The control of sandstorms in Beijing, the encroachment of Inner Mongolian sand on cities, and the control of desertification and desertification are all global challenges. How to turn a desert into an oasis? On July 25, 2016, a group of capable people gathered in the conference room of Shanghai World Trade Network, including scientific and technological scholars, technical personnel from manufacturers, and major shareholders specializing in the research and production of high water absorption fibers, the CEO of a public fund company providing financial services to ensure production capacity, and professional marketing elites planning and promoting technology applications. They gathered in the conference room of Shanghai World Trade Network, Jointly explore how to use high water absorbing fibers to store water underground in the desert, in order to provide the water and nutrients needed by various plants and trees planted on the desert, and truly turn the desert into an oasis! This is a great project! A project that can be said to make extreme contributions to the world's humanity is a great cause that benefits all humanity! The official launch of the project of turning deserts into oases with high water absorption fibers is self-evident!

Superabsorbent fibers in the prevention and control of desertification

Report on afforestation application experiments

China Association for Sand Control and Sand Industry

December 2014

catalogue

1. Experimental background: one

Overview of Experimental Zone 2 two

2.1 Beijing Tianjin Wind and Sand Source Control Project Area (Dengkou County, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region) two

2.2 Tianjin Wind and Sand Source Control Project Area (Urad Houqi, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region) two

2.3 Stone desertification control project area (Du'an County, Hechi City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region) three

3 Test Materials and Methods three

3.1 Superabsorbent fibers

3.1.1 Product Introduction 3

3.1.2 Water absorption principle

3.1.3 Product Features 4

3.1.4 Main functions

3.2 Selection of Afforestation Tree Species 6

3.3 Material Preparation 6

3.4 Experimental Design and Methods 6

3.5 Afforestation Methods 7

4 Situation observation and photo collection eight

4.1 Photo Collection 8

4.2 Situation Observation 8

5 Experimental process and investigation situation eight

5.1 Convene a symposium and consultation meeting to sign an agreement eight

5.2 Selection of Inspection Points 9

5.3 Determine Implementation Plan 10

5.4 Afforestation Construction

5.4.1 Construction of afforestation in Du'an

5.4.2 Afforestation Construction in Sandy Areas

5.5 Inspection situation

5.5.1 Experimental investigation situation

5.5.2 Product inspection situation

6 Conclusion and Suggestions sixteen

6.1 Main Conclusion 16

6.2 Suggestions 16

1 Experimental background

China is one of the countries with the largest and most serious desertification and desertification areas in the world, and there are also 310000 square kilometers of land with obvious desertification trends, seriously affecting the production and life of nearly 400 million people. The total area of desertified land in the country is 2.6237 million square kilometers, accounting for 27.33% of the total land area. The area of desertified land is 1.7311 million square kilometers, accounting for about 18% of the total land area in the country. Among them, the area of desertified land that can be treated alone is 530000 square kilometers. The State Council successively approved and implemented the Outline of the Comprehensive Management Plan for Stone Desertification in Karst Areas (2006-2015) and the Regional Development and Poverty Alleviation Plan for the Yunnan Guangxi Guizhou Stone Desertification Area (2011-2020) in 2008 and 2012, indicating the country's emphasis and strength on the prevention and control of stone desertification. In addition, the National Desertification Prevention and Control Plan (2011-2020) approved by the State Council plans to complete the task of 20 million hectares of desertification control by 2020, and achieve effective control of more than half of the controllable desertification land in the country. The task of desertification control is very heavy. At the same time, due to drought and water scarcity, poor soil water retention, low afforestation survival rate, and difficulty in vegetation preservation in desertification areas, the prevention and control tasks are extremely difficult and complex. To accelerate the promotion of desertification control work and ensure the completion of planning tasks, we are required to pay more attention to the promotion and application of new technologies and products in desertification prevention and control. The super absorbent fibers produced by Nantong Jiangchao Fiber Products Co., Ltd. can quickly absorb and maintain moisture that is about 100 times heavier than itself, with high water absorption and retention properties, as well as non-toxic, biodegradable, and pollution-free environmental protection. The unique water retention and water release properties of super absorbent fibers, as well as their environmentally friendly characteristics, can be successfully applied in afforestation and vegetation restoration in desertification and rocky desertification areas, and their prospects will be very promising. However, it is necessary to conduct experimental demonstrations on how to use this new product in afforestation and what ecological and economic effects it will achieve. Therefore, this collaborative experiment will select two representative locations in Dengkou County, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Du'an County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, respectively, in the second phase of the national key ecological engineering - Beijing Tianjin sandstorm source control project. Through demonstration afforestation experiments, specific and practical methods and models will be provided for the application of this new product in afforestation.

Overview of Experimental Zone 2

2.1 Beijing Tianjin Wind and Sand Source Control Project Area (Dengkou County, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region)

Dengkou County, Inner Mongolia, is located between 106 ° 9 ′ -107 ° 10 ′ E longitude and 40 ° 9 ′ -40 ° 57 ′ N latitude. It borders Hangjinhou Banner to the northeast, Urad Banner to the northwest, Alxa League to the southwest, and Ordos City across the river to the southeast. The county is approximately 92 kilometers long from east to west and 65 kilometers wide from north to south, with a total area of 4167 square kilometers. The county has complex terrain and landforms, which can be roughly divided into four types: mountains, deserts, plains, and rivers. The highest altitude within the county is 2046 meters, and the lowest is 1030 meters. Located in an arid and semi-arid region, it belongs to a temperate continental monsoon climate. Its characteristics are cold and long winter, short spring and autumn, hot summer, low rainfall, sufficient sunlight, abundant heat, large temperature difference between day and night, high accumulated temperature, and short frost free period. The annual sunshine hours are over 3300 hours, and the frost free period is between 136-205 days. The average annual temperature is 7.6 ℃. The photosynthetic effective radiation during the plant growth period from May to September is 40.19 kcal/cm2. The accumulated temperature during the plant growth period is about 3100 ℃, and the temperature difference between day and night during the growth period is 14.5 ℃. The average annual rainfall is 148.6mm, and the average annual evaporation is 2397.6mm. This unique climate feature is conducive to the accumulation of dry matter sugars and is suitable for the growth of crops in the north.

2.2 Tianjin Wind and Sand Source Control Project Area (Urad Houqi, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region)

Urad Houqi is located in the northwest of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, with an east longitude of 107 ° 05'06 "and a north latitude of 41 ° 06'46". It is under the jurisdiction of Bayannur City and is one of the 19 ethnic minority border counties in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It borders Mongolia to the north and is 50 kilometers south of Linhe District, where Bayannur City is located. The total area is 25000 square kilometers, with a border length of 195.25 kilometers and a population of 61000 people. It is a border flag of a minority ethnic group, mainly composed of Mongolian and Han ethnic groups. The terrain and landforms of Wuhou Banner are complex. The Yinshan Mountains stretch across the southern part of the Qijing region, forming a watershed between the Hetao Plain and the northern plateau. The terrain of the entire flag can be divided into mountains, accounting for 15.1%, low mountains and hills, accounting for 10.3%, and sand and gravel Gobi Plateau, accounting for 52.9%; Dunes and Gobi sandy areas, accounting for 20.4%; The mountain front alluvial plain accounts for 1.3%. There are 6 large river channels within the territory. When there is heavy rain, mountain floods overflow, and when there is drought, they dry up to the bottom. The terrain of the entire flag is high in the south and low in the north, with an average altitude of over 1500 meters and a highest point of 2365 meters above sea level, making it the high-altitude and cold zone of this flag. Wuhou Banner is located in the temperate zone and has a plateau continental climate. The annual average temperature is 3.8 degrees Celsius, the average precipitation is 96-105.9 millimeters, the average frost free period is 130 days per year, and the average permafrost depth is 2.3 meters per year. The main characteristics of the climate are: cold and dry winter with more sandstorms, dry summer with less rainfall, strong sunlight, and high evaporation.

