Article
Environmental Sciences
Behzad Ghanbarian, Brandon A. Yokeley
Summary: Grouping soils based on similarities in their textural, taxonomic, and/or structural properties has broad applications to pedology, hydrology, and soil science. In this study, a new approach for classifying soils using hydraulic conductivity data was presented, and eight different soil classes were identified within the studied data set by calculating critical pore sizes and grouping soils with similar characteristics.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Fatma Louati, Houcem Trabelsi, Yahya Alassaf, Mehrez Jamei, Said Taibi
Summary: This paper aims to experimentally study the unsaturated permeability (K-unsat) of a clayey soil during desiccation. It was demonstrated that K-unsat was well related to the initial state in terms of density and moisture content. When the suction reaches the entry suction value, K-unsat decreases when the suction increases without the appearance of desiccation cracks. Otherwise, it increases with the growing intensity of the cracks.
BULLETIN OF ENGINEERING GEOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Leonardo Maria Lalicata, Agostino Walter Bruno, Domenico Gallipoli
Summary: This paper presents an analytical method that predicts the horizontal capacity of piles in unsaturated soils. The method extends the Broms approach to account for the combined effect of the groundwater table and the apparent cohesion of the unsaturated soil. It calculates the maximum horizontal force and bending moment sustained by the pile for different head fixities, considering non-dimensional parameters related to the pile's geometry, flexural resistance, soil resistance, and failure mechanism. The proposed method accurately predicts the lateral capacity of piles, emphasizing the importance of considering the partially saturated state of the soil.
COMPUTERS AND GEOTECHNICS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Suman Roy, Sathiyamoorthy Rajesh
Summary: In this study, a novel tensile strength framework is proposed to determine the tensile strength characteristic curve (TSCC) of both coarse- and fine-grained soils over the entire saturation range. The variation of the parameters for the TSCC model for different types of soils, testing methods, and sample preparation methodologies is critically assessed. The proposed framework is validated with experimental data sets for both coarse- and fine-grained soils, showing good agreement in most cases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEOMECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Zhiqiang Lin, Jiangu Qian, Zhenhao Shi
Summary: This study introduces a novel model to estimate the shear strength of expansive soils. Experimental results show a linear relationship between capillary suction stress and shear strength, but the friction angle contributed to shear strength is different from the internal friction angle of saturated soils.
COMPUTERS AND GEOTECHNICS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Sannith Kumar Thota, Toan Duc Cao, Farshid Vahedifard
Summary: The paper introduces the concept of Poisson's ratio characteristic curve (PRCC) to establish the relationship between Poisson's ratio and degree of saturation. Through calibration and validation, the proposed model can accurately predict the behavior of soils, leading to more accurate assessments in geotechnical engineering applications.
JOURNAL OF GEOTECHNICAL AND GEOENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Arash Azizi, Ashutosh Kumar, David Geoffrey Toll
Summary: This paper discusses the cyclic and water retention response of a clayey sand subjected to repetitive cyclic loading and wetting stages. The results show that the accumulated permanent strains and resilient modulus of the tested soil are dependent on the suction level while the main wetting water retention curve of the soil dictates the variation of the suction measured during cyclic loading and wetting. A void ratio dependent water retention model is developed accounting for the observed bounding effect and employed to predict the measured suction during repetitive cyclic loading and wetting. The suction values predicted by the void ratio dependent water retention model are in good agreement with the experimental data. The results imply that predictive frameworks proposed for the cyclic behaviour of road and railway formation layers require water retention counterparts that incorporate the bounding effect of void ratio on soil water retention curves.
