Fluorescence spectroscopy relies on the fluorescence emitted by rigid conjugated systems and thus has been increasingly used to assess the soil organic matter (SOM) humification. This technique is widely applied to solution samples of humic substances, and so far no information exists about its applicability to solid-phase soil samples. Composite soil samples of different depths (0-20, 20-40 and 40-60 cm) were collected from four different halophyte communities along a saline-impact gradient, namely, Comm. Salicornia europaea (CSE), Comm. Suaeda glauca (CSG), Comm. Kalidium foliatum (CKF) and Comm. Sophora alopecuroides (CSA) located around Wuliangsuhai Lake. A humification index based on solid surface fluorescence spectroscopy (HIX(SSF)) was proposed, and compared with conventional humification indices I400/I360, I470/I360, I465/I399 and A4 /Al. There were close positive linear correlations between HIXass and 1400/1360, 145/I399 and A4/A1, but a poor positive linear correlation existed between the HIX(SSF) and I470/I360. The results indicated that HIX(SSF) can be taken as a tool to assess the soil humi fication. The HIX(SSF) of the CSE and CSG varied inappreciably within soil profiles and there was no trend with depth. However the HIX(SSF) varied appreciably in the CKF and CSA, and the HIX(SSF) of the bottom soil profile was higher than that of the other profiles. As a whole, the soil humification degree was low around Wuliangsuhai Lake, and the ecological environment was relatively fragile. The salinity showed a strong negative linear relationship with the I400/I360, I470/I360, I465/I399 and A4/A1, but a good negative linear relationship with the HIX(SSF). The results indicated that the degree of the SOM humification increased with the drop in the salinity. The HIX(SSF) can be an indicator not only of the degree of SOM humification, but also of the process of the salinisation.