Data on "Warming and salinity jointly affected soil aggregate stability and aggregate-associated carbon and nitrogen in semiarid irrigated soil"

We include all soil data used in the article: Electrical conductivity Soil organic carbon total nitrogen Soil organic carbon in the aggregate fraction > 2 mm Soil organic carbon in the aggregate fraction 0.25-2 mm Soil organic carbon in the aggregate fraction 0.053-0.25 mm Soil organic carbon in the aggregate fraction <0.053 mm Total nitrogen in the aggregate fraction > 2 mm Total nitrogen in the aggregate fraction 0.25-2 mm Total nitrogen in the aggregate fraction 0.053-0.25 mm Total nitrogen in the aggregate fraction <0.053 mm Carbonates Soluble Chloride Soluble Nitrates Soluble Ammonium Soluble Sulfates Soluble Sodium Soluble Potassium Soluble Calcium Soluble Magnesium Soluble Fluoride Carbon dioxide emission Nitrous oxide emission Mean weight diameter Geometric mean diameter Carbon preservation capacity Particulate organic carbon Mineral-associated organic carbon Soluble carbon Soluble nitrogen Aggregate fraction > 2 mm Aggregate fraction 0.25-2 mm Aggregate fraction 0.053-0.25 mm Aggregate fraction < 0.053 mm Carbon preservation capacity in the aggregate fraction > 2 mm Carbon preservation capacity in the aggregate fraction 0.25-2 mm Carbon preservation capacity in the aggregate fraction 0.053-0.25 mm Carbon preservation capacity in the aggregate fraction <0.053 mm Soil organic carbon to total nitrogen ratio of the aggregate fraction > 2 mm Soil organic carbon to total nitrogen ratio of the aggregate fraction 0.25-2 mm Soil organic carbon to total nitrogen ratio of the aggregate fraction 0.053-0.25 mm Soil organic carbon to total nitrogen ratio of the aggregate fraction <0.053 mm This study investigated how warming and salinity affected soil aggregate stability and the distribution of SOC and TN across aggregate size fractions during a 90-day incubation. We employed a 2x3 factorial design comparing current (19 °C) and a projected temperature of IPCC scenario 2030-2050 (+2°C, 21°C) across three salinity levels in irrigation water (electrical conductivity of 1 mS cm-1, 5 mS cm-1, and 10 mS cm-1). Results showed that increasing temperature, with slight effect of salinity, led to a loss of large macroaggregates (>2 mm), with higher proportion of macroaggregate particles of 0.25-2 mm. Changes in mean weight diameter (MWD) and geometric mean diameter (GMD) of aggregates were marginally significant under salinity stress. Aggregate-associated SOC content was higher at 21 ºC. Microaggregates (<0.25 mm) showed significantly higher carbon preservation capacity (CPC) than macroaggregates in all conditions. Temperature significantly influenced TN distribution between aggregate fractions, with highest increases at high salinity level at 21 ºC, suggesting that warming alters N cycling through both stabilization and mineralization processes. Labile organic C fractions were the strongest drivers of CPC and highlighted synergistic effects between salinity and temperature on aggregate stability. Overall, the results demonstrate that soil structure and C–N stabilization are sensitive to rising salinity and temperature. Our findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms linking aggregate dynamics, C-N stabilization, and environmental stressors, improving the understanding of soil resilience and C persistence under future climate and salinity scenarios.