Article
Environmental Sciences
M. Holbak, P. Abrahamsen, E. Diamantopoulos
Summary: The biopore module in the agrohydrological model Daisy was developed and tested against field measurements to simulate preferential water flow and pesticide leaching in soils. The results showed that the model satisfactorily simulated water flow and pesticide leaching, especially in describing high pesticide concentrations.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Yiming Li, Adrian D. Werner, Zhang Wen, Qi Zhu
Summary: This study investigates the impact of non-Darcian flow on solute plume distributions within fractures and faults. It reveals that non-Darcian models result in smaller flow line refraction and specific discharge in preferential flow features, leading to larger peak solute concentrations and narrower plumes compared to Darcian models. The study also shows that non-Darcian flow effects are more pronounced with smaller matrix hydraulic conductivity, larger PFF aperture, and larger incidence angle at the matrix-PFF interface.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eleni Stavropoulou, Lyesse Laloui
Summary: This study investigates the sealing efficiency of Opalinus Clay shale as a caprock for CO2 storage through experiments and image analysis. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the geomechanical response of the caprock material to CO2 injection and provide important insights for the safe design of CO2 injection strategies.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Shany Ben Moshe, Pauline Kessouri, Dana Erlich, Alex Furman
Summary: Breakthrough curves (BTCs) are a valuable tool for studying transport patterns in porous media, with SIP signals providing insight into changes in pore-water composition and ion exchange processes during BT experiments. The real and imaginary components of the SIP-based curves can detect the BT of non-reactive ions, the retarded BT of cations, and the initiation and termination of cation exchange reactions. Additionally, changes in complex conductivity components can indicate the presence of a coarser textured layer in heterogeneous profiles.
HYDROLOGY AND EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Christopher Zahasky, Sally M. Benson
Summary: This study investigates the multiphase flows and solute transport processes in porous media, and reveals the impact of geologic heterogeneity on capillary-driven transport. By using experiments and numerical models, the researchers observed how capillary-driven flow can carry solutes into low permeability regions, contrary to what is observed under fully saturated solute transport conditions.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Mirko Siegert, Marcel Gurris, Maxim Lebedev, Erik H. Saenger
Summary: A new model for determining permeability in sandstones under confining pressure is presented, based on digital rock physics and derived from a 3D tomographic scan. The model simulates pressure-dependent behavior by adding artificial flow resistance to pore throats, and simulations are conducted using an in-house finite-volume code. The model is tested on a Bentheim sandstone sample and compared with experimental data, and the influence of factors such as tomographic scan and numerical resolution is investigated. Overall, the proposed model can replicate general trends of experimental data, but the magnitude of numerically determined permeabilities can vary depending on the influencing factors.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Max Kozlov, Celeste Biever
Summary: A neural-network-based artificial intelligence surpasses ChatGPT in swiftly incorporating new words into its lexicon, a crucial aspect of human intelligence.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mingfeng Li, Jingjing Yao, Ru Yan, Jinhua Cheng
Summary: The study observed preferential flow and solute transport characteristics under different precipitation amounts in southwestern China through field experiments, demonstrating that precipitation promotes deep infiltration of dye tracers and affects the distribution of Br- and NO3- concentrations along preferential flow paths.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xuan Chen, Ruifen Liu, Defu Liu, Xiaokang Xin
Summary: The occurrence of preferential flow in vegetated artificial substrates can weaken the stormwater management performance of green roofs. The experiment found that rainfall intensity, plant species, and substrate depth all had significant effects on preferential flow, and a 10cm-deep Sedum lineare combination showed better control of preferential flow in green roofs.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Karlis Kukemilks, Jean-Frank Wagner
Summary: This study investigates the hydrogeological conditions of a landslide-prone hillslope in the Upper Mosel valley, Luxembourg. The research revealed that preferential flow paths on the hillslope are mainly caused by the dissolution of thin gypsum interlayers. By establishing a 3D hydrogeological model, it was found that a model with thin, laterally extending flowpaths embedded in a porous media matrix corresponded best with field observations.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Jia-Ming Zhang, Yi Luo, Zhi Zhou, Lily Chong, Chikhotkin Victor, Yu-Fei Zhang
Summary: Desiccation cracks on soil slopes can lead to increased permeability, reduced shear strength, and potential landslides. A study conducted full-scale model tests on a cracked soil slope under rainfall-evaporation cycles, revealing dynamic variations in crack patterns and preferential flow induced by the cracks during rainfall. The findings suggest the failure process of the cracked slope can be separated into three stages based on crack patterns and failure modes, highlighting the importance of considering dynamic changes within desiccation cracks when simulating seepage and stability, and implementing specific treatment measures to prevent slope failure at different stages.
ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Zhiqiang Cheng, De Zhang, Shengjia Xie, Pawel Polaczyk, Xiaoyang Jia, Tao Wang, Baoshan Huang, Ming Cai
Summary: In this study, a novel lab compaction method combining the effects of vibratory and gyratory compaction was proposed to better simulate the vibration and kneading effect of a steel-wheel roller. X-ray tomography was used to compare the air void distribution of in-situ core samples and laboratory-compacted samples by different compaction methods. The results showed that the combination of vibratory and gyratory compaction methods had a comparable air void distribution and compaction effect to the in-situ core samples.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
B. van den Bout, V. G. Jetten, C. J. van Westen, L. Lombardo
Summary: The current technological advancement does not allow for detailed spatial flood forecasts, hindering warning systems, planning tools, and detailed forecasts. Our novel method computes flood hazard maps significantly faster than current methods by using physically-based principles of steady-state flow to estimate relevant information for flood hazard. Performance indicators show similar or exceeding accuracy compared to traditional flow models. The method provides new perspective for flood hazards, flood risk reduction, and interactive hazard assessment systems. As climate change worsens flood hazard, this method brings efficiency to flood simulation. The method is freely available at www.fastflood.org.
ENVIRONMENTAL MODELLING & SOFTWARE
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Ning Guan, Jinhua Cheng, Xueqi Shi
Summary: The fragile ecological environment in the karst region of southwest China is mainly caused by vegetation degradation, which is influenced by preferential flow due to soil fissures and macropores. This study investigated the distribution and developmental characteristics of preferential flow and paths in local typical stands through field staining tracer experiments and image processing techniques. The results showed a high degree of preferential flow movement in the understorey soil moisture and variability among the forests, with secondary forests having the highest preferential flow degree. The preferential paths were mainly distributed above 15 cm, with a larger proportion of paths having a small influence radius.
Review
Engineering, Civil
Ahmad Behrouj Peely, Zargham Mohammadi, Ezzat Raeisi
Summary: Breakthrough curves (BTCs) are used as evidence to characterize karst aquifers, with a dual flow system and some connection between media. The use of the CFPv2 model allowed for evaluation of factors on BTCs in synthetic karst aquifers, while analysis of dye tracing tests in Iran showed peak concentration decreasing with conduit diameter increase, and peak concentration and timing changing with hydraulic gradient.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Jumpei Fukumasu, Nick Jarvis, John Koestel, Thomas Katterer, Mats Larsbo
Summary: This study explores the relationship between soil organic carbon (SOC) and pore size distribution (PSD) in arable soil. Using X-ray tomography and soil water retention, we quantified a wide range of PSD. The results show positive correlations between SOC and porosities in the 0.2-720 μm diameter classes. Porosities in the 0.2-5 μm and 480-720 μm diameter classes are more strongly correlated with SOC than clay. These findings have implications for improving estimates of the effects of SOC sequestration on soil water dynamics.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alejandro Romero-Ruiz, Niklas Linde, Ludovic Baron, Daniel Breitenstein, Thomas Keller, Dani Or
Summary: Characterizing and quantifying soil structure in the field remains a challenge despite its importance for hydrological and ecological soil functioning. This study expands the application of geoelectrical and time-domain reflectometry monitoring to infer the impacts of compaction on soil structure and function. The findings suggest that soil compaction leads to a decrease in soil electrical resistivity and drier soil conditions.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thomas Keller, Dani Or
Summary: Mechanization has led to the success of modern agriculture, but the increased weight of farm machinery has raised concerns about subsoil compaction. Research shows that 20% of arable land is at risk of chronic subsoil compaction, leading to potential loss of productivity. The study also suggests that prehistoric giants may have had similar effects on land productivity due to subsoil compaction.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Per Schjonning, Lars J. Munkholm, Mathieu Lamande
Summary: The compaction of subsoils is becoming increasingly problematic due to the increasing weight and power of field machinery. In a field experiment comparing two different machinery systems used in slurry application, it was found that the machinery had significant effects on soil properties, causing soil loosening and a decrease in rooting depth for crops.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Philippe Tschanz, Stefan Vogel, Achim Walter, Thomas Keller, Matthias Albrecht