Article
Soil Science
You Gao, Ze Li, De'an Sun, Haihao Yu
Summary: Reliable estimation of unsaturated soil hydraulic properties is crucial for various research and engineering projects. The study evaluated hydraulic hysteresis and permeability of unsaturated soil with different void ratios or bulk densities. Results showed that the proposed hysteresis model effectively describes the drying, wetting, and scanning curves at different void ratios, and the permeability model predicts the relative permeability coefficient accurately.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Peijun Li, Yuanyuan Zha, Bingxin Zuo, Yonggen Zhang
Summary: This study proposes a series of models that can describe the soil water retention curves with improved performance in characterizing water retention data for different soil textures without introducing additional parameters. These models can also capture the observed local extrema in the moisture capacity curves and show superior performance in characterizing hydraulic conductivities, especially in macropore regimes. The study also analyzes the parameter-equivalent conversion between the proposed and existing models.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Gianluca Bella
Summary: The research explores the hydraulic behavior of tailings in unsaturated conditions, finding that denser tailings exhibit better water retention capability, and increasing fine content also improves water retention capability. Additionally, different preparation methods have a significant impact on the hydro-mechanical response of tailings.
GEOMECHANICS AND ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Ecology
M. Zavala, H. Saucedo, V Castanedo
Summary: Soil hydraulic characterization is crucial for studying water infiltration, redistribution, and percolation in partially saturated soils. This study presents a mechanistic methodology based on volumetric porosity, soil granulometric curve, transient water flow event analysis (vertical infiltration), and drainage due to gravity. A numerical model using the one-dimensional Richards equation is developed to describe vertical infiltration. The methodology is also applied to characterize the hydrodynamics of three types of soil.
APPLIED ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Yusen Zhang, Lunjiang Wang, Jing Yang, Qing Wang
Summary: Wildfires increase stemflow velocity by 30-40%. Stemflow velocity is positively related to stemflow rate and tends to increase with stem height. Pine bark fissure depth and width are negatively related to stemflow velocity. Wildfires reduce soil internal friction angle and cohesion by up to 32% and 62% respectively. Enhanced stemflow velocity can cause soil erosion around the base of the trunk.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Jing Jing, Jingming Hou, Wen Sun, Guangzhao Chen, Yue Ma, Guoqiang Ji
Summary: In this study, a soil-water characteristic curve test of unsaturated loess was conducted, and a prediction model was used to obtain the curve between the volumetric water content and unsaturated permeability coefficient. The results show that dry-wet cycles affect slope stability by changing the volumetric water content and unsaturated loess permeability coefficient. The study also found that the number of cycles, rainfall intensity, and duration all have an impact on slope stability.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Zhiqiang Lin, Jiangu Qian, Zhenhao Shi, Qian Zhai
Summary: This study examines the uniqueness of strength parameters for coarse- and fine-grained unsaturated soils with bimodal soil-water retention curves (SWRCs) using the suction stress concept. The results show that both types of soils exhibit a bilinear strength envelope in the suction stress-shear strength plane, which differs from unsaturated soils with unimodal SWRC.
ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Behrooz Daneshian, Ghassem Habibagahi, Ehsan Nikooee
Summary: Hydraulic conductivity of unsaturated soils is crucial for modeling various phenomena, and is influenced by factors such as soil water content and pore connectivity. Current predictive models do not adequately consider pore connectivity, while pore network models offer a more realistic portrayal of soil characteristics.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anna L. Hermes, Brian A. Ebel, Sheila F. Murphy, Eve-Lyn S. Hinckley
Summary: The study investigated the bio-geochemical fingerprints of sulfur and carbon in the Napa River Watershed in California, showing the interacting effects of wildfire and land use on watershed sulfur and carbon cycling.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Matthew A. Thomas, Francis K. Rengers, Jason W. Kean, Luke A. McGuire, Dennis M. Staley, Katherine R. Barnhart, Brian A. Ebel
Summary: This study analyzes the potential for debris flows after wildfires over time and proposes a method to improve awareness of post-wildfire debris flow hazards. The research finds that rainfall intensity and duration are closely related to the types of debris flows following wildfires, while factors such as soil moisture, rainfall climatology, and root reinforcement may also impact the probability of debris flows.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-EARTH SURFACE
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
John R. Nimmo, Kim S. Perkins, Michelle R. Plampin, Michelle A. Walvoord, Brian A. Ebel, Benjamin B. Mirus
Summary: The unsaturated zone plays a crucial role in land and water resource management by controlling water flow and reducing vulnerability to contaminants. Rapid flow and transport in the unsaturated zone are becoming more common due to extreme hydroclimatic events, yet they are poorly understood. Scaling issues pose challenges in accurately representing these processes at larger spatial scales.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Civil
Joseph W. Wagenbrenner, Brian A. Ebel, Kevin D. Bladon, Alicia M. Kinoshita
Summary: Research on post-fire hydrologic recovery in Mediterranean climates shows uncertainty in recovery time and lacks a consistent definition. Studies reveal that 18 sites were considered recovered within seven years, but recovery time varied inconsistently across locations, unrelated to location, response variable, or study design.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Brian A. Ebel, John A. Moody, Deborah A. Martin
Summary: Burn severity has a significant impact on soil-hydraulic properties after wildfires, influencing soil-physical properties and ground cover composition. However, the trends in soil-hydraulic properties were found to be less affected by initial burn severity, highlighting the complex relationships between burn severity, soil properties, and infiltration models.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Joshua C. Koch, Matthew J. Bogard, David E. Butman, Kerri Finlay, Brian Ebel, Jason James, Sarah Ellen Johnston, M. Torre Jorgenson, Neal J. Pastick, Robert G. M. Spencer, Robert Striegl, Michelle Walvoord, Kimberly P. Wickland
Summary: Climate change is causing the thawing of permafrost soils in northern circumpolar landscapes, potentially releasing large quantities of organic carbon (OC) into the environment. However, the extent and mechanisms of OC mobilization and terrestrial-aquatic transfer are not well understood.
GLOBAL BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Natalie M. Collar, Samuel Saxe, Brian A. Ebel, Kathryn S. Boden, Ashley J. Rust, Terri S. Hogue
Summary: The impact of wildfire on water availability is a critical issue in the western United States. The study found that fire-induced reductions in actual evapotranspiration (ETa) can lead to increased post-fire discharge. The effect of wildfire on streamflow magnitude varies seasonally and is more pronounced in basins with larger burned areas. The results highlight the higher relative risk of fire-induced hydro-modification for water providers with small source-water collection areas.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Brian A. Ebel
Summary: More measurements are needed in post-fire infiltration studies; effect size is the primary control on statistical power; steady state rainfall simulation method has greater statistical power compared to other measurement methods.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
David M. Rey, Martin A. Briggs, Michelle A. Walvoord, Brian A. Ebel
Summary: Increasingly severe and frequent wildfires in the western United States may change the quantity, timing, and quality of water exported by streams from burned areas. However, the effects of wildfires on groundwater recharge, changes in subsurface routing, and their consequences for stream low flows sourced predominantly by baseflow are poorly understood. This study demonstrates the use of temperature signals to identify changes in watershed subsurface flow contributions after fire and provides a framework for water management, impacts on aquatic habitat, and post-wildfire response planning.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Brian A. Ebel, Zachary M. Shephard, Michelle A. Walvoord, Sheila F. Murphy, Trevor F. Partridge, Kim S. Perkins
Summary: Wildfires are an increasing concern due to climate change, and their hydrologic effects are being studied using numerical models. This review examines the use of physically based distributed models to understand water resources after wildfires, focusing on geographic/ecohydrologic distribution, representation of hydrologic processes, model parameterization, and model performance. There are opportunities for improvement, such as applying models in underrepresented regions, incorporating all streamflow generation mechanisms, and integrating vegetation regrowth models with hydrologic models.
Article
Water Resources
Sheila F. Murphy, Charles N. Alpers, Chauncey W. Anderson, J. Ryan Banta, Johanna M. Blake, Kurt D. Carpenter, Gregory D. Clark, David W. Clow, Laura A. Hempel, Deborah A. Martin, Michael R. Meador, Gregory O. Mendez, Anke B. Mueller-Solger, Marc A. Stewart, Sean E. Payne, Cara L. Peterman, Brian A. Ebel
Summary: Wildfires pose a risk to water supplies due to potential degradation of water quality, but a lack of data hinders prediction and assessment of post-wildfire impacts. Strategic monitoring and selection of sampling locations based on specific criteria can enhance assessment and prediction of post-wildfire water quality. Improved estimates of post-wildfire effects on water quality would help mitigate impacts on water supplies.
FRONTIERS IN WATER
(2023)
Article
Water Resources
Brian A. Ebel, Joseph W. Wagenbrenner, Alicia M. Kinoshita, Kevin D. Bladon
Summary: Deviations in hydrologic processes caused by wildfires can impact streamflow, affecting peak flows and low flows. These changes can have consequences for water supplies, including quantity, quality, and timing. Post-fire shifts in hydrologic processes can also alter the timing and magnitude of floods and debris flows. The duration of hydrologic recovery is a critical concern for land, water, and emergency managers.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY AND HYDROMECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Haihua Wang, Huaiyang Ke, Hongping Wu, Siyuan Ma, Muhammad Mohsin Altaf, Xiaoping Diao
Summary: Carbon storage in mangroves is crucial for mitigating climate change, but our understanding of this aspect is limited. This study investigated the seasonal changes in the carbon metabolic profile of microbial communities in mangrove soils on Hainan Island, China, and found that season plays a critical role in shaping the carbon functional diversity of microbial communities.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Donghui Zhao, Congcong Shen, Zhi-Ming Zhang, Jichen Wang, Li-Mei Zhang, Baodong Chen, Guo-Xin Sun, Yuan Ge
Summary: By studying soil samples from different slope directions along an elevational gradient in a mountain ecosystem, we found that soil bacterial diversity and microbial functions exhibit distinct elevational patterns, which are consistent across slope directions. The bacterial diversity shows a hump-shaped pattern, while microbial functions exhibit a linear increasing trend. Additionally, the beta diversity pattern of soil bacteria is significantly influenced by elevational distance decay relationships. Soil bacterial diversity patterns are determined by transitions in community assembly processes, whereas microbial functions are mainly influenced by bacterial community composition.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Guanfang Sun, Yan Zhu, Wei Mao, Yonghong Li, Jinzhong Yang, Zhaoliang Gao
Summary: This study developed a water and salt balance model to predict long-term water and salt dynamics in seasonally frozen arid agricultural regions. The model was validated in a region in China and showed that increasing autumn irrigation water can decrease soil salinity during the irrigation period, but has limited impact on long-term average soil salinity.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Alfredo Mayoral, Ana Ejarque, Arnau Garcia-Molsosa, Mercourios Georgiadis, Giannis Apostolou, Vincent Gaertner, Constantina Kallintzi, Eurydice Kefalidou, Hector Orengo
Summary: This paper presents an integrated Geoarchaeological approach to studying the landscape change and socio-environmental interaction around ancient Abdera. The study uses a combination of remote sensing, geomorphological mapping, sedimentary coring, and radiocarbon dating to reconstruct the palaeogeographic evolution of the area. The results challenge previous narratives about the rise and decline of Abdera and provide new insights into the role of historical and environmental factors. It also introduces evidence of submerged Neolithic landscapes and the impact of anthropogenic forcing on the sedimentary systems.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Jiale Chen, Michael Dannenmann, Qiang Yu, Yalong Shi, Matthew D. Wallenstein, Xinguo Han, Honghui Wu, Klaus Butterbach-Bahl
Summary: This study investigated the effects of temperature and moisture on soil nitrogen turnover through field experiments and laboratory incubation experiments. The results showed that soil temperature had a greater explanatory power than moisture in gross ammonification and nitrification rates. Climate warming may have a greater impact on gross nitrogen turnover compared to changes in rainfall.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Zhen Han, Xiuchao Yang, Xiaoai Yin, Qian Fang, Longshan Zhao
Summary: This study investigated the effects of exposed root distribution patterns on rainfall-runoff processes. The results showed that the distribution patterns of exposed root had a significant impact on rainfall-runoff processes. A vertical slope arrangement was conducive to rainfall infiltration, a parallel slope arrangement resulted in more surface runoff, and a transverse slope arrangement could reduce water loss.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Bo Zhao
Summary: Seismic earthflows, as special seismic landslides, have not received much attention in previous studies. This study analyzed the characteristics and movement of earthflows induced by recent earthquakes. The results showed that earthflows occur in high-rainfall areas and are sensitive to rainfall. Compared to other seismic landslides, seismic earthflows occur on gentler hills and have higher mobility.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Tingxi Liu, Xueqin Wang, Mingyang Li, Dongfang Li, Limin Duan, Xin Tong, Guanli Wang
