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Chinese scientists turn sand into fertile soil
GBTIMES
2016/09/05
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn2.gbtimes.com%2Fcdn%2Ffarfuture%2FHbW__WTGjK14RTQLSlsHdtvbr8qVM_MslHbTGWtrjWQ%2Fmtime%3A1473062412%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2F768_wide%2Fpublic%2F2016%2F09%2F05%2Fchina-sand-soil-desertification.jpg%3Fitok%3DLZMnONsb&hash=24e3cf11dce670e7e07d1cd1df7aa871)
Desert land in Inner Mongolia, part of which has been converted from sand into soil by Chinese researchers. (Photo: Svdmolen/Wikimedia Creative Commons)
Chinese scientists have announced that they have successfully converted sand into fertile soil using a new method they believe could be used to reverse the effects of desertification.
The team, based in Chongqing Jiaotong University, have reportedly created a paste which, when added to sand, allows it to retain water, nutrients and air, China News Service reports.
The method has already been used to transform a 1.6-hectare plot of land in Ulan Buh Desert in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from desert to fertile land, harbouring rice, corn, tomatoes, watermelon and sunflowers.
According to the research team, which has been working on the project since 2013, the method costs between 22,500 yuan and 40,500 yuan (US$3,373 to US$6,071) per hectare.
Desertification is a growing problem in China, one which has hampered development in the country's northwestern regions.
A report last month by Sixth Tone claimed that Hongjian Nur, a lake which acts as a bird haven in Shaanxi Province, would likely dry up within the next decade.
http://gbtimes.com/china/chinese-scientists-turn-sand-fertile-soil
GBTIMES
2016/09/05
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn2.gbtimes.com%2Fcdn%2Ffarfuture%2FHbW__WTGjK14RTQLSlsHdtvbr8qVM_MslHbTGWtrjWQ%2Fmtime%3A1473062412%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2F768_wide%2Fpublic%2F2016%2F09%2F05%2Fchina-sand-soil-desertification.jpg%3Fitok%3DLZMnONsb&hash=24e3cf11dce670e7e07d1cd1df7aa871)
Desert land in Inner Mongolia, part of which has been converted from sand into soil by Chinese researchers. (Photo: Svdmolen/Wikimedia Creative Commons)
Chinese scientists have announced that they have successfully converted sand into fertile soil using a new method they believe could be used to reverse the effects of desertification.
The team, based in Chongqing Jiaotong University, have reportedly created a paste which, when added to sand, allows it to retain water, nutrients and air, China News Service reports.
The method has already been used to transform a 1.6-hectare plot of land in Ulan Buh Desert in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from desert to fertile land, harbouring rice, corn, tomatoes, watermelon and sunflowers.
According to the research team, which has been working on the project since 2013, the method costs between 22,500 yuan and 40,500 yuan (US$3,373 to US$6,071) per hectare.
Desertification is a growing problem in China, one which has hampered development in the country's northwestern regions.
A report last month by Sixth Tone claimed that Hongjian Nur, a lake which acts as a bird haven in Shaanxi Province, would likely dry up within the next decade.
http://gbtimes.com/china/chinese-scientists-turn-sand-fertile-soil