Trends and priorities in soil inorganic carbon research in arid and semi-arid ecosystems

Trends and priorities in soil inorganic carbon research in arid and semi-arid ecosystems | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Systematic Review Trends and priorities in soil inorganic carbon research in arid and semi-arid ecosystems Sharat Kothari, Atahar Pervez, Sachin Sharma, Manorath Sen, Mukesh Kumar, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7864896/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 11 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Soil inorganic carbon (SIC) forms a major part of the global soil carbon pool, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where it often exceeds soil organic carbon (SOC). Despite this importance, SIC has received far less attention in global carbon research. To address this gap, we carried out a bibliometric analysis of 470 publications from 1975 to 2025, focusing on SIC research in semi-arid and arid ecosystems. The results show steady growth in publications, with a marked rise after 2000, and reveal a shift in emphasis from paleoenvironmental and pedogenic studies to applied topics such as carbon sequestration, land management, and climate change. The analysis highlights a strong dominance of Chinese institutions, while research from Africa, South America, and Central Asia remains limited. Network mapping identified clusters related to applied carbon management, paleopedology, soil processes, and isotopic studies, showing both diversification and integration across disciplines. However, the lack of standardized methods continues to limit comparability among studies, and SIC remains largely absent from international carbon policy frameworks. Our findings point to the need for broader geographic coverage, harmonized methodologies, and closer integration of SIC into climate policy and carbon accounting systems. Bibliometrics pedogenic carbonate soil carbon sequestration soil inorganic carbon Scopus Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 10 Figure 11 Figure 12 Figure 13 Highlights • Conducted a bibliometric analysis of soil inorganic carbon (SIC) research in arid ecosystems (1977–2025). • Examined 470 Scopus publications using Bibliometrix and VOSviewer. • Found a shift from paleoenvironmental studies to applied carbon management and climate mitigation. • Used trend, keyword, and thematic evolution analyses. • Identified geographic bias with Chinese dominance and gaps in other drylands. • Stressed the need for standardized methods and SIC integration into global carbon policies. 1. Introduction Soil inorganic carbon (SIC), comprising pedogenic and lithogenic carbonates, is an essential yet historically overlooked component of the global carbon cycle, particularly in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. In these drylands, SIC can constitute up to 90% of total soil carbon, often surpassing soil organic carbon (SOC) in both quantity and stability. Despite this dominance, global carbon research and climate policy frameworks have traditionally emphasized the SOC pool, creating a substantial knowledge gap regarding the dynamics and vulnerability of SIC [ 1 , 2 ]. The magnitude of this blind spot is significant. Globally, soils store approximately 2200 Pg of carbon in the top meter, with an estimated 1500 Pg as SOC and 700 Pg as SIC. When considered to a depth of 2 meters, the contributions of these two pools become nearly similar [ 3 , 4 ]. SIC, mainly composed of carbonates and bicarbonates of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium, has been regarded as relatively inert [ 5 ]. This historical neglect of SIC is largely rooted in the perception that carbonates are geologically stable and inert, unlike the biologically active SOC pool. This assumption has limited exploration of its role in carbon fluxes, even though SIC constitutes roughly 35% of global soil carbon stocks [ 4 ]. In arid environments, it is the dominant pool, and 20–60% of CO₂ emissions may originate from inorganic sources [ 6 ]. Moreover, anthropogenic disturbances can shorten SIC residence times dramatically from millennia to decades thereby intensifying its contribution to atmospheric CO₂ [ 7 ]. In recent years, attention to SIC has re-emerged in the context of carbon sequestration, dryland degradation, and sustainable land management [ 8 , 1 ]. However, the research landscape remains fragmented. Knowledge gaps persist regarding geographic representation, thematic evolution, and methodological approaches. Unlike SOC, where bibliometric assessments have provided valuable insights, limited synthesis exists for SIC to trace global patterns, research gaps, and emerging priorities [ 9 , 10 ]. This study seeks to address that gap by conducting a bibliometric analysis of SIC research published between 1975 and 2025. The objectives are to: (i) quantify publication trends over time, (ii) identify leading authors, institutions, and collaborations, (iii) map thematic evolution and keyword networks, and (iv) highlight priorities for advancing SIC research in drylands. By synthesizing nearly five decades of scientific output, this analysis provides a global overview of SIC research, offering direction for more balanced integration of inorganic carbon into soil science, carbon cycle studies, and climate policy. 2. Materials and Methods 2.1. Data Retrieval Databases such as Web of Science, Pubmed and Scopus facilitate the bibliometric studies. Each databases have their own advantages and limitations. Among these Web of Science and Scopus data bases are widely used for literature searches [ 11 ]. Scopus was selected for this study due to its extensive coverage of peer-reviewed literature in the environmental and agricultural sciences, which is particularly relevant for soil carbon research [ 12 ]. Furthermore, Scopus provides robust export functionalities essential for bibliometric analysis. So only the Scopus indexed papers were used for the present study. A structured query was executed in the Scopus database on 8th September 2025 to identify articles related to SIC in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. In this study, abstracts, article titles, and author keywords related data were collected and analysed. The search strategy used Boolean logic operators to include relevant terms such as “soil inorganic carbon,” “pedogenic carbonate,” “calcic horizon,” and “carbonate accumulation,” and to exclude irrelevant document types. The search term included : TITLE-ABS-KEY ( ( "soil inorganic carbon" OR "pedogenic carbonate" OR "soil carbonate" OR "calcic horizon" OR "secondary carbonate" OR "carbonate accumulation" ) AND ( soil ) AND ( arid OR semiarid OR "semi-arid" OR dryland OR desert ) ). Only peer-reviewed articles published in English between 1975 and 2025 were included. Scopus's built-in filters were used to limit results to relevant subject areas (Earth and Planetary Sciences, Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Environmental Science, Multidisciplinary), final publication stages, journal sources, and the English language. This step refined the dataset to 532 publications. Further The titles of these 532 records were manually evaluated for thematic relevance to SIC dynamics in drylands. Studies focused on unrelated topics (e.g., engineering properties, planetary geology, medical applications) were excluded. This process resulted in a final corpus of 470 publications for analysis. The entire retrieval and screening protocol is summarized in a PRISMA flow diagram (Fig. 1 ). The final dataset, including bibliographic information, was exported in .csv format for subsequent analysis. 2.2. Data Processing and Analysis Bibliometric analysis was performed using the Bibliometrix R package (v4.4.1) and its Biblioshiny web interface [ 13 ]. Key indicators analysed included annual growth rate, document and citation counts, co-authorship, author productivity, and keyword trends. For this, metrics like total citations per year (TCpY), PageRank, and betweenness centrality were studied. VOSviewer (version 1.6.20) was used to visualize keyword co-occurrence and thematic clusters. All figures were exported in high-resolution formats to ensure clarity. The main characteristics of the bibliographic dataset are summarized in Table 1 . 3. Results 3.1. Growth Trends in Publication Figure 2 depicts the substantial growth of scientific interest in SIC research over the past five decades. Annual research publication output remained low which was fewer than five articles per year until the 1990s. It was followed by a period of slow but consistent growth throughout the 1990s and 2000s, averaging about 6–11 articles/year. A marked increase occurred in 2007 (20 articles), with subsequent peaks observed in 2016 (n = 27), 2020 (n = 29), and 2023 (n = 28). This trend aligns with growing global attention to carbon cycling and dryland degradation. The field's high annual growth rate of 6.55% and a high average citation rate of 47.51 citations per document indicate both rapidly expanding interest and significant academic impact. Table 1 Summary of main characteristics of the bibliometric dataset, including timespan, sources, number of documents and citation metrics. Description Results Timespan 1975:2025 Sources (Journals, Books, etc) 156 Documents 470 Annual Growth Rate % 6.55 Document Average Age 14.1 Average citations per doc 47.51 References 24468 DOCUMENT CONTENTS Keywords Plus (ID) 2645 Author's Keywords (DE) 1171 AUTHORS Authors 1551 Authors of single-authored docs 43 AUTHORS COLLABORATION Single-authored docs 55 Co-Authors per Doc 4.52 International co-authorships % 29.36 3.2. Influential Authors, Institutions and sources Out of 1551 contributing authors, Wang X emerged as the leading author (Fig. 3 ), with 12 publications addressing SIC in relation to fertilization, salinity, and land use. Notably his 2015 publications have 372 citations, with a TCpY of 33.82. Wang Y contributed to SIC variability across agroclimatic zones and afforestation regimes, often in collaboration with Wang X. Quade J and Amundson R also made foundational contributions in paleosol studies. At an institutional level, Chinese organizations dominated the research output (Fig. 4 ). The most dominant institutes were Lanzhou University (52 articles), Northwest A&F University (42), Beijing Normal University (38), and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (30). The most active institutions outside China were the Universidad Pública de Navarra (Spain) and the University of California (USA). The three-field plot diagram (Fig. 5 ), displaying the relationships between authors, keywords and sources in inorganic carbon research is given in Fig. 10 . The diagram shows important components using colored rectangles where each rectangle's height reflects the number of links it contains; larger rectangles denote stronger associations. The central node of the plot confirms “soil inorganic carbon,” “pedogenic carbonate,” and “paleosols” as the core focus areas of most authors. Catena and Geoderma are the most prominent outlets, regularly publishing work on soil inorganic carbon, carbonate processes, and soil genesis. Also Quaternary International, Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecologyin soil, and Geology are key platforms for studies involving paleosols and paleoclimate reconstruction. 