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Soil Water Retention and Pore Characteristics of Intact Loess Buried at Different Depths

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  • Xiaokun Hou

    (Key Laboratory of Shale Gas and Geoengineering, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
    Innovation Academy for Earth Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100029, China)

  • Shengwen Qi

    (Key Laboratory of Shale Gas and Geoengineering, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
    Innovation Academy for Earth Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100029, China)

  • Fangcui Liu

    (Key Laboratory of Shale Gas and Geoengineering, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
    Innovation Academy for Earth Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100029, China)

Abstract

Surface water infiltration is a primary factor responsible for engineering challenges and geological disasters on the Loess Plateau of China (LPC). Due to the extensive groundwater in this region, surface water must pass through thick unsaturated zones to recharge the groundwater reservoirs. Exploring the unsaturated hydraulic characteristics of loess, especially at varying depths, may significantly contribute to disaster prevention and mitigation and the pursuit of sustainable development in the Loess Plateau. The soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC), intricately linked to the soil’s pore structure, is a critical hydraulic parameter of loess. An exploration well with a depth of 30 m was excavated in the LPC to obtain intact specimens at depths of 5 m, 15 m, and 25 m. Basic physical property tests, SWCC measurements, and particle size distribution (PSD) analyses were conducted. Additionally, the relationship between PSD and SWCC is discussed in this paper. The findings highlight the influence of depth on the dominant pore size and distribution density, both of which decreased with increasing depth. The air occlusion value of the SWCC experienced an increase, and the slope of the SWCC in the transition zone exhibited consistency. These observations underscore the pivotal role played by pore structure in shaping the soil’s water-retention behavior. Furthermore, predictions based on PSD data demonstrated excellent accuracy in replicating the wetting SWCC of loess over a wide suction range (e.g., 10–10 4 kPa).

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaokun Hou & Shengwen Qi & Fangcui Liu, 2023. "Soil Water Retention and Pore Characteristics of Intact Loess Buried at Different Depths," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-10, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:20:p:14890-:d:1260194
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lina Ma & Shengwen Qi & Bowen Zheng & Songfeng Guo & Qiangbing Huang & Xinbao Yu, 2020. "Farming Influence on Physical-Mechanical Properties and Microstructural Characteristics of Backfilled Loess Farmland in Yan’an, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-18, July.
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