Spatial variation of soil structure stability in urban riparian zone from perspective of soil aggregates: a case study of River Tour Company in Wuhan, China

Zhou, Xinlong , Su, Qian , Xiao, Henglin , Hu, Kaimeng , Ma, Qiang , Zhang, Zhiyong

2026-05-01 ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2026   8(卷), 5(期), (null页)

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Urban riparian zone is the interactive area between human activities and natural processes. Erosion resistance ability of river bank slope considerably affects the prevention of urban flood disaster and aquatic ecosystem. However, due to complex water environment and urban activities, the spatial heterogeneity of riparian soil stability remains elusive. In this study, the spatial variation patterns of soil structure stability in urban riparian zone of River Tour Company in Wuhan, China was investigated from perspective of soil aggregates. First, three representative sites (Wutaizha, WTZ; Huoshui Park, HSP; Sanchakou, SCK) reflecting different urban activities were selected for sampling. Soil physicochemical properties at different spatial locations (sampling site, slope position, and soil depth) were measured and analyzed. Then, soil aggregate stability indices including mean weight diameter (MWD), geometric mean diameter (GMD), and erodibility factor (K) were calculated. At last, the spatial variation pattern of soil aggregate stability, as well as its influential factors in urban riparian zone were discussed. Results indicated that soil physiochemical properties varied significantly with spatial locations. As for mechanical composition, sand particles were dominant in all three sampling sites, and dropped along with rising elevation, especially in SCK. The content of soil organic carbon (SOC), ammonia nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK) decreased with increasing soil depth. Among them, the SOC showed WTZ > HSP > SCK, gradually declining along with the progressive river reaches. Soil aggregate stability indices also varied along river flow direction. Both MWD and GMD showed WTZ > HSP > SCK. The K was ranked as SCK > HSP > WTZ, and rose as elevation increased on slope surface. Redundancy analysis indicated that SOC and soil nutrients such as AN, AP, and AK were significantly positively correlated with MWD and GMD, but negatively correlated with K. They were the main factors controlling soil aggregate stability in riparian zone of River Tour Company.