3.3 Keywords frequency A tree map of the most frequently used author keywords (Fig. 6 ) reveals the core themes of SIC research. The high frequency of "China" (f = 98) and "soils" (f = 98) indicates a strong geographical and disciplinary focus. Keywords directly related to carbon dynamics were seen predominant, including "pedogenesis" (95), "soil carbon" (90), "carbonate" (89), "inorganic carbon" (86), "organic carbon" (79), and "carbon sequestration" (77). A significant paleoenvironmental research dimension was indicated by the prominence of "paleosol" (82), "paleoclimate" (59), and "paleoenvironment" (39) keywords, highlighting the use of soil carbonates as proxies for reconstructing past climates. This is further supported by the frequent use of methodological terms such as "carbon isotope" (42) and "stable isotope" (35). The strong environmental context of the research is evidenced by terms like "semiarid region" (64), "arid region" (62), "desert" (27), and "grassland" (20). The frequent occurrence of terms such as "climate change" (51) and "carbon dioxide" (69) signifies the increasing linkage of SIC studies to global climate change science. 3.4. Keyword Co-Occurrence and Thematic Clusters The keyword co-occurrence analysis revealed four dominant thematic clusters in the SIC research corpus (Fig. 7 ). Cluster 1 (Applied Carbon Management) is anchored by terms such as soil inorganic carbon , soil carbon , soil organic matter , carbon storage . This cluster highlights contemporary, application-oriented studies linking SIC to carbon accounting, sequestration, land management, and climate change mitigation. Cluster 2 (Paleoenvironmental and Pedogenic Research) encompasses keywords like paleosol , paleoclimate , pedogenesis , and calcretes . These represent foundational investigations into long-term carbon stabilization mechanisms and geological reconstructions. Cluster 3 (Soil Processes and Properties) is characterized by general terms such as soils, soil chemistry, soil moisture, and soil water. This cluster functions as a conceptual bridge, connecting paleoenvironmental studies with applied research on current soil functioning. While, cluster 4 (Isotopic and Spatial Studies) includes carbon isotope, isotopic composition, Eurasia, and North America. These reflect methodological and regional approaches used to trace SIC dynamics across temporal and spatial scales. Network metrics quantified the importance of key terms. The node "soils" exhibited the highest betweenness centrality (53.52) , indicating its critical role in connecting different thematic clusters. The keyword "China" also showed high betweenness centrality (16.59) and PageRank (0.033) , confirming its role not just as a location but as a central conceptual hub within the network. The term "carbon dioxide" (betweenness: 9.28) served as a key bridge, connecting the paleoenvironmental cluster with the modern carbon management cluster. 3.4. Thematic Evolution and Emerging Topics The trend topics analysis (Fig. 8 ) highlight the shifting prominence of research keywords in SIC studies from 1977 to 2025. Earlier decades emphasized descriptive and geological terms such as “calcareous soils,” “holocene,” and “paleosols,” reflecting a geoscience-oriented foundation. From the early 2000s, terms like “pedogenesis,” “soil carbonate,” and “micromorphology” gained visibility, underscoring the consolidation of pedogenic and paleoclimatic research. Post-2010, climate-linked and management-related terms like “carbon sequestration,” “soil respiration,” “climate change,” and “organic carbon” emerged strongly, indicating a shift toward ecosystem services and applied carbon research. The most recent years (2020–2025) show the rising frequency of terms like “digital soil mapping,” “inorganic carbon,” and “irrigation,” pointing to methodological innovation, land-use linkages, and the integration of SIC into broader sustainability and agroecological frameworks. The thematic evolution map (Fig. 9 ) provides a complementary perspective, tracing the structural transformation of SIC-related research across five chronological phases. The earliest stage (1977–2011) centered on geological and regional descriptors such as “calcareous soil,” “paleosol,” “carbonate,” and “alluvial fan,” with a strong paleopedological orientation. Between 2012 and 2018, the field coalesced around “pedogenesis” and “soils,” marking the consolidation of biogeochemical perspectives on soil development, while “semiarid region” emerged as a bridging theme. The 2019–2022 period introduced themes such as “carbonates,” “agriculture,” and “China,” reflecting both regional leadership and the integration of SIC into land-use and food security research. In 2023–2024, “inorganic carbon” became the dominant node, linked with applied themes like “afforestation,” “carbon footprint,” and “soil organic matter,” signifying the growing role of SIC in carbon mitigation strategies. The most recent phase (2025) reinforces this applied trajectory, with persistent centrality of “inorganic carbon” alongside new management-oriented terms like “calcium carbonate,” “pedogenic carbonates,” “grassland,” and “semiarid region,” highlighting both continuity and expansion toward ecosystem-scale management and restoration. 3.5. Thematic and Structural Mapping of Research on Soil Inorganic Carbon” 3.5.1 Document Coupling and Thematic Structure Document coupling analysis identified four thematic clusters (Fig. 10 ). Cluster 1 encompassed emerging work on SIC, SOC, and sequestration with moderate centrality and high frequency. Cluster 2, more historical in nature, included paleosols and paleoclimate studies with strong citation influence. Cluster 3, the most impactful, focused on pedogenic carbonates and carbon storage. Cluster 4 bridged carbonate formation with paleoclimate and geomorphic processes, indicating cross-disciplinary linkages across soil science and geosciences. These results reinforce the field’s transition from descriptive geology to applied environmental science. 3.5.2. Correspondence Analysis The correspondence analysis (CA) biplot (Fig. 11 ) further clarifies thematic proximities by mapping the spatial distribution of frequently used keywords. Terms such as inorganic carbon, soil carbon, carbon cycle, and carbon storage dominate the left quadrant, closely aligning with applied and policy-relevant studies on carbon management. In contrast, the right quadrant is populated by pedogenic carbonate, stable isotope, paleosol, and quaternary, representing geochemical and stratigraphic traditions. Central positioning of terms like climate change, semiarid region, and China suggests their bridging role across thematic dimensions, while carbonate, calcite, and carbonation in the upper right highlight their centrality in geochemical sequestration processes. This spatial distribution underscores a clear dichotomy between applied carbon management and fundamental geoscience, with central themes providing essential cross-domain linkages. 3.5.3 Hierarchical Cluster Analysis The hierarchical clustering dendrogram (Fig. 12 ) reveals three overarching research groupings based on their co-occurrence, revealing distinct thematic groupings and interrelationships within the literature on soil carbon and related processes. The first cluster integrates soil properties and paleoenvironmental indicators such as soil horizon, paleosols, pedogenesis, and carbonates, reflecting their role in paleoclimate reconstructions. The second centres on carbon dynamics and soil chemistry, encompassing SIC, SOC, carbon sequestration, and related terms that emphasize accounting and mechanistic understanding of carbon processes. The third cluster captures climatic and spatial parameters including climate change, arid and semiarid regions, China, and vegetation, with additional variables such as bulk density and soil pH. These clusters point to two dominant trajectories in the literature: traditional pedological and paleoenvironmental research, and contemporary work on carbon sequestration and soil–climate interactions. Importantly, bridging terms such as isotopes, soil moisture, and climate change suggest a growing convergence across disciplinary boundaries. Together, the document coupling, correspondence analysis, and hierarchical clustering provide complementary perspectives on the thematic architecture of SIC research. While document coupling highlights the historical-to-applied transition of research clusters, the correspondence analysis reveals the spatial dichotomy between applied carbon management and geoscience traditions. Hierarchical clustering further consolidates these patterns into three broad knowledge domains, emphasizing both specialization and cross-disciplinary integration. This triangulation of methods underscores a field that is diversifying in scope yet increasingly unified around global challenges such as carbon sequestration, climate change, and sustainable land management. 3.6. International Collaboration Patterns Collaboration network analysis (Fig. 13 ) revealed that 29.36% of the publications involved international co-authorships. China and the United States exhibited the strongest collaborative ties, with additional linkages to Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Australia showed notable collaborations with both the U.S. and China, while Germany and the UK connected networks across North America, Asia, and Africa. India appeared as a key regional contributor with co-authorship links to the U.S., China, and Australia. 