2.3 Stone desertification control project area (Du'an County, Hechi City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region)

Du'an County is located on the slope of the transition from the the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau to the Guangxi Basin, in the east of the Duyang Mountains. The terrain is high in the northwest and low in the southeast. The karst landforms within the county cover an area of approximately 3863.33 square kilometers, accounting for 94.34% of the total area. It is one of the most typical areas in China with developed karst landforms. Belonging to the South Asian tropical monsoon climate zone. The average annual temperature in the county is 19.6 ℃, and the average annual rainfall is over 1700 millimeters. The mountainous areas within the territory are mainly composed of limestone, while the hilly slopes are mainly composed of red soil.

3 Test materials and methods

3.1 Superabsorbent fibers

3.1.1 Product Introduction

Super absorbent fiber is jointly developed by Nantong Jiangchao Fiber Products Co., Ltd. and the China Academy of Textile Science (led by Dr. Sun Yushan), after 8 years of joint research and development, filling the domestic gap. It is a functional polymer material with particularly strong water absorption ability. It is non-toxic and harmless, repeatedly absorbing and releasing water, so people compare it to a "micro reservoir". At the same time, it can also absorb fertilizers, pesticides, and slowly release them, increasing fertilizer efficiency and efficacy. Superabsorbent fibers are widely used in agriculture, forestry, landscaping, and desert greening.

3.1.2 Water absorption principle

The principle of water absorption is similar to SAP (high water absorption resin), but due to its large surface area, it has excellent characteristics such as fast liquid absorption speed, high liquid absorption rate, strong liquid retention ability, repeated water absorption, water release, high temperature resistance, non-toxic, oil repellent, good shaping, soft products, and convenient use.

3.1.3 Product characteristics

1) Non toxic, safe and environmentally friendly, non-toxic and odorless, not polluting plants, soil and groundwater, fruit trees and flowers, afforestation, soilless cultivation, plant preservation and transportation, field crops, etc., without any residue.

2) Preserving moisture and saving water can effectively suppress water evaporation and prevent soil erosion. Even under irrigated conditions, it can still save more than 50% of water and save time and labor.

3) Improve soil structure. Improve sticky soil, sandy soil with leaking fertilizer, and secondary saline alkali soil. At the same time, promote soil microbial development and improve the turnover and utilization efficiency of soil organic matter.

4) Long service life. It combines the characteristics of various polymers and can repeatedly absorb water, expand, and release shrinkage.

5) Water absorption speed is fast. Generally, natural water is absorbed to saturation for 0.4 minutes, with a maximum speed of 3 seconds.

6) The utilization rate of water and fertilizer is high. The "small reservoirs" formed in the soil receive fertilization, irrigation (or rainfall), which reduces the leaching and loss of trace elements by one-third, protecting the environment; When there is another drought, the fibers that absorb enough water keep the surrounding soil moist to provide water for the plant roots. Even in desert areas and extreme arid climates, grass and trees can be planted.

7) Stable performance, even in extreme drought conditions, it will not reverse absorb plant water.

3.1.4 Main functions

1) Water retention: Superabsorbent fibers are insoluble in water, but can absorb water equivalent to hundreds of times their own weight, effectively suppressing water evaporation. After using super absorbent fibers in soil, water evaporation is greatly suppressed, the saturated water content of the soil is increased, the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil is reduced, and the rate of soil water release is slowed down, reducing the infiltration and loss of soil water, and achieving the goal of water retention. It can also stimulate the growth and development of crop roots, increase the length and number of roots, and maintain good growth under drought conditions.

2) Fertilizer retention: Because super absorbent fibers have the function of absorbing and retaining water, they can fix the nutrients needed for crop growth such as fertilizers and pesticides dissolved in water, reducing the leaching loss of soluble nutrients to a certain extent, achieving the effect of water and fertilizer conservation, and improving water and fertilizer utilization efficiency.

3) Improving soil structure: When applied to the soil, with the regular changes of water absorption expansion and water loss shrinkage, the surrounding soil can change from compact to loose, with larger pores, thereby improving the soil's permeability to a certain extent.

3.2 Selection of afforestation tree species

The main limiting factor for successful afforestation in sandy and rocky desertification areas is water scarcity, and the key to successful afforestation is the selection of suitable tree species according to local conditions. The unique properties of super absorbent fibers, such as water retention and water release, can effectively solve the problems of soil erosion in arid and rocky desertification areas. Therefore, this experiment needs to prioritize ecological benefits and economic benefits, fully utilize local economic tree species, and hope to promote economic development in the local area on the basis of environmental governance. Therefore, Dengkou County in Inner Mongolia chooses Haloxylon ammodendron afforestation, Urad Houqi chooses elm afforestation, and Du'an County in Hechi City, Guangxi chooses walnut afforestation.