Summary: Ground-nesting wild bees play a crucial role in pollinating wild plants and crops, impacting human wellbeing. This study in Switzerland found that arable fields are utilized for nesting by various bee species, with nest density being positively related to the proportion of bare ground and decreasing with distance from field edges. The findings suggest that maintaining small field sizes, increasing edge density, and reducing crop cover through increased row spacing can support ground-nesting bees in agricultural landscapes, potentially aided by floral-rich agri-environment scheme areas. Further research is needed to determine if tilled arable fields serve as suitable nesting habitats or ecological traps for ground-nesting bees.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
J. Klaminder, E. J. Krab, M. Larsbo, H. Jonsson, J. Fransson, J. Koestel
Summary: Human introductions of earthworms in the Arctic are causing significant changes in soil structure and macropore networks. This study used 3-D X-ray images to assess the effects of earthworms on soil cores in a mesocosm experiment in both shrub-dominated and herb-dominated tundra. The presence of earthworms increased macroporosity and reduced the fractal dimension of macropores, signifying a decrease in geometric complexity. These findings highlight the importance of considering earthworm-induced impacts on soil properties when predicting future changes in Arctic ecosystems.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Philippe Tschanz, John Koestel, Valerio Volpe, Matthias Albrecht, Thomas Keller
Summary: Most research on wild bees has focused on their role as pollinators, but their importance as soil ecosystem engineers has been largely overlooked. This study used X-ray computed tomography to examine the morphology and temporal evolution of ground-nesting bee burrows, and found significant differences between species. The study highlights the potential of X-ray imaging to gain insights into the underground life of ground-nesting bees and emphasizes their importance as soil ecosystem engineers.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Florian Walder, Lucie Buechi, Cameron Wagg, Tino Colombi, Samiran Banerjee, Juliane Hirte, Jochen Mayer, Johan Six, Thomas Keller, Raphael Charles, Marcel G. A. van Der Heijden
Summary: One of the critical challenges in agriculture is to enhance yield without compromising soil health and the environment. This study compared the effects of conventional, no-till, and organic management on production and soil health. The results suggest that organic management improves soil health but leads to lower yields, while no-till systems show intermediate results. The study highlights the importance of balanced approaches that combine crop diversification, organic amendments, and effective crop protection to achieve multifunctional agroecosystems.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
A. Calleja-Huerta, M. Lamande, O. Green, L. J. Munkholm
Summary: This experiment aimed to study the vertical and horizontal stresses during repeated wheeling from a lightweight autonomous robot and compare the measurements with calculations. The results showed a significant increase in mean ground pressure with repeated wheeling, measured values of maximum vertical stresses were 32% larger than the ones predicted by the model. These findings suggest that using static loads from this machine as inputs in models can result in inaccurate predictions of soil-tyre interface parameters.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
A. Calleja-Huerta, M. Lamande, O. Green, L. J. Munkholm
Summary: The increasing size of agricultural machinery has led to increased risk of soil compaction. Lightweight autonomous robots have been proposed as a solution, but they may increase the area affected by traffic and repeated wheeling. This study evaluated the effects of load and repeated wheeling from a lightweight autonomous robot on soil physical properties. The results showed that load configuration and the number of passes both had significant effects on rut depth, apparent cohesion, penetration resistance, air permeability, and effective air-filled porosity.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Meisam Nazari, Emmanuel Arthur, Mathieu Lamande, Thomas Keller, Nataliya Bilyera, Samuel Bickel
Summary: Predicting, preventing, and minimizing soil compaction caused by machinery is crucial in forest ecosystems. This meta-analysis examined the susceptibility of forest soils to wood-harvesting-induced compaction across different climatic zones and found that tropical and temperate forests are the most vulnerable. Forest managers and policymakers should prioritize mechanized wood-harvesting operations in these zones due to the long recovery time of compacted forest soils.
CURRENT FORESTRY REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Guillaume Blanchy, Lukas Albrecht, Gilberto Bragato, Sarah Garre, Nicholas Jarvis, John Koestel
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between soil hydraulic conductivity and saturation, and evaluated the effects of land use and soil management. Methodological details had a significant impact on the results. Climate factors were found to be more correlated with topsoil hydraulic conductivity than soil texture, bulk density, and organic carbon content.