4. Discussion This bibliometric analysis reveal a dynamic transition, with SIC research evolving from a niche geoscientific focus into an application-oriented discipline central to global carbon science. Early studies were largely descriptive, emphasizing pedogenesis, carbonate accumulation, and isotopic reconstructions for paleoenvironmental reconstructions. Over the past two decades, however, SIC has been increasingly recognized as a dynamic and manageable carbon pool, with research expanding to themes such as carbon sequestration, land-use management, and climate change. This shift reflects a broader paradigm transition in soil science from static archives of past environments toward solution-oriented and policy-relevant research that links soil processes with sustainability and restoration goals. China has emerged as the global hub of SIC research, supported by extensive dryland landscapes and significant national investment. Leading institutions and highly cited authors have shaped both the pace and direction of the field, often in collaboration with the United States, Europe, and Australia. Yet this concentration also highlights a critical geographic imbalance. Large dryland regions in Africa, South America, and Central Asia, areas that store substantial SIC stocks and are highly vulnerable to climate change remain underrepresented [ 14 ]. Future research in these regions must therefore not only quantify stocks but also focus on the region-specific factors controlling SIC dynamics, such as the impact of local land-use changes, unique soil properties, and climate interactions [ 15 – 18 ], which this bibliometric analysis shows as gaps in the literature. This research bias is alarming given the global significance of these ecosystems. Arid and semi-arid regions cover approximately 41% of Earth’s land surface and are estimated to hold more than one-third of the global soil carbon stock [ 19 , 20 ]. This geographic skew therefore risks biasing global models and management frameworks toward a narrow set of pedo-climatic contexts, limiting the transferability of findings to other vulnerable regions that are major players in the global carbon cycle. Addressing this imbalance through targeted investment and South–South collaboration is both a scientific and equity imperative. Collaboration networks further underscore these challenges. Although international co-authorships have grown, they remain clustered among a few high-output countries, with only 29.36% of studies involving cross-national partnerships. The absence of strong research ties with institutions in Africa and South America indicates limited global integration. Strengthening inclusive collaborations, especially through regional partnerships facilitated by bodies such as the UNCCD, is essential for building local research capacity, improving representation of under-studied drylands, and fostering equitable knowledge exchange. Thematic analyses also highlight growing interdisciplinarity, with SIC now positioned at the interface of soil science, geochemistry, ecology, and climate policy. Bridging terms such as “isotopes,” “climate change,” and “soil moisture” indicate a convergence of paleoenvironmental and applied research agendas. However, methodological inconsistencies remain a major barrier. This challenge is rooted in the fundamental complexity of SIC dynamics; whether a process like irrigation or dissolution represents a net carbon sink or source depends entirely on the fate of bicarbonate ions (HCO₃⁻) and the source of cations [ 21 , 22 ]. Approaches to quantifying SIC ranging from isotope geochemistry to digital soil mapping are diverse and often account for these processes differently, limiting synthesis across studies and constraining integration into carbon accounting systems. Developing standardized protocols and harmonized reporting mechanisms will be critical for enabling robust cross-site comparisons and for establishing SIC as a credible component in global carbon assessments. Equally important is the translation of SIC science into actionable frameworks. Although land management interventions such as irrigation, afforestation, and soil amendments are increasingly studied [ 6 ], long-term monitoring and field-scale experiments remain scarce. This is critical because the outcomes of these interventions are highly complex and context-dependent; for example, irrigation can lead to either SIC accumulation or loss based on water quality, soil type, and management practices [ 23 , 7 , 24 ], and the relationship between SOC and SIC can be positive, negative, or null [ 25 , 26 ]. Furthermore, despite its significance, SIC is largely absent from carbon markets, restoration programs, and major policy instruments such as the IPCC and UNFCCC frameworks. Given this complexity, the exclusion of SIC from major policy instruments is a critical oversight given the scale and dynamism of the SIC pool. Global estimates place SIC stocks at a monumental 695–940 Pg [ 27 , 5 ]. This pool is not inert. Land-use changes and management practices can dramatically shorten SIC residence times from millennia to decades, turning this vast pool into a significant source of atmospheric CO₂ [ 7 , 24 ]. For instance, the application of acidifying nitrogen fertilizers can cause SIC loss at a rate of 0.36–2.8 Mg C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ [ 28 , 29 ]. Conversely, certain management practices can enhance SIC sequestration, with rates estimated from 0.02 to 0.4 Mg C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ [ 30 ]. Furthermore, the potential for dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) leaching to groundwater to represent a significant 'missing sink' adds another layer of complexity that current policies ignore [ 31 ]. Ignoring these massive and manageable fluxes means current carbon accounting is missing a major component of the agricultural carbon budget. Given SIC's demonstrable dual role, its systematic inclusion in global climate strategies is not just prudent it is essential for accurate accounting. However, the present study, is constrained by its reliance on the Scopus database and English-language, peer-reviewed journal articles. Consequently, it may underrepresent regionally significant research published in non-indexed journals, in other languages, or within the grey literature (e.g., technical reports, theses, policy documents), potentially overlooking valuable insights from developing dryland nations. This inherent database bias means the analysis reflects the global mainstream scholarly conversation on SIC rather than the complete global effort, a common limitation that future reviews could address by incorporating a broader, multilingual source base. Conclusions and Way Forward This bibliometric analysis of SIC research in arid and semi-arid regions over the past five decades highlights a remarkable expansion in scientific attention, with a clear shift from descriptive, geochemically-focused studies on paleosols and pedogenesis toward applied, solution-oriented research addressing carbon sequestration, land management, and climate change mitigation. The field has matured into an interdisciplinary domain bridging soil science, geochemistry, ecology, and policy, yet it remains dominated by Chinese institutions, resulting in significant geographic imbalances. Vast SIC-rich drylands in Africa, South America, and Central Asia are underrepresented, and international collaboration remains limited and uneven. Methodological diversity, including isotope geochemistry, digital soil mapping, and field-based assessments, further constrains comparability and integration into global carbon accounting, while SIC’s limited inclusion in policy frameworks, carbon markets, and restoration programs underscores its underutilized potential in climate action. To fully realize the role of SIC in global carbon management, research must expand into underrepresented drylands, fostering South–South collaborations and capacity-building initiatives to generate a more equitable and representative knowledge base. Harmonization of measurement protocols and standardized reporting frameworks is critical to enable credible cross-regional comparisons and integration into carbon markets. Bridging the gap between science and policy requires the systematic incorporation of SIC dynamics into international climate frameworks, such as IPCC and UNFCCC guidelines. Simultaneously, long-term, field-scale studies should quantify the impacts of targeted land management practices such as optimized irrigation, cover cropping, and enhanced weathering on SIC stabilization, thereby translating theoretical understanding into actionable strategies for sustainable dryland management and climate mitigation. Declarations CRediT authorship contribution statement Sharat Kothari: Writing – review & editing, Supervision, Conceptualization, Validation. Atahar Pervez: Writing – original draft, Data curation, Formal analysis, Visualization, Methodology. Sachin Sharma : Writing – review & editing, Methodology, Conceptualization Manorath Sen : Writing – review & editing, Methodology, Conceptualization Mukesh Kumar : Writing – review & editing, Investigation, Validation, Methodology, Pawan Kumar Parihar- Writing – review & editing, Methodology, Conceptualization. Funding This research was supported by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun under the project title “Evaluation of Stability of Soil inorganic Carbon under selected forest blocks of Rajasthan”. Clinical trial number : Not applicable. Ethics, Consent to Participate, and Consent to Publish declarations : Not applicable. Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no conflict of interest. During the preparation of this work, the authors used ChatGPT (OpenAI) to improve language and flow. After using this tool, the authors reviewed, edited, and take full responsibility for the content of the publication. 