3.3 Material preparation

(1) Plant materials: All seedlings are local tree species. The sand area is composed of Haloxylon ammodendron and elm trees, while the rocky desertification area is composed of walnuts.

(2) Experimental materials: mainly composed of super absorbent fiber (SAF1 #) and super absorbent fiber non-woven fabric (SAF1 # non-woven fabric, with a content of 200g).

(3) Test tools: Vernier caliper, tape measure, aluminum box, label, paint, electronic scale

3.4 Experimental design and methods

Experimental design includes two materials, five methods, 13 treatments, and one control. Namely: Super absorbent fiber and soil layer bedding (set 5 concentrations, namely 1kg, 0.5kg, 0.25kg, 0.1kg, 0.05kg), Super absorbent fiber wrapping seedlings with bare roots (set 5 gradients, namely 1kg, 0.5kg, 0.25kg, 0.1kg, 0.05kg); Superabsorbent fiber non-woven fabric bottom paving, whole pit paving, and surface flat and blank control. For the sake of objectivity in the experiment, four replicates were set up, each with 14 communities (the area of each community is set according to local conditions), each community is a treatment, and other factors in each treatment are at the same level.

Experimental design table for the application of super absorbent fibers in desertification prevention and afforestation

handle	Afforestation methods	Usage (per pit)	notes
Superabsorbent fiber (kg)	Laying a layer of insulation with the soil layer	1	The dosage can be adjusted appropriately according to different regions and tree species
		0.5
		0.25
		0.1
		0.05
	Bare root wrapping	1
		0.5
		0.25
		0.1
		0.05
	Blank control
Super absorbent fiber non-woven fabric (m ²)	Bottom layer bedding	0.64
	Whole pit paving	3.2
	Blank control

 

　　

　　

3.5 Afforestation methods

Dengkou County chooses Haloxylon ammodendron afforestation based on plant row spacing (2) × 4) - (2) × 3) Planting seedlings, afforestation density 80-100 plants/acre; Ulat Houqi selects elm trees for afforestation according to the spacing between plants and rows (3) × 4) - (3) × 3) Planting seedlings, afforestation density 56-76 plants/mu; The rocky desertification area in Du'an County has a special terrain, and afforestation is arranged according to the specific situation, with a general afforestation density of 10-12 plants/hm2.

4 Situation observation and photo collection

4.1 Photo collection

Regularly or irregularly take photos of situations under different treatment conditions, including construction photos, comparison photos of growth conditions, etc.

4.2 Situation observation

During the experiment, relevant experts and personnel from the local forestry bureau were invited to investigate and observe the experimental situation.

5 Experimental process and investigation situation

5.1 Convene a symposium and consultation meeting to sign an agreement

Through multiple discussions and negotiations, the China Association for Sand Control and Industry reached a consensus on the experiment. On February 17th, an expert consultation symposium on the application of super absorbent fibers in afforestation was held in Beijing. The association also signed a cooperation agreement with Nantong Jiangchao Fiber Products Co., Ltd. on the application of super absorbent fibers in desertification prevention and afforestation experiments. On February 20, 2014, China Green Times conducted a news report on "Super absorbent fibers will help the sand industry.". More than 10 domestic media websites, such as China Forestry Network, China Forestry News Network, and Sina Finance, have reprinted and reported on it.

5.2 Site selection for inspection

Before the project implementation, in order to conscientiously carry out the experiment. In late February 2014, the society first went to Hechi and other places in Guangxi for investigation and discussion, and finally chose Du'an Yao Autonomous County, a key county for comprehensive control of rocky desertification, for the application of super absorbent fibers in afforestation in rocky desertification areas; In early April 2014, the Society went to Bayannur City, Mongolia Autonomous Region to conduct an investigation on the application of new materials for sand control and afforestation. Finally, Dengkou County and Urad Houqi in the Beijing Tianjin Wind and Sand Source Project area were selected for the experiment.

