of depth had a lower percentage of moisture compared to the 15-30 cm range of depth. Correlation coefficients revealed that the percentages of acidity and organic matter could be considered as essential parameters when determining carbon sequestration. Generally, it was concluded that T. kotschyi contributed to the most substantial level of carbon sequestration at the depth range of 0-15 cm in the soil (P <= 0.01). (c) 2019 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38: e13230, 2019