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1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":182488,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePRISMA flow diagram showing the steps of database search, screening, and final selection of publications used for bibliometric analysis.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image2.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7864896/v1/3fe6fc307cb7aa2fa8d7de73.jpeg"},{"id":97964126,"identity":"e7e249f6-3208-4123-8150-cec5c82e4360","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-11 09:27:42","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":61770,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnnual trends in the number of publications on soil inorganic carbon (SIC) in drylands from 1977 to 2025.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7864896/v1/a3e2fb9cd447a33fa19873c5.png"},{"id":98423022,"identity":"faab9a8c-28f2-4437-b9b1-2739574bcf2c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-17 16:31:44","extension":"jpeg","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":114287,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMost productive authors in SIC research, based on number of publications\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image3.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7864896/v1/a96d0c40f35ab9a517a6c6da.jpeg"},{"id":97964129,"identity":"5ef3fe23-402a-4b0c-a648-29b8f69d2373","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-11 09:27:42","extension":"jpeg","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":105577,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInstitutional contributions to SIC research, showing the leading universities and research organizations worldwide.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image4.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7864896/v1/c0881cb7d1c48209b40b8540.jpeg"},{"id":98422830,"identity":"f23af5db-8656-479d-9f08-e04ccaf4d666","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-17 16:31:33","extension":"jpeg","order_by":5,"title":"Figure 5","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":288829,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThree-field plot linking authors, keywords, and journals in SIC research, illustrating how researchers, themes, and publication outlets are interconnected.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image5.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7864896/v1/e4a4a1176c8e9c57e1960fd0.jpeg"},{"id":98423747,"identity":"ff4cd720-c3da-4a5c-b1d5-0576534b687b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-17 16:32:34","extension":"jpeg","order_by":6,"title":"Figure 6","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":293732,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTree map of the most frequently used author keywords, showing dominant research topics and their relative importance in SIC studies.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image6.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7864896/v1/a48b6fbe0e1764e45b86eee7.jpeg"},{"id":98423599,"identity":"b2be4280-90aa-4f8f-9291-1f21623a9632","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-17 16:32:24","extension":"jpeg","order_by":7,"title":"Figure 7","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":417906,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKeyword co-occurrence network map, displaying major thematic clusters and the relationships among research keywords\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image7.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7864896/v1/2d0944f22c76b4551c73fee6.jpeg"},{"id":97964140,"identity":"d518f054-1676-4ca1-89fb-665ecb924ddb","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-11 09:27:42","extension":"jpeg","order_by":8,"title":"Figure 8","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":102011,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrend analysis of research topics in SIC studies, showing how the prominence of keywords has shifted over time.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image8.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7864896/v1/c1eb52dd28d83f08c84a9ea4.jpeg"},{"id":98422849,"identity":"fe55209d-8431-4908-9d5b-d38c4159cbbd","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-17 16:31:34","extension":"jpeg","order_by":9,"title":"Figure 9","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":208532,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThematic evolution timeline, illustrating the chronological development of SIC research themes from 1977 to 2025.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image9.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7864896/v1/f296426c45634e6ac15a5f10.jpeg"},{"id":98423877,"identity":"ee9ca681-e423-4ae1-9144-8841ca85bd0b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-17 16:32:42","extension":"jpeg","order_by":10,"title":"Figure 10","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":88793,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDocument coupling analysis identifying thematic clusters of publications and their relationships within the SIC research corpus.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image10.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7864896/v1/283866d16524b1ed007626f6.jpeg"},{"id":98424056,"identity":"e60f3191-55c3-4511-8c63-8c54fa4826f1","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-17 16:32:54","extension":"jpeg","order_by":11,"title":"Figure 11","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":99454,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCorrespondence analysis plot showing the spatial association of frequently used keywords, distinguishing applied research from geoscientific traditions.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image11.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7864896/v1/c1225e76342f8632c541a5d2.jpeg"},{"id":98422874,"identity":"410d5976-0e69-4f83-949c-1e3ec3f8514c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-17 16:31:36","extension":"jpeg","order_by":12,"title":"Figure 12","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":123871,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHierarchical cluster analysis of keywords, grouping SIC research into three broad domains: paleoenvironment, carbon dynamics, and climate–soil interactions.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image12.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7864896/v1/de2e4ccb685d1a382864be1e.jpeg"},{"id":98422944,"identity":"7aef978c-9293-4339-a998-b867374531d7","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-17 16:31:40","extension":"jpeg","order_by":13,"title":"Figure 13","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":150444,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGlobal collaboration map, showing international co-authorship patterns and major research networks in SIC studies.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image13.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7864896/v1/5168db5443a074fec4f12f73.jpeg"},{"id":98622095,"identity":"b3e56bd0-ee02-45d8-aea6-cec65c92deac","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-19 16:44:52","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":3751831,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7864896/v1/6c4d0053-414e-4f54-9b4f-2c53a099ea12.pdf"},{"id":98424236,"identity":"a834e1bd-568d-465e-88dc-bb21c01ff430","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-17 16:33:06","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":759066,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGraphical abstract\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Screenshot20251211144344.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7864896/v1/8e19a078f5a6afee646f2d4c.png"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Trends and priorities in soil inorganic carbon research in arid and semi-arid ecosystems","fulltext":[{"header":"Highlights","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u0026bull; Conducted a bibliometric analysis of soil inorganic carbon (SIC) research in arid ecosystems (1977\u0026ndash;2025).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026bull; Examined 470 Scopus publications using Bibliometrix and VOSviewer.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026bull; Found a shift from paleoenvironmental studies to applied carbon management and climate mitigation.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026bull; Used trend, keyword, and thematic evolution analyses.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026bull; Identified geographic bias with Chinese dominance and gaps in other drylands.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026bull; Stressed the need for standardized methods and SIC integration into global carbon policies.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"1. Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eSoil inorganic carbon (SIC), comprising pedogenic and lithogenic carbonates, is an essential yet historically overlooked component of the global carbon cycle, particularly in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. In these drylands, SIC can constitute up to 90% of total soil carbon, often surpassing soil organic carbon (SOC) in both quantity and stability. Despite this dominance, global carbon research and climate policy frameworks have traditionally emphasized the SOC pool, creating a substantial knowledge gap regarding the dynamics and vulnerability of SIC [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe magnitude of this blind spot is significant. Globally, soils store approximately 2200 Pg of carbon in the top meter, with an estimated 1500 Pg as SOC and 700 Pg as SIC. When considered to a depth of 2 meters, the contributions of these two pools become nearly similar [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e]. SIC, mainly composed of carbonates and bicarbonates of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium, has been regarded as relatively inert [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e]. This historical neglect of SIC is largely rooted in the perception that carbonates are geologically stable and inert, unlike the biologically active SOC pool. This assumption has limited exploration of its role in carbon fluxes, even though SIC constitutes roughly 35% of global soil carbon stocks [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e]. In arid environments, it is the dominant pool, and 20\u0026ndash;60% of CO₂ emissions may originate from inorganic sources [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e]. Moreover, anthropogenic disturbances can shorten SIC residence times dramatically from millennia to decades thereby intensifying its contribution to atmospheric CO₂ [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn recent years, attention to SIC has re-emerged in the context of carbon sequestration, dryland degradation, and sustainable land management [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]. However, the research landscape remains fragmented. Knowledge gaps persist regarding geographic representation, thematic evolution, and methodological approaches. Unlike SOC, where bibliometric assessments have provided valuable insights, limited synthesis exists for SIC to trace global patterns, research gaps, and emerging priorities [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e]. This study seeks to address that gap by conducting a bibliometric analysis of SIC research published between 1975 and 2025. The objectives are to: (i) quantify publication trends over time, (ii) identify leading authors, institutions, and collaborations, (iii) map thematic evolution and keyword networks, and (iv) highlight priorities for advancing SIC research in drylands. By synthesizing nearly five decades of scientific output, this analysis provides a global overview of SIC research, offering direction for more balanced integration of inorganic carbon into soil science, carbon cycle studies, and climate policy.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2. Materials and Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e2.1. Data Retrieval\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDatabases such as Web of Science, Pubmed and Scopus facilitate the bibliometric studies. Each databases have their own advantages and limitations. Among these Web of Science and Scopus data bases are widely used for literature searches [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e]. Scopus was selected for this study due to its extensive coverage of peer-reviewed literature in the environmental and agricultural sciences, which is particularly relevant for soil carbon research [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e]. Furthermore, Scopus provides robust export functionalities essential for bibliometric analysis. So only the Scopus indexed papers were used for the present study.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA structured query was executed in the Scopus database on 8th September 2025 to identify articles related to SIC in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. In this study, abstracts, article titles, and author keywords related data were collected and analysed. The search strategy used Boolean logic operators to include relevant terms such as \u0026ldquo;soil inorganic carbon,\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;pedogenic carbonate,\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;calcic horizon,\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;carbonate accumulation,\u0026rdquo; and to exclude irrelevant document types. The search term included : TITLE-ABS-KEY ( ( \"soil inorganic carbon\" OR \"pedogenic carbonate\" OR \"soil carbonate\" OR \"calcic horizon\" OR \"secondary carbonate\" OR \"carbonate accumulation\" ) AND ( soil ) AND ( arid OR semiarid OR \"semi-arid\" OR dryland OR desert ) ). Only peer-reviewed articles published in English between 1975 and 2025 were included.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eScopus's built-in filters were used to limit results to relevant subject areas (Earth and Planetary Sciences, Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Environmental Science, Multidisciplinary), final publication stages, journal sources, and the English language. This step refined the dataset to 532 publications. Further The titles of these 532 records were manually evaluated for thematic relevance to SIC dynamics in drylands. Studies focused on unrelated topics (e.g., engineering properties, planetary geology, medical applications) were excluded. This process resulted in a final corpus of 470 publications for analysis. The entire retrieval and screening protocol is summarized in a PRISMA flow diagram (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). The final dataset, including bibliographic information, was exported in .csv format for subsequent analysis.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e2.2. Data Processing and Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBibliometric analysis was performed using the Bibliometrix R package (v4.4.1) and its Biblioshiny web interface [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e]. Key indicators analysed included annual growth rate, document and citation counts, co-authorship, author productivity, and keyword trends. For this, metrics like total citations per year (TCpY), PageRank, and betweenness centrality were studied. VOSviewer (version 1.6.20) was used to visualize keyword co-occurrence and thematic clusters. All figures were exported in high-resolution formats to ensure clarity. The main characteristics of the bibliographic dataset are summarized in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"3. Results","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.1. Growth Trends in Publication\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFigure \u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e depicts the substantial growth of scientific interest in SIC research over the past five decades. Annual research publication output remained low which was fewer than five articles per year until the 1990s. It was followed by a period of slow but consistent growth throughout the 1990s and 2000s, averaging about 6\u0026ndash;11 articles/year. A marked increase occurred in 2007 (20 articles), with subsequent peaks observed in 2016 (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;27), 2020 (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;29), and 2023 (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;28). This trend aligns with growing global attention to carbon cycling and dryland degradation. The field's high annual growth rate of 6.55% and a high average citation rate of 47.51 citations per document indicate both rapidly expanding interest and significant academic impact.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSummary of main characteristics of the bibliometric dataset, including timespan, sources, number of documents and citation metrics.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"2\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDescription\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eResults\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTimespan\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1975:2025\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSources (Journals, Books, etc)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e156\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDocuments\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e470\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnnual Growth Rate %\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.55\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDocument Average Age\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAverage citations per doc\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47.51\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eReferences\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24468\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDOCUMENT CONTENTS\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eKeywords Plus (ID)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2645\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAuthor's Keywords (DE)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1171\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAUTHORS\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAuthors\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1551\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAuthors of single-authored docs\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e43\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAUTHORS COLLABORATION\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSingle-authored docs\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCo-Authors per Doc\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.52\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eInternational co-authorships %\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e29.36\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.2. Influential Authors, Institutions and sources\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOut of 1551 contributing authors, Wang X emerged as the leading author (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e), with 12 publications addressing SIC in relation to fertilization, salinity, and land use. Notably his 2015 publications have 372 citations, with a TCpY of 33.82. Wang Y contributed to SIC variability across agroclimatic zones and afforestation regimes, often in collaboration with Wang X. Quade J and Amundson R also made foundational contributions in paleosol studies.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt an institutional level, Chinese organizations dominated the research output (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). The most dominant institutes were Lanzhou University (52 articles), Northwest A\u0026amp;F University (42), Beijing Normal University (38), and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (30). The most active institutions outside China were the Universidad P\u0026uacute;blica de Navarra (Spain) and the University of California (USA).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe three-field plot diagram (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e), displaying the relationships between authors, keywords and sources in inorganic carbon research is given in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig10\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e. The diagram shows important components using colored rectangles where each rectangle's height reflects the number of links it contains; larger rectangles denote stronger associations. The central node of the plot confirms \u0026ldquo;soil inorganic carbon,\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;pedogenic carbonate,\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;paleosols\u0026rdquo; as the core focus areas of most authors. Catena and Geoderma are the most prominent outlets, regularly publishing work on soil inorganic carbon, carbonate processes, and soil genesis. Also Quaternary International, Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecologyin soil, and Geology are key platforms for studies involving paleosols and paleoclimate reconstruction.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3.3 Keywords frequency\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA tree map of the most frequently used author keywords (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e) reveals the core themes of SIC research. The high frequency of \"China\" (f\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;98) and \"soils\" (f\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;98) indicates a strong geographical and disciplinary focus. Keywords directly related to carbon dynamics were seen predominant, including \"pedogenesis\" (95), \"soil carbon\" (90), \"carbonate\" (89), \"inorganic carbon\" (86), \"organic carbon\" (79), and \"carbon sequestration\" (77).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA significant paleoenvironmental research dimension was indicated by the prominence of \"paleosol\" (82), \"paleoclimate\" (59), and \"paleoenvironment\" (39) keywords, highlighting the use of soil carbonates as proxies for reconstructing past climates. This is further supported by the frequent use of methodological terms such as \"carbon isotope\" (42) and \"stable isotope\" (35). The strong environmental context of the research is evidenced by terms like \"semiarid region\" (64), \"arid region\" (62), \"desert\" (27), and \"grassland\" (20). The frequent occurrence of terms such as \"climate change\" (51) and \"carbon dioxide\" (69) signifies the increasing linkage of SIC studies to global climate change science.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3.4. Keyword Co-Occurrence and Thematic Clusters\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe keyword co-occurrence analysis revealed four dominant thematic clusters in the SIC research corpus (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig7\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e). Cluster 1 (Applied Carbon Management) is anchored by terms such as \u003cem\u003esoil inorganic carbon\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003esoil carbon\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003esoil organic matter\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003ecarbon storage\u003c/em\u003e. This cluster highlights contemporary, application-oriented studies linking SIC to carbon accounting, sequestration, land management, and climate change mitigation. Cluster 2 (Paleoenvironmental and Pedogenic Research) encompasses keywords like \u003cem\u003epaleosol\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003epaleoclimate\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003epedogenesis\u003c/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003ecalcretes\u003c/em\u003e. These represent foundational investigations into long-term carbon stabilization mechanisms and geological reconstructions. Cluster 3 (Soil Processes and Properties) is characterized by general terms such as soils, soil chemistry, soil moisture, and soil water. This cluster functions as a conceptual bridge, connecting paleoenvironmental studies with applied research on current soil functioning. While, cluster 4 (Isotopic and Spatial Studies) includes carbon isotope, isotopic composition, Eurasia, and North America. These reflect methodological and regional approaches used to trace SIC dynamics across temporal and spatial scales.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNetwork metrics quantified the importance of key terms. The node \u003cb\u003e\"soils\"\u003c/b\u003e exhibited the highest \u003cb\u003ebetweenness centrality (53.52)\u003c/b\u003e, indicating its critical role in connecting different thematic clusters. The keyword \u003cb\u003e\"China\"\u003c/b\u003e also showed high betweenness centrality \u003cb\u003e(16.59)\u003c/b\u003e and PageRank \u003cb\u003e(0.033)\u003c/b\u003e, confirming its role not just as a location but as a central conceptual hub within the network. The term \u003cb\u003e\"carbon dioxide\"\u003c/b\u003e (betweenness: 9.28) served as a key bridge, connecting the paleoenvironmental cluster with the modern carbon management cluster.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.4. Thematic Evolution and Emerging Topics\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe trend topics analysis (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig8\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e) highlight the shifting prominence of research keywords in SIC studies from 1977 to 2025. Earlier decades emphasized descriptive and geological terms such as \u0026ldquo;calcareous soils,\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;holocene,\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;paleosols,\u0026rdquo; reflecting a geoscience-oriented foundation. From the early 2000s, terms like \u0026ldquo;pedogenesis,\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;soil carbonate,\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;micromorphology\u0026rdquo; gained visibility, underscoring the consolidation of pedogenic and paleoclimatic research. Post-2010, climate-linked and management-related terms like \u0026ldquo;carbon sequestration,\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;soil respiration,\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;climate change,\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;organic carbon\u0026rdquo; emerged strongly, indicating a shift toward ecosystem services and applied carbon research. The most recent years (2020\u0026ndash;2025) show the rising frequency of terms like \u0026ldquo;digital soil mapping,\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;inorganic carbon,\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;irrigation,\u0026rdquo; pointing to methodological innovation, land-use linkages, and the integration of SIC into broader sustainability and agroecological frameworks.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe thematic evolution map (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig9\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e) provides a complementary perspective, tracing the structural transformation of SIC-related research across five chronological phases. The earliest stage (1977\u0026ndash;2011) centered on geological and regional descriptors such as \u0026ldquo;calcareous soil,\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;paleosol,\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;carbonate,\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;alluvial fan,\u0026rdquo; with a strong paleopedological orientation. Between 2012 and 2018, the field coalesced around \u0026ldquo;pedogenesis\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;soils,\u0026rdquo; marking the consolidation of biogeochemical perspectives on soil development, while \u0026ldquo;semiarid region\u0026rdquo; emerged as a bridging theme. The 2019\u0026ndash;2022 period introduced themes such as \u0026ldquo;carbonates,\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;agriculture,\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;China,\u0026rdquo; reflecting both regional leadership and the integration of SIC into land-use and food security research. In 2023\u0026ndash;2024, \u0026ldquo;inorganic carbon\u0026rdquo; became the dominant node, linked with applied themes like \u0026ldquo;afforestation,\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;carbon footprint,\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;soil organic matter,\u0026rdquo; signifying the growing role of SIC in carbon mitigation strategies. The most recent phase (2025) reinforces this applied trajectory, with persistent centrality of \u0026ldquo;inorganic carbon\u0026rdquo; alongside new management-oriented terms like \u0026ldquo;calcium carbonate,\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;pedogenic carbonates,\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;grassland,\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;semiarid region,\u0026rdquo; highlighting both continuity and expansion toward ecosystem-scale management and restoration.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.5. Thematic and Structural Mapping of Research on Soil Inorganic Carbon\u0026rdquo;\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.5.1 Document Coupling and Thematic Structure\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDocument coupling analysis identified four thematic clusters (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig10\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e). Cluster 1 encompassed emerging work on SIC, SOC, and sequestration with moderate centrality and high frequency. Cluster 2, more historical in nature, included paleosols and paleoclimate studies with strong citation influence. Cluster 3, the most impactful, focused on pedogenic carbonates and carbon storage. Cluster 4 bridged carbonate formation with paleoclimate and geomorphic processes, indicating cross-disciplinary linkages across soil science and geosciences. These results reinforce the field\u0026rsquo;s transition from descriptive geology to applied environmental science.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.5.2. Correspondence Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe correspondence analysis (CA) biplot (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig11\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e) further clarifies thematic proximities by mapping the spatial distribution of frequently used keywords. Terms such as inorganic carbon, soil carbon, carbon cycle, and carbon storage dominate the left quadrant, closely aligning with applied and policy-relevant studies on carbon management. In contrast, the right quadrant is populated by pedogenic carbonate, stable isotope, paleosol, and quaternary, representing geochemical and stratigraphic traditions. Central positioning of terms like climate change, semiarid region, and China suggests their bridging role across thematic dimensions, while carbonate, calcite, and carbonation in the upper right highlight their centrality in geochemical sequestration processes. This spatial distribution underscores a clear dichotomy between applied carbon management and fundamental geoscience, with central themes providing essential cross-domain linkages.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.5.3 Hierarchical Cluster Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe hierarchical clustering dendrogram (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig12\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e) reveals three overarching research groupings based on their co-occurrence, revealing distinct thematic groupings and interrelationships within the literature on soil carbon and related processes.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe first cluster integrates soil properties and paleoenvironmental indicators such as soil horizon, paleosols, pedogenesis, and carbonates, reflecting their role in paleoclimate reconstructions. The second centres on carbon dynamics and soil chemistry, encompassing SIC, SOC, carbon sequestration, and related terms that emphasize accounting and mechanistic understanding of carbon processes. The third cluster captures climatic and spatial parameters including climate change, arid and semiarid regions, China, and vegetation, with additional variables such as bulk density and soil pH. These clusters point to two dominant trajectories in the literature: traditional pedological and paleoenvironmental research, and contemporary work on carbon sequestration and soil\u0026ndash;climate interactions. Importantly, bridging terms such as isotopes, soil moisture, and climate change suggest a growing convergence across disciplinary boundaries.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTogether, the document coupling, correspondence analysis, and hierarchical clustering provide complementary perspectives on the thematic architecture of SIC research. While document coupling highlights the historical-to-applied transition of research clusters, the correspondence analysis reveals the spatial dichotomy between applied carbon management and geoscience traditions. Hierarchical clustering further consolidates these patterns into three broad knowledge domains, emphasizing both specialization and cross-disciplinary integration. This triangulation of methods underscores a field that is diversifying in scope yet increasingly unified around global challenges such as carbon sequestration, climate change, and sustainable land management.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.6. International Collaboration Patterns\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCollaboration network analysis (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig13\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e) revealed that 29.36% of the publications involved international co-authorships. China and the United States exhibited the strongest collaborative ties, with additional linkages to Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Australia showed notable collaborations with both the U.S. and China, while Germany and the UK connected networks across North America, Asia, and Africa. India appeared as a key regional contributor with co-authorship links to the U.S., China, and Australia.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"4. Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis bibliometric analysis reveal a dynamic transition, with SIC research evolving from a niche geoscientific focus into an application-oriented discipline central to global carbon science. Early studies were largely descriptive, emphasizing pedogenesis, carbonate accumulation, and isotopic reconstructions for paleoenvironmental reconstructions. Over the past two decades, however, SIC has been increasingly recognized as a dynamic and manageable carbon pool, with research expanding to themes such as carbon sequestration, land-use management, and climate change. This shift reflects a broader paradigm transition in soil science from static archives of past environments toward solution-oriented and policy-relevant research that links soil processes with sustainability and restoration goals.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eChina has emerged as the global hub of SIC research, supported by extensive dryland landscapes and significant national investment. Leading institutions and highly cited authors have shaped both the pace and direction of the field, often in collaboration with the United States, Europe, and Australia. Yet this concentration also highlights a critical geographic imbalance. Large dryland regions in Africa, South America, and Central Asia, areas that store substantial SIC stocks and are highly vulnerable to climate change remain underrepresented [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e]. Future research in these regions must therefore not only quantify stocks but also focus on the region-specific factors controlling SIC dynamics, such as the impact of local land-use changes, unique soil properties, and climate interactions [\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR16 CR17\" citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e], which this bibliometric analysis shows as gaps in the literature.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis research bias is alarming given the global significance of these ecosystems. Arid and semi-arid regions cover approximately 41% of Earth\u0026rsquo;s land surface and are estimated to hold more than one-third of the global soil carbon stock [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e]. This geographic skew therefore risks biasing global models and management frameworks toward a narrow set of pedo-climatic contexts, limiting the transferability of findings to other vulnerable regions that are major players in the global carbon cycle. Addressing this imbalance through targeted investment and South\u0026ndash;South collaboration is both a scientific and equity imperative.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCollaboration networks further underscore these challenges. Although international co-authorships have grown, they remain clustered among a few high-output countries, with only 29.36% of studies involving cross-national partnerships. The absence of strong research ties with institutions in Africa and South America indicates limited global integration. Strengthening inclusive collaborations, especially through regional partnerships facilitated by bodies such as the UNCCD, is essential for building local research capacity, improving representation of under-studied drylands, and fostering equitable knowledge exchange.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThematic analyses also highlight growing interdisciplinarity, with SIC now positioned at the interface of soil science, geochemistry, ecology, and climate policy. Bridging terms such as \u0026ldquo;isotopes,\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;climate change,\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;soil moisture\u0026rdquo; indicate a convergence of paleoenvironmental and applied research agendas. However, methodological inconsistencies remain a major barrier. This challenge is rooted in the fundamental complexity of SIC dynamics; whether a process like irrigation or dissolution represents a net carbon sink or source depends entirely on the fate of bicarbonate ions (HCO₃⁻) and the source of cations [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e]. Approaches to quantifying SIC ranging from isotope geochemistry to digital soil mapping are diverse and often account for these processes differently, limiting synthesis across studies and constraining integration into carbon accounting systems. Developing standardized protocols and harmonized reporting mechanisms will be critical for enabling robust cross-site comparisons and for establishing SIC as a credible component in global carbon assessments.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEqually important is the translation of SIC science into actionable frameworks. Although land management interventions such as irrigation, afforestation, and soil amendments are increasingly studied [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e], long-term monitoring and field-scale experiments remain scarce. This is critical because the outcomes of these interventions are highly complex and context-dependent; for example, irrigation can lead to either SIC accumulation or loss based on water quality, soil type, and management practices [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e], and the relationship between SOC and SIC can be positive, negative, or null [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e]. Furthermore, despite its significance, SIC is largely absent from carbon markets, restoration programs, and major policy instruments such as the IPCC and UNFCCC frameworks.