scholarly journals The role of vegetation in the redistribution of infiltration in a semi-arid zone

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Berenice Garcia Perez ◽  
Enrique Gonzalez Sosa ◽  
Pascal Breil ◽  
Isabelle Braud
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Particle Size Distribution ◽  
Soil Texture ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
The Other ◽  
Initial Water Content ◽  
Initial Water ◽  
Infiltration Rates ◽  
Infiltration Tests ◽  
Semi Arid

<p>The effect of vegetation on the volumes of water that infiltrates into the soil has been extensively studied, but not the redistribution that occurs radially from trees. This is especially important in arid and semi-arid areas where water volumes are scarce and water resources management must be more scrupulous. In the present study, the influence of native vegetation (huizache trees) on the redistribution of infiltration in a semi-arid zone in the central Mexican plateau was analyzed. Single ring infiltration tests were carried out with a radial distribution in 2 trees: 4 located inside the crown of the tree and 4 outside it, in 4 different axes, giving a total of 32 tests per tree. Likewise, particle size distribution and soil texture analysis were carried out in 4 orthogonal directions and dry bulk density and initial water content tests at each sampling point were performed. The results showed a zone of influence located between r / 2 and r of the tree canopy, where the infiltration is much greater compared to the other points. Based on these results, the methodology for a third tree was redesigned, in order to characterize various infiltration areas. So that 3 zones were established within the tree: near, intermediate and far, taking 2 tests in each zone, in orthogonal direction, and taking a test in each zone of 4 additional axes, a total of 36 tests. The results of the infiltration tests with this methodology showed similar results to the other two trees: low infiltration rates close to the tree trunk, high infiltration rates in the area between r / 2 and r of the canopy and again low rates of infiltration in the area outside the crown. Additionally, the particle size distribution analyzes showed the presence of 4 types of soil: loam, sandy-loam, clay-loam and silt-loam soil. On the other hand, the initial water content and dry bulk density do not seem to affect the infiltration process to a greater extent and they vary indiscriminately. The above suggests that the area between r / 2 and r is the one that captures the highest infiltration volumes, it may be due to the shadow effect produced by the treetops, although the soil texture has an influence on the infiltration rates, it does not influence the form of radial redistribution of tree infiltration.</p>

X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for rapid screening of particle size in soils

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maame Croffie ◽  
Paul N. Williams ◽  
Owen Fenton ◽  
Anna Fenelon ◽  
Karen Daly
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Particle Size Distribution ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Soil Texture ◽  
Particle Size Analysis ◽  
Parent Material ◽  
Fluorescence Spectrometry ◽  
Rapid Screening ◽  
Size Analysis ◽  
X Ray

<p>Soil texture is an essential factor for effective land management in agricultural production. Knowledge of soil texture and particle size at field scale can aid with on-going soil management decisions. Standard soil physical and gravimetric methods for particle size analysis are time-consuming and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) provides a rapid and cost-effective alternative. The objective of this study was to explore the use of XRF as a predictor for particle size. An extensive archive of Irish soils with particle size and soil texture data was used to select samples for XRF analysis. Regression and correlation analyses on XRF determined results showed that the relationship between Rb and % clay varied with soil type and was dependent on the parent material. There was a strong relationship (R > 0.62, R<sup>2</sup>>0.30, p<0.05) between Rb and clay for soils originating from bedrock such as limestones and slate. Contrastingly, no significant relationship (R<0.03, R<sup>2</sup>=0.00, p>0.05) exists between Rb and % clay for soils originating from granite and gneiss. Furthermore, there was a significant negative correlation (p<0.05) between Rb and % sand. The XRF is a useful technique for rough screening of particle size distribution in soils originating from certain parent materials. Thus, this may contribute to the rapid prediction of soil texture based on knowledge of the particle size distribution.</p><p> </p>

On the Mechanism and the Rate of Sub-Ground Erosion in the Loess Material

2011 ◽  
Vol 233-235 ◽  
pp. 2528-2531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xi An Li ◽  
Qiang Xu ◽  
Hong Zhou Lin ◽  
Wan Jun Ye
Keyword(s):  
Critical Condition ◽  
Theoretical Basis ◽  
Field Survey ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
The Other ◽  
Initial Water Content ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Erosion Process ◽  
Initial Water ◽  
The Relationship

Sub-ground erosion often resulted in severe problems in various engineering constructions, most of which is due to the sub-erosion in loess. In this paper, the critical condition of “soil bursting” was analyzed and the formula describing the critical condition of soil bursting was derivated by the analytical method. Furthermore, the velocity of tunnel-erosion in loess and its influential factors were studied. A set of tests are designed to study the relationship between the tunnel-erosion velocity and the key influential factors. The key factors considered in the test include soil density as well as the initial water content. The other purpose is to reveal the characteristics of the tunnel-erosion process. Phenomena observed during the tests together with the data from field survey revealed the mechanism of tunneling in loess very well, and the work in this paper formed a theoretical basis for further study about sub-ground erosion in loess.

scholarly journals Laser Diffraction as An Innovative Alternative to Standard Pipette Method for Determination of Soil Texture Classes in Central Europe

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1232
Author(s):  
Dušan Igaz ◽  
Elena Aydin ◽  
Miroslava Šinkovičová ◽  
Vladimír Šimanský ◽  
Andrej Tall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Particle Size Distribution ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Soil Texture ◽  
Polynomial Regression ◽  
Texture Classification ◽  
Size Fraction ◽  
Laser Diffraction ◽  
Classification Systems ◽  
Particle Size Fraction

The paper presents the comparison of soil particle size distribution determined by standard pipette method and laser diffraction. Based on the obtained results (542 soil samples from 271 sites located in the Nitra, Váh and Hron River basins), regression models were calculated to convert the results of the particle size distribution by laser diffraction to pipette method. Considering one of the most common soil texture classification systems used in Slovakia (according to Novák), the emphasis was placed on the determination accuracy of particle size fraction <0.01 mm. Analysette22 MicroTec plus and Mastersizer2000 devices were used for laser diffraction. Polynomial regression model resulted in the best approximation of measurements by laser diffraction to values obtained by pipette method. In the case of particle size fraction <0.01 mm, the differences between the measured values by pipette method and both laser analyzers ranged in average from 3% up to 9% and from 2% up to 11% in the case of Analysette22 and Mastersizer2000, respectively. After correction, the differences decreased to average 3.28% (Analysette22) and 2.24% (Mastersizer2000) in comparison with pipette method. After recalculation of the data, laser diffraction can be used alongside the sedimentation methods.

scholarly journals Change in Soil Particle Size Distribution and Erodibility with Latitude and Vegetation Restoration Chronosequence on the Loess Plateau, China

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiaying Zhai ◽  
Yahui Song ◽  
Wulan Entemake ◽  
Hongwei Xu ◽  
Yang Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Particle Size Distribution ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Loess Plateau ◽  
Soil Texture ◽  
Steppe Zone ◽  
Soil Erodibility ◽  
The Loess Plateau ◽  
Capacity Dimension ◽  
Restoration Age

Analyzing the dynamics of soil particle size distribution (PSD) and erodibility is important for understanding the changes of soil texture and quality after cropland abandonment. This study aimed to determine how restoration age and latitude affect soil erodibility and the multifractal dimensions of PSD during natural recovery. We collected soil samples from grassland, shrubland, and forests with different restoration ages in the steppe zone (SZ), forest-steppe zone (FSZ), and forest zone (FZ). Various analyses were conducted on the samples, including multifractal analysis and erodibility analysis. Our results showed that restoration age had no significant effect on the multifractal dimensions of PSD (capacity dimension (D0), information dimension (D1), information dimension/capacity dimension ratio (D1/D0), correlation dimension (D2)), and soil erodibility. Multifractal dimensions tended to increase, while soil erodibility tended to decrease, with restoration age. Latitude was negatively correlated with fractal dimensions (D0, D2) and positively correlated with K and D1/D0. During vegetation restoration, restoration age, precipitation, and temperature affect the development of vegetation, resulting in differences in soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, soil texture, and soil enzyme activity, and by affecting soil structure to change the soil stability. This study revealed the impact of restoration age and latitude on soil erosion in the Loess Plateau.

The role of permanent site factors in the assessment of soil treatment effects: A case study with a site preparation trial in jack pine plantations on glacial outwashes

2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Marquis ◽  
D. Paré
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Particle Size Distribution ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Soil Texture ◽  
Quality Index ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Pine Plantations ◽  
Site Quality

In silvicultural trials, the confounding influence of permanent soil properties is assumed to be minimal. A covariance analysis using total elemental concentrations of parent material (geochemistry) and soil particle size distribution (texture) was used to understand the role that these variables could play in tree growth and foliar nutrient status, and in the growth response to site preparation of 16- to18-yr-old jack pine plantations growing on seemingly homogeneous glacial outwash deposits. Three treatments were tested in a replicated design: direct plantation, and site preparation with TTS or with Bräcke. The combination of particle size distribution and soil geochemistry explained the site quality index (SQI) in control plots (R2 = 0.94) better than soil texture alone. In all plots, SQI was strongly related to K and Mg concentrations in foliage and in humus and, to a lesser degree, to foliar N concentrations. A covariance analysis using soil texture and geochemical composition indicated that while site preparation had an effect on tree growth, the sites that responded the most to site preparation were the ones with the lowest growth potential as determined by soil texture and geochemistry. Key words: Silviculture, site preparation, site quality index, growth, permanent soil factors, texture, geochemistry, nutrition

The influence of particle size distribution on soil physical properties

1986 ◽  
Vol 106 (3) ◽  
pp. 527-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. D. Towner
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Particle Size Distribution ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
The Other ◽  
Saturated Soils ◽  
Fine Silt ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Field Behaviour

SummaryBatcombe series soils readily break down to good tilths, Beccles series soils form cloddy seed beds that are resistant to weathering, and Stackyard series soils form unstable tilths that readily break down. The soils differ in their particle-size distribution. The proposition that such differences contributed to the differences in field behaviour was examined by forming artificial soils, each of which was made up from particles of one of the soils, but redistributed with respect to size in the proportion in which they occurred in one of the other soils.As a measure of the relevant physical properties, breaking strengths and bulk densities of cylindrical ‘clods’ moulded from the artificial soils were determined. To aid interpretation of the observed soil properties, similar measurements were made on individual fractions, on various other mixtures and on the parent soils.The breaking strengths of the soils made up to a given particle-size distribution from particles from the different parent soils were reasonably close to each other, with those for the Beccles distribution being more variable. There was a significant difference between the two. The strength of the reconstituted Batcombe soil was markedly greater than that of its parent soil, whereas that for Beccles soil was markedly less. There was little difference for the Stackyard soil.The bulk densities of saturated soils reconstituted from all nine fractions could be estimated reasonably accurately from the properties of the separate components. The structure of each of these soils in the air-dry state was inferred from comparisons between measured and calculated bulk densities. The breaking strengths of air-dry reconstituted soils were estimated from the properties of the separate components, and agreed reasonably well with the measured values for soils in which the clay and fine silt fractions predominated.Whereas it was generally possible to predict various physical properties of the reconstituted soils from those of the separate fractions, it was not possible to extrapolate the results to explain field behaviour.

scholarly journals On soil textural classifications and soil texture-based estimations

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Ángel Martín ◽  
Yakov A. Pachepsky ◽  
Carlos García-Gutiérrez ◽  
Miguel Reyes
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Particle Size ◽  
Particle Size Distribution ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Texture ◽  
Fine Sand ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Medium Sand ◽  
Texture Representation

Abstract. The soil texture representation with the standard textural fraction triplet 'sand-silt-clay' is commonly used to estimate soil properties. The objective of this work was to test the hypothesis that other fraction sizes in the triplets may provide better representation of soil texture for estimating some soil parameters. We estimated the cumulative particle size distribution and bulk density from entropy-based representation of the textural triplet with experimental data for 6300 soil samples. Results supported the hypothesis. For example, simulated distributions were not significantly different from the original ones in 25 and 85 % of cases when the 'sand-silt-sand' and 'very coarse+coarse + medium sand – fine +very fine sand – silt+clay', were used, respectively. When the same standard and modified triplets were used to estimate the average bulk density, the coefficients of determination were 0.001 and 0.967, respectively. Overall, the textural triplet selection appears to be application- and data-specific.

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