Sand and dust storms control for sustainable anti-desertification: large-scale EICP-PVAc treatment field demonstration and insights

Abstract

Sand and dust storms (SDS) have gained global recognition as severe natural disasters and are emerging as a significant public health concern. However, the current methods for SDS control have imitations in wide applications, necessitating the urgent need for effective alternatives. This study investigated the feasibility of integrating enzymatically induced carbonate precipitation-polyvinyl acetate (EICP-PVAc) treatment with traditional engineering devices (e.g., straw checkerboard barriers and sand control belts) to mitigate SDS through a large-scale field experiment. Four different treated zones were established and three different treatment states [spraying on a day without rainfall (SWR), spraying after rainfall, and spraying before rainfall ] were designed to compare treatment effects. Soil characteristics including pH, organic carbon, and NH₃–N contents were measured in the treated areas, and environmental implications of the EICP-PVAc treatment were discussed. Results show that the EICP-PVAc treatment effectively ensured long-term wind-erosion resistance of field areas, irrespective of different zones and treatment states, thereby addressing the limitation of traditional methods in stabilizing shifting sands. Upon comparison, SWR treatments exhibited superior efficacy in controlling field SDS. Furthermore, the EICP-PVAc treatment increased organic carbon and NH₃–N contents in the treated areas. In addition, by combining EICP-PVAc treatment with vegetation protection measures, challenges such as low plant survival rate and the generation of contaminant by-products can be effectively mitigated, showcasing promising application potential. The study contributes to the potential application of EICP-PVAc treatment for SDS control to achieve long-term sustainability in anti-desertification and ecosystem function restoration.