Improvement and Stability of Soil Organic Carbon: The Effect of Earthworm Mucus Organo-Mineral Associations with Montmorillonite and Hematite

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The present study discussed very important subject. The paper is well written and in the scope of the journal, however, some minor comments should be addressed before accept to publication.

1. Line 99:The chemical formula was misrepresented.Hydrogen peroxide H2O2 should be written as H₂O₂.

2. Eq.1 & 3:please check each symbol in the equation explained in detail,like C₀,C_b,C_f.

3. Eq.4:A multiplicative sign between M and N is required.

4. The ‘cm‒1’ in the main text should be cm^‒1.Please check.

5. Line 382:Reference 9 missing journal name.

6. What effect does the adsorption of protein components in mucous of earthworm on montmorillonite and hematite have on their structure?

7. What are the characteristics and mechanisms of adsorption of polysaccharide/nucleic acid and aromatic components in mucous of earthworm on montmorillonite and hematite?

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

English is OK

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The topic and data of the study are very attractive, but the method introduction lacks a basis, some parts are not explained clearly, and there is a lack of corresponding references. More importantly, I do not understand why there are no statistical analysis results in the results section, and I also did not see an introduction to the statistical analysis methods in the paper. According to my knowledge, there should be statistical analysis. Without statistical analysis results, it is difficult to say that the results and conclusions in the paper are correct. For specific comments, please see the paper.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The quality of English Language is good. However, minor editing of English language is required.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

All in the MS

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx