The significant role of inorganic matters in preservation and stability of soil organic carbon in the Baoji and Luochuan loess/paleosol profiles, Central China

► Investigated the correlations between SOC with clay minerals and iron oxides. ► StOC was preserved in the loess and paleosol after 375 kyr since their deposition. ► Kaolinite might play chemical and physical roles in the fixation of organic carbon. ► Feo mainly affected by sorption and Fep by complexation on SOC preservation.