Effects of Soil Particle Structure on the Distribution and Transport of Soil Water and Salt

Unsaturated zones are critical for water and material exchange between groundwater and surface ecosystems. Understanding the migration patterns of soil water and salts in these zones can offer theoretical support for maintaining the equilibrium between groundwater and surface ecosystems in Northwest...

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Main Authors: Shangjin Cui, Pucheng Zhu, Pengfei Liu, Xinxin Geng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-08-01
Series:Water
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/15/2842
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author Shangjin Cui
Pucheng Zhu
Pengfei Liu
Xinxin Geng
author_facet Shangjin Cui
Pucheng Zhu
Pengfei Liu
Xinxin Geng
author_sort Shangjin Cui
collection DOAJ
description Unsaturated zones are critical for water and material exchange between groundwater and surface ecosystems. Understanding the migration patterns of soil water and salts in these zones can offer theoretical support for maintaining the equilibrium between groundwater and surface ecosystems in Northwestern China’s salinized regions. This study explores the correlation between soil particle composition and soil water and salt distribution at a test site in the lower reaches of the Shiyang River basin. It analyzes the way in which water and salt patterns vary with different soil structures over various timescales. The results indicate that lithological profiles with similar structures but varying fine particle contents exhibit distinct water–salt variation patterns. Higher fine particle content leads to increased water and total dissolved solid content, but a decreased infiltration rate. When the middle layer has the highest fine content, soil evaporation is partially inhibited. The more complex the lithologic structure, the less effective irrigation is in leaching salt. However, when the lithologic structure remains constant, fine particle content has minimal impact on salt leaching.
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spelling doaj.art-e7dbbe7692314a3fa303dc0a28b984862023-11-18T23:48:31ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412023-08-011515284210.3390/w15152842Effects of Soil Particle Structure on the Distribution and Transport of Soil Water and SaltShangjin Cui0Pucheng Zhu1Pengfei Liu2Xinxin Geng3Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050061, ChinaInstitute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050061, ChinaInstitute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050061, ChinaInstitute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050061, ChinaUnsaturated zones are critical for water and material exchange between groundwater and surface ecosystems. Understanding the migration patterns of soil water and salts in these zones can offer theoretical support for maintaining the equilibrium between groundwater and surface ecosystems in Northwestern China’s salinized regions. This study explores the correlation between soil particle composition and soil water and salt distribution at a test site in the lower reaches of the Shiyang River basin. It analyzes the way in which water and salt patterns vary with different soil structures over various timescales. The results indicate that lithological profiles with similar structures but varying fine particle contents exhibit distinct water–salt variation patterns. Higher fine particle content leads to increased water and total dissolved solid content, but a decreased infiltration rate. When the middle layer has the highest fine content, soil evaporation is partially inhibited. The more complex the lithologic structure, the less effective irrigation is in leaching salt. However, when the lithologic structure remains constant, fine particle content has minimal impact on salt leaching.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/15/2842arid areaunsaturated zonesoil particle compositionsoil water and salt variationvarious timescales
spellingShingle Shangjin Cui
Pucheng Zhu
Pengfei Liu
Xinxin Geng
Effects of Soil Particle Structure on the Distribution and Transport of Soil Water and Salt
Water
arid area
unsaturated zone
soil particle composition
soil water and salt variation
various timescales
title Effects of Soil Particle Structure on the Distribution and Transport of Soil Water and Salt
title_full Effects of Soil Particle Structure on the Distribution and Transport of Soil Water and Salt
title_fullStr Effects of Soil Particle Structure on the Distribution and Transport of Soil Water and Salt
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Soil Particle Structure on the Distribution and Transport of Soil Water and Salt
title_short Effects of Soil Particle Structure on the Distribution and Transport of Soil Water and Salt
title_sort effects of soil particle structure on the distribution and transport of soil water and salt
topic arid area
unsaturated zone
soil particle composition
soil water and salt variation
various timescales
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/15/2842
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AT pengfeiliu effectsofsoilparticlestructureonthedistributionandtransportofsoilwaterandsalt
AT xinxingeng effectsofsoilparticlestructureonthedistributionandtransportofsoilwaterandsalt