HYDROLOGY AND EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Guillaume Blanchy, Lukas Albrecht, John Koestel, Sarah Garre
Summary: Summarizing information from large bodies of scientific literature is an essential but work-intensive task. This study explores three NLP techniques (topic modeling, tailored regular expressions, and the shortest dependency path method) to support evidence synthesis tasks. The results show that all three tested NLP techniques are able to support this task and have the potential for automated updating as new publications become available.
Review
Soil Science
Lucas Carvalho Gomes, Amelie Marie Beucher, Anders Bjorn Moller, Bo V. Iversen, Christen Duus Borgesen, Diana Vigah Adetsu, Gasper Laurent Sechu, Goswin Johann Heckrath, Julian Koch, Kabindra Adhikari, Maria Knadel, Mathieu Lamande, Mette Balslev Greve, Niels H. Jensen, Sebastian Gutierrez, Thomas Balstrom, Triven Koganti, Yannik Roell, Yi Peng, Mogens Humlekrog Greve
Summary: This article reviews the evolution of soil and environmental assessments in Denmark and discusses their contributions to spatial understanding of soil functions. Denmark has benefited from a government-coordinated approach, conducting national soil surveys and environmental monitoring programs that have supported the mapping of soil properties and functions. However, there is a lack of spatial information on soil biodiversity. Detailed spatial information about soil functions is crucial for addressing global issues.
FRONTIERS IN SOIL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Lin Liu, Yili Lu, Robert Horton, Tusheng Ren
Summary: A new approach is presented in this study to estimate the parameters of the soil water retention curve (SWRC). The new method accurately estimates SWRCs by using measured thermal conductivity-water content curves, soil texture, bulk density, and field capacity water content.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Zhongshan Dai, Yong Zhang, Yujie Wei, Chongfa Cai
Summary: This study investigates the effects of erosion degradation and long-term manure fertilization on soil properties and crop yield in Northeast China. Results show that erosion degradation and manure fertilization have lasting impacts on soil physical structure throughout the soil profile, while their effects on soil nutrient properties are focused in shallow layers. Manure fertilization significantly improves soil functional index (ISI) and maize yield for degraded soils. Erosion degradation has a greater influence on ISI and maize yield than manure fertilization.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Xintong Xu, Ruiyu Bi, Mengxin Song, Yubing Dong, Ying Jiao, Bingxue Wang, Zhengqin Xiong
Summary: The substitution of organic fertilizers for inorganic fertilizers has a significant impact on soil organic carbon (SOC) and can help combat soil degradation and climate change in intensive vegetable production.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Moritz Koza, Roger Funk, Julia Poehlitz, Christopher Conrad, Olga Shibistova, Tobias Meinel, Kanat Akshalov, Gerd Schmidt
Summary: Semi-arid regions in Central Asia are experiencing wind erosion due to steppe conversion and unsustainable farming practices. A study conducted in Kazakhstan used a mobile wind tunnel to assess soil erodibility under real conditions. The results showed significant differences in soil erosion based on initial conditions and mechanical stress, emphasizing the importance of proper soil management to prevent severe events.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Tong Li, Guorui Li, Zhiqiang Lu, Deqiang Zhao, Yuze Li, Ziting Wang, Xiaoxia Wen, Yuncheng Liao
Summary: Conservation agriculture with three management principles is effective in mitigating soil erosion and nutrient loss. This study found that no tillage significantly increased soil extracellular enzyme activities, while legume incorporation only had a significant effect on phosphorus-acquiring enzymes. Crop diversity positively influenced the no tillage-induced increase in enzyme activities.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Zahra Khasi, Mohammad Sadegh Askari, Setareh Amanifar, Kamran Moravej
Summary: This research aims to evaluate the applicability of visual soil evaluation methods for agricultural systems in semi-arid regions and assess the relationship between soil physical quality and crop yield. The results indicate that visual evaluation methods can effectively assess soil conditions, and optimal soil structural quality is crucial for sustainable crop production.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Amin Jannatul Ferdous, Xiaolin Wang, Katie Lewis, John Zak
Summary: Conservative agricultural management strategies can enhance crop productivity by altering soil microbiome, and incorporating legumes into cover crops in semi-arid regions can improve the dynamics of rhizobial communities. There is a strong underlying relationship between soil management and bacterial diversity in the soil.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Haiman Wang, Wankui Ni, Haisong Liu, Kangze Yuan