5.3 Determine Implementation Plan

After determining the experimental site, the society actively and carefully prepared the initial draft of the experimental plan based on the investigation situation. Later, under the guidance and modification of relevant professors and senior engineers from the China Academy of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, and Nantong Jiangchao Fiber Products Co., Ltd., the experimental plan was improved.

5.4 Afforestation construction

5.4.1 Du'an afforestation construction

In mid March, the Society organized an expert group and personnel from Jiangsu Nantong Jiangchao Fiber Products Co., Ltd., with strong support from the Forestry Bureau of Du'an County, completed the afforestation construction work. The experiment selected a afforestation tree species that balances ecological and economic benefits - walnut, and conducted afforestation application experiments using two materials, super absorbent fiber and super absorbent fiber non-woven fabric, in different ways and gradients. The aim is to find an economical and practical application method for super absorbent fiber afforestation in rocky desertification areas. The total area of this experiment is about 30 acres.

5.4.2 Afforestation construction in sandy areas

In mid April 2014, the society carried out sand control and afforestation construction operations in Dengkou County, Bayannur City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Urad Houqi. The Society organized experts and personnel from Jiangsu Nantong Jiangchao Fiber Products Co., Ltd. to guide the field construction operation of the super absorbent fiber sand control afforestation experiment. This experiment is combined with the Ulanbuhe Desert Edge Treatment Project and the Gobi Desert Afforestation Task. The experiment selected suitable tree species such as Haloxylon ammodendron, elm, willow, and poplar, and used super absorbent fibers with different gradients and methods for sand control and afforestation.

5.5 Inspection situation

5.5.1 Experimental investigation situation

After a growing season experiment, in mid August 2014, relevant personnel from the Society, Jiangchao Fiber Products Co., Ltd., and local forestry bureau inspected the test site. The investigation found that in sandy areas, even with less watering than the blank control group and no watering for a month, the sand around the super absorbent fiber still maintains a certain humidity, resulting in a higher survival rate of vegetation and good growth. In sandy areas, the use of 0.05kg of Haloxylon ammodendron afforestation can basically achieve water retention, while the use of super absorbent fibers in elm afforestation is slightly larger, with 0.25kg having a certain water retention effect; Due to sufficient rainfall in rocky desertification areas, using 0.05kg of super absorbent fiber per seedling can achieve water retention. However, excessive use can lead to excessive water interception and root soaking. In addition, in the experiment, the root system of the super absorbent fiber non-woven fabric can penetrate and grow normally, and it also plays a certain role in water retention. This indicates that super absorbent fibers have certain water retention and release properties. In afforestation, their dosage is reasonable and the method is appropriate, which can reduce the number of watering appropriately and achieve the effect of saving labor and water.

5.5.2 Product inspection situation

In late November 2014, the society organized experts to inspect the production situation of super absorbent fiber products of Nantong Jiangchao Fiber Products Co., Ltd. and summarized the experiments conducted this year in the rocky desertification areas of Du'an, Guangxi, the Ulanbuhe Desert in Dengkou, Inner Mongolia, and the desertified areas of Urad Houqi. The expert group unanimously agreed that super absorbent fibers have superior water retention and release properties. Upon investigation, it was found that based on expert suggestions and experimental results, Nantong Jiangchao Fiber Products Co., Ltd. has made improvements to its products during this year by developing super absorbent fiber planter bags. Experts believe that this product has better application prospects.

6 Conclusion and Suggestions

6.1 Main Conclusion

1. Superabsorbent fibers are produced from acrylic chemical raw materials and can be safely used in medical and health applications through testing, making them environmentally friendly for soil, vegetation, and the environment.

2. Super absorbent fibers have good water absorption and retention properties. Using super absorbent fibers for afforestation in desertification areas can improve vegetation survival rate and reduce watering frequency.

3. Super absorbent fibers have good application prospects through improved super absorbent fiber beauty bags.

6.2 Suggestions

It is recommended to further develop new products based on different market demands and actual conditions of different terrains, landforms, vegetation, etc., such as ecological mats or nutritional beauty plant bags.

Source: Shanghai World Trade Network Author: The melodious sound of the flute

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