Elucidating the kinetics of phosphorus (P) sorption and desorption in soil aggregates of different sizes has important implications for the regulation of plant growth and development in revegetation desert ecosystems. In this study, the Freundlich models were used to describe the kinetics of P sorption and desorption by soil aggregates of five sizes (0.5–0.25, 0.25–0.15, 0.15–0.10, 0.10–0.05 and <0.05 mm) in a long‐term revegetation desert ecosystem. The results showed that long‐term (>65 years) revegetation significantly improved the properties of desert soil in terms of P fractions (p < 0.05), soil bulk density (p < 0.05), and soil type. The Freundlich models well‐described P sorption and desorption by soil aggregates in the revegetated desert. Soil aggregates of 0.25–0.15 mm adsorbed the lowest amount of P (P adsorbed: KF = 0.26, n = 0.97) but desorbed the highest amount of P (P desorbed: KF = 2.41, n = −0.97). Soil aggregates of <0.05 mm adsorbed the most P (P adsorbed: KF = 0.60, n = 0.85) but desorbed the lowest P (P desorbed: KF = 1.67, n = −1.00). Furthermore, P sorption was fastest when the added P was 0–1.0 mg L−1, and P desorption was fastest at 1–3 hr. Soil aggregates that were 0.25–0.15 mm in size had the highest mass proportion in the long‐term revegetation desert and played a key role in supporting available P for plant development. Soil aggregates of <0.05 mm adsorbed the most P; however, their contribution was constrained because they had the smallest mass proportion and the lowest amount of P desorption.

• A sinkhole ecosystem, as a refuge for plant diversity, has been subjected to intensive exploitation, leading to ecosystem destruction of sinkholes in China. Understanding the responses of bryophyte distribution to destruction of the sinkhole environment are crucial to implementing protection measures for bryophyte diversity. • Haolong sinkhole in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China, the third largest sinkhole in the world, was selected as the study area. The Wilson Shmida index was used to analyse bryophyte species diversity; a Generalized Linear Model (GLM) was used to reveal species vertical distribution of bryophytes, the Single and Multiple Species Distribution Models (SSDM, MSDM) were used for analysis of the relationship between bryophyte species distribution, environmental factors and heavy metals. • A total of 183 species from 74 genera in 36 families of bryophytes were collected from Haolong sinkhole, of which 26 species are endemic to China. Bryophyte species diversity was ranked in the order: agricultural section < forest section < grassland. In the vertical direction, bryophyte distribution was divided into point, disjunctive and continuous distributions using the GLM. The SSMA and MSDM indicated that bryophyte species of each of these three distributions can be divided into a temperature-slope zone, light-depth-pH-humidity zone, Pb (B)-Hg (B) zone and mixed heavy metals zone according to the effect of environmental factors and heavy metals such as As. • Environmental factors or heavy metals, such as As, in Haolong sinkhole effectively cooperate in bryophyte distribution. An effective way to protect bryophyte diversity, in particular species endemic to China in the sinkhole environment, is through education and involvement of the local villagers to minimize further damage to the sinkhole environment.

The levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) were measured in various environmental compartments in Tangshan, China, which contains multiple thermal-related industries. The total toxic equivalent concentrations of these pollutants were 138 ± 87.2 fg/m(3) in air, 3.43 ± 2.88 pg/g in soils, and 1.42 ± 1.5 pg/g in sediments. The 2,3,7,8-PCDD/Fs profiles in atmospheric samples suggest that thermal-related industries are the most likely potential sources. Of the dl-PCBs, CB-77, CB-105 and CB-118 were the most abundant congeners and CB-126 was the dominant contributor to the TEQs from the dl-PCBs.