Summary: This study investigates the structural strength of the Loess-Paleosol Sequence (LPS) and finds that the strength tends to increase with burial depth, with the loess layer weaker than the paleosol layer. The microstructure of the LPS also undergoes significant transformations with increased burial depth, transitioning from an overhead structure to a matrix structure. These findings highlight the importance of climate conditions on the structural strength of the LPS.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Ranabir Chakraborty, V. K. Sharma, Debarup Das, D. R. Biswas, P. Mahapatra, D. K. Shahi, M. Barman, K. A. Chobhe, D. Chakraborty
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of long-term nutrient management practices on P fractions and P adsorption-desorption behaviour of an acid soil with a soybean-wheat cropping system. The findings revealed that amorphous Fe and Al, which play a significant role in P fixation, increased due to cultivation. The NPK+Lime treatment offered the most balanced approach, improving both crop yield and P uptake while effectively managing P dynamics in the soil. On the contrary, long-term application of NPK+FYM in an acid soil may result in faster P saturation of adsorption sites and increase the chances of leaching and eutrophication. Tailored P fertilization strategies should be developed to better utilize the PFe and PAl fractions and supplementing applied P.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Yuan Li, Ying Li, Qingping Zhang, Gang Xu, Guopeng Liang, Dong-Gill Kim, Carmen Rosa Carmona, Mei Yang, Jianming Xue, Yangzhou Xiang, Bin Yao, Yuying Shen
Summary: Agricultural intensification has led to severe degradation of croplands in China. Converting degraded croplands to grasslands can increase soil organic carbon and nitrogen content, but may decrease soil pH and available phosphorus. The duration of conversion and mean annual precipitation are major factors influencing soil changes.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Xinliang Wu, Sixu Yao, Jinxing Zhou
Summary: The coupling effect of slaking and mechanical breakdown on aggregate stability was evaluated using a new method. This method can partition the unique and shared effects of these two breakdown mechanisms and showed better performance in predicting soil erosion compared to existing methods.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Xinni Ju, Lei Gao, Dongli She, Yuhua Jia, Zhe Pang, Yaji Wang
Summary: This study linked soil pore structures quantified by X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning and infiltration processes traced using stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes under different land uses in the red soil region of southern China. The results showed that soil pore characteristics mainly affected soil water transport, while other soil properties played more important roles in soil water retention. CT-based porosity and soil texture were considered crucial indicators in the evaluation of water exchange during infiltration processes.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Hongwei Xu, Qing Qu, Jiaping Yang, Zhen Wang, Minggang Wang, Rentao Liu, Sha Xue
Summary: This study systematically analyzed the effects of drought on terrestrial ecosystem C-N-P stoichiometry on a global scale. The results showed that drought significantly decreased the C:N ratio in soil, enzymes, shoots, and roots. Soil microbes were limited by N, whereas plants were restricted by P under drought stress. Drought intensity and duration were negatively correlated with shoot N:P and vector angle.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Sara L. Bauke, Sabine J. Seidel, Miriam Athmann, Anne E. Berns, Melanie Braun, Martina I. Gocke, Julien Guigue, Timo Kautz, Ingrid Koegel-Knabner, Juliette Ohan, Matthias Rillig, Michael Schloter, Oliver Schmittmann, Stefanie Schulz, David Uhlig, Andrea Schnepf, Wulf Amelung
Summary: Agricultural production in Central Europe is increasingly affected by extreme drought events. This study found that incorporating organic matter, especially biowaste compost, into the subsoil significantly increased root growth and subsequently improved crop nutrient uptake, biomass, and grain yield. The incorporation of green waste compost had less pronounced effects.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Xi Chen, Xuesong Wang
Summary: Based on the application of the integrated wind erosion modeling system, this study comprehensively simulated the loss and conservation of nutrients during aeolian dust emissions in the arid and semiarid areas of China. The results showed a decreasing trend in nutrient losses over the past two decades, with the ecosystems playing a crucial role in preventing these losses. The prevention rates of different land cover types were generally high, indicating the effectiveness of conservation measures.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)