Geochemistry Process from Weathering Rocks to Soils: Perspective of an Ecological Geology Survey in China
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The manuscript presents a quite deep investigation of the three typical ecological problems in China were introduced, including land salinization in the North, desertification of land in the Northwest, Karst rocky desertification in South China. Authors show eco-geology models and Content of major chemical elements. The manuscript has 26 pages, 6 tables, 5 figures, 54 references. The text is detailed, but hard to understand. English style and terms should be corrected. So many small mistakes, which obstruct the reading. I attach pdf with my comments.
Especially, I would like to point major comments:
The abstract is too wide.
All references should be numbered as MDPI template [1], [2-4] etc.
When you mention a figure or a table, you need to place it near the text.
Line 174 - indexes below the inline!
For the readers it is better to involve classification of vegetation: shrubs, trees etc. As I don't know all these words and need to check the dictionary.
All references should be arranged in MDPI style.
Line 92 I suggest to cite also Li, Z.; Li, L.; Wang, Y.; Man, W.; Liu, W.; Nie, Q. Spatial Change of the Farming–Pastoral Ecotone in Northern China from 1985 to 2021. Land 2022, 11, 2179. https://doi.org/10.3390/land11122179
The spatiotemporal change of cropland and its impact on vegetation dynamics in the farming-pastoral ecotone of northern China
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150286
Lines 561-569 and 571-576 has too similar description. Maybe you need to rephrase it or make them together, not separate.
Table 3 contains soil layers F1 and F2, about what I didn't observe any mention inside the text. I also don't clearly understand when you select A, B and R horisons, and when A, B and F1, F2.
I would also like to see some sentences about the relation of geologic background (gneiss, amphibolite etc.) with the soil chemical content. It would Highlight winning sides.
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
The authors investigated how weathering process from parent materials affects the geological genesis of ecological problems with the help of three representative soil types. They have some interesting findings that the geological genesis was a major contributor to the ecological characteristics of forming soil and may have intriguing questions for how to evaluate the contribution of anthropogenic effects at local and national levels. This manuscript is well-structured and written. I enjoyed reading it and would like to recommend it for publication.
Author Response
The authors investigated how weathering process from parent materials affects the geological genesis of ecological problems with the help of three representative soil types. They have some interesting findings that the geological genesis was a major contributor to the ecological characteristics of forming soil and may have intriguing questions for how to evaluate the contribution of anthropogenic effects at local and national levels. This manuscript is well-structured and written. I enjoyed reading it and would like to recommend it for publication.
Response: Thank you very much for your positive comments on the article.
Reviewer 3 Report
Dear Authors,
After through reading of Your manuscript, I've found presented research very interesting and well organized. Of course I pointed some minor issues especially in the methodology, but overall the manuscript is of very good quality. For detailed comments please see the attached pdf file. Please carefully goes through the manuscript, because some of comments are also addressed to the Tables. My final decision is to accept the manuscript after minor revision.
Comments for author File: Comments.pdf
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Thank you very much for such a big work with refreshing the manuscript. Now it looks better.
Please, add in the abstract (how many soil horizons do you observe).
p.2. subs. 2.1 two soil horizons (A or B). (point)
p. 4.1. subs. 2.2 silicate mineral isolation. Then Na2O instead Na2O
Figure 3. Try to put the title near the figure.
Rename 3. 5. Eco-Geology Model ... for The Distribution of Major Elements within Soil Particles as subsection title "Eco-Geology Model" is everywhere in the text e.g. 4.3..
p. 10 - in the text I see Figure 4, but do not see the figure here.
The title of subs. 4.1. should be in the next page.
Table 3 title and 1 line should be moved to the next page.
Section 5. Eco-Geology Model for Rocky Desertification has the same name as 5.3. Eco-Geology Model.
Table 4. Middle-
severe
Table 5. I see extra points at column Cu and Zn.
Subs. 5.2. and p. 15 - Al2O3
p. 15 The soil’s clay is rich in silica? or rich of ? or rich with?
[8] Trofimov V.T.
And finally decide, what term do you use. I see in the title Ecological Geology. In keywords eco-geological model. In the text eco-geology model. I see it is the same meaning. However, please, be clear and accurate.
Happy Holidays.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