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGiven this complexity, the exclusion of SIC from major policy instruments is a critical oversight given the scale and dynamism of the SIC pool. Global estimates place SIC stocks at a monumental 695\u0026ndash;940 Pg [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e]. This pool is not inert. Land-use changes and management practices can dramatically shorten SIC residence times from millennia to decades, turning this vast pool into a significant source of atmospheric CO₂ [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e]. For instance, the application of acidifying nitrogen fertilizers can cause SIC loss at a rate of 0.36\u0026ndash;2.8 Mg C ha⁻\u0026sup1; year⁻\u0026sup1; [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e28\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e]. Conversely, certain management practices can enhance SIC sequestration, with rates estimated from 0.02 to 0.4 Mg C ha⁻\u0026sup1; year⁻\u0026sup1; [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e]. Furthermore, the potential for dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) leaching to groundwater to represent a significant 'missing sink' adds another layer of complexity that current policies ignore [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e31\u003c/span\u003e]. Ignoring these massive and manageable fluxes means current carbon accounting is missing a major component of the agricultural carbon budget. Given SIC's demonstrable dual role, its systematic inclusion in global climate strategies is not just prudent it is essential for accurate accounting.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHowever, the present study, is constrained by its reliance on the Scopus database and English-language, peer-reviewed journal articles. Consequently, it may underrepresent regionally significant research published in non-indexed journals, in other languages, or within the grey literature (e.g., technical reports, theses, policy documents), potentially overlooking valuable insights from developing dryland nations. This inherent database bias means the analysis reflects the global \u003cem\u003emainstream\u003c/em\u003e scholarly conversation on SIC rather than the complete global effort, a common limitation that future reviews could address by incorporating a broader, multilingual source base.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusions and Way Forward","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis bibliometric analysis of SIC research in arid and semi-arid regions over the past five decades highlights a remarkable expansion in scientific attention, with a clear shift from descriptive, geochemically-focused studies on paleosols and pedogenesis toward applied, solution-oriented research addressing carbon sequestration, land management, and climate change mitigation. The field has matured into an interdisciplinary domain bridging soil science, geochemistry, ecology, and policy, yet it remains dominated by Chinese institutions, resulting in significant geographic imbalances. Vast SIC-rich drylands in Africa, South America, and Central Asia are underrepresented, and international collaboration remains limited and uneven. Methodological diversity, including isotope geochemistry, digital soil mapping, and field-based assessments, further constrains comparability and integration into global carbon accounting, while SIC\u0026rsquo;s limited inclusion in policy frameworks, carbon markets, and restoration programs underscores its underutilized potential in climate action.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo fully realize the role of SIC in global carbon management, research must expand into underrepresented drylands, fostering South\u0026ndash;South collaborations and capacity-building initiatives to generate a more equitable and representative knowledge base. Harmonization of measurement protocols and standardized reporting frameworks is critical to enable credible cross-regional comparisons and integration into carbon markets. Bridging the gap between science and policy requires the systematic incorporation of SIC dynamics into international climate frameworks, such as IPCC and UNFCCC guidelines. Simultaneously, long-term, field-scale studies should quantify the impacts of targeted land management practices such as optimized irrigation, cover cropping, and enhanced weathering on SIC stabilization, thereby translating theoretical understanding into actionable strategies for sustainable dryland management and climate mitigation.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCRediT authorship contribution statement\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSharat Kothari:\u003c/strong\u003e Writing \u0026ndash; review \u0026amp; editing, Supervision, Conceptualization, Validation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAtahar Pervez:\u003c/strong\u003e Writing \u0026ndash; original draft, Data curation, Formal analysis, Visualization, Methodology. \u003cstrong\u003eSachin Sharma\u003c/strong\u003e: Writing \u0026ndash; review \u0026amp; editing, Methodology, Conceptualization \u003cstrong\u003eManorath Sen\u003c/strong\u003e: Writing \u0026ndash; review \u0026amp; editing, Methodology, Conceptualization \u003cstrong\u003eMukesh Kumar\u003c/strong\u003e: Writing \u0026ndash; review \u0026amp; editing, Investigation, Validation, Methodology, \u003cstrong\u003ePawan Kumar Parihar-\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eWriting \u0026ndash; review \u0026amp; editing, Methodology, Conceptualization.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis research was supported by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun under the project title \u0026ldquo;Evaluation of Stability of Soil inorganic Carbon under selected forest blocks of Rajasthan\u0026rdquo;.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClinical trial number\u003c/strong\u003e: Not applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics, Consent to Participate, and Consent to Publish declarations\u003c/strong\u003e: Not applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeclaration of Competing Interest\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare no conflict of interest. During the preparation of this work, the authors used ChatGPT (OpenAI) to improve language and flow. After using this tool, the authors reviewed, edited, and take full responsibility for the content of the publication.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData availability\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSong XD, Yang F, Wu HY, Zhang J, Li DC, Liu F, Zhao YG, Yang JL, Ju B, Cai CF, Huang B, Long HY, Lu Y, Sui YY, Wang QB, Wu KN, Zhang FR, Zhang MK, Shi Z, Ma WZ, Xin G, Qi ZP, Chang QR, Ci E, Yuan DG, Zhang YZ, Bai JP, Chen JY, Chen J, Chen YJ, Dong YZ, Han CL, Li L, Liu LM, Pan JJ, Song FP, Sun FJ, Wang DF, Wang TW, Wei XH, Wu HQ, Zhao X, Zhou Q, Zhang GL. Significant loss of soil inorganic carbon at the continental scale. 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Geophys Res Lett. 2015;42(14):5880\u0026ndash;7. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1002/2015GL064222\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1002/2015GL064222\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-soil","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Soil](https://link.springer.com/journal/44378)","snPcode":"44378","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/44378/3","title":"Discover Soil","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Bibliometrics, pedogenic carbonate, soil carbon sequestration, soil inorganic carbon, Scopus","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7864896/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7864896/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"Soil inorganic carbon (SIC) forms a major part of the global soil carbon pool, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where it often exceeds soil organic carbon (SOC). Despite this importance, SIC has received far less attention in global carbon research. To address this gap, we carried out a bibliometric analysis of 470 publications from 1975 to 2025, focusing on SIC research in semi-arid and arid ecosystems. The results show steady growth in publications, with a marked rise after 2000, and reveal a shift in emphasis from paleoenvironmental and pedogenic studies to applied topics such as carbon sequestration, land management, and climate change. The analysis highlights a strong dominance of Chinese institutions, while research from Africa, South America, and Central Asia remains limited. Network mapping identified clusters related to applied carbon management, paleopedology, soil processes, and isotopic studies, showing both diversification and integration across disciplines. However, the lack of standardized methods continues to limit comparability among studies, and SIC remains largely absent from international carbon policy frameworks. Our findings point to the need for broader geographic coverage, harmonized methodologies, and closer integration of SIC into climate policy and carbon accounting systems.","manuscriptTitle":"Trends and priorities in soil inorganic carbon research in arid and semi-arid ecosystems","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-12-11 09:27:37","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7864896/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2026-01-21T14:38:06+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-01-18T16:11:17+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-01-09T00:19:40+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"80447117062443191483341901714680593641","date":"2026-01-08T11:36:09+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"126462551285126357592047343113177315304","date":"2025-12-28T23:35:33+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"294486490520097460066673548244252460121","date":"2025-12-20T00:38:55+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-12-07T20:38:52+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2025-12-04T10:47:38+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-11-25T11:11:57+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-10-30T11:37:54+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Discover Soil","date":"2025-10-30T11:29:56+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-soil","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Soil](https://link.springer.com/journal/44378)","snPcode":"44378","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/44378/3","title":"Discover Soil","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"56a1b036-d9af-41fa-b425-341d9b3c036a","owner":[],"postedDate":"December 11th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-05-18T09:54:57+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-12-11 09:27:37","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7864896","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7864896","identity":"rs-7864896","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}