Summary: Soil respiration plays a crucial role in the global carbon cycle in arid and semi-arid regions, and is regulated by hydrothermal factors. This study examined the seasonal and diurnal dynamics of soil respiration in two typical ecosystems in northern China, and investigated their responses to precipitation, temperature, and drought. The results showed that soil respiration varied seasonally and diurnally, and its response to environmental factors depended on the ecosystem type and soil moisture status. Incorporating multiple factors into carbon cycle models can improve the simulation and prediction of carbon emissions in arid and semi-arid regions.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yaochen Xu, Ninghua Chen, Deguo Zhang, Bowen Gao, Xuhua Weng, Hongcheng Qiu
Summary: This study provides systematic investigation on how yardangs exert control over dune morphology, and reveals the intricate wind dynamics and mechanisms involved. Computational fluid dynamics modeling and remote sensing data further support the observations and shed light on the influences of yardangs on wind deposition and dune formation.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yuri Lopes Zinn, Welton Pereira da Rocha Jr
Summary: This study assessed the evolution of Journal Impact Factors (JIF) and related data in the field of Soil Science over a 26-year period, and compared it with the field of Agronomy. The results showed a significant growth in JIFs and output in Soil Science, with commercial scientific publishers' journals experiencing higher growth rates than non-profit journals. The study also highlighted the importance of considering not only JIF, but also the bibliometric footprint, in determining the relevance and leadership of journals in the discipline.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Shanshan Liao, Xiaodong Nie, Aoqi Zeng, Wenfei Liao, Yi Liu, Zhongwu Li
Summary: Lake drawdown areas, where sediment is exposed due to water level fluctuations, have a significant impact on the carbon cycle. This study examined microbial necromass carbon (MNC) content and its contribution to soil organic carbon (SOC) in different habitats within the drawdown area of Dongting Lake. The results showed that MNC content varied among habitats and was primarily influenced by carbon and nitrogen availability, plant biomass, clay content, and soil moisture. External factors, such as plant and soil properties, played a more crucial role in the long-term accumulation of MNC. These findings enhance our understanding of MNC stability in drawdown areas.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Vanessa Alves Mantovani, Marcela de Castro Nunes Santos Terra, Andre Ferreira Rodrigues, Carlos Alberto Silva, Li Guo, Jose Marcio de Mello, Carlos Rogerio de Mello
Summary: There is a lack of research on the potential of tropical soils in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biome to store carbon. This study aimed to determine the soil carbon stocks at different depths, describe their temporal variability, and identify the main drivers that influence their variations. The results showed significant spatial and seasonal variability in soil carbon stocks, with a high accumulation in December and a low accumulation in August. The study also found that litterfall, throughfall, tree sizes, and soil moisture were important factors affecting the distribution of soil carbon.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Anais Zimmer, Timothy Beach, Sheryl Luzzadder-Beach, Antoine Rabatel, Rolando Cruz Encarnacion, Joshua Lopez Robles, Edison Jara Tarazona, Arnaud J. A. M. Temme
Summary: Climate warming has accelerated glacial retreat and soil formation in mountainous regions. The accumulation of soil organic carbon and nitrogen is influenced by environmental factors, with maximum temperature and initial site conditions playing important roles in soil development.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Ren-Min Yang, Lai-Ming Huang, Feng Liu
Summary: This study investigated the soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in seasonally frozen ground (SFG) in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China, in 2020 and 2021, and explored the effects of various factors on SOC using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results showed that C inputs exerted the greatest control on SOC, and the influence of these factors decreased with increasing soil depth. Additionally, timely spatial SOC estimates were found to be important for assessing carbon stocks in the context of environmental changes.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Shue Wei, Kuandi Zhang, Chenglong Liu, Youdong Cen, Junqiang Xia
Summary: This study analyzed the effects of different vegetation components on erosion through simulated rainfall experiments and found that litter had the best effect in reducing erosion, followed by roots. The study also revealed that the reduction in runoff and sediment by the treatments decreased with increasing rainfall intensity.
