Mechanisms discussion of frost heave and test verifications of moisture migration

Herein we review research on the structure of the frozen fringe and one of its key characteristics（unfrozen water content）,and compare its current measurement methods,including pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance（NMR）,time-domain reflectometry（TDR）,calorimetry,thermometry,the sublimation method,and CT imagery.A freeze-thaw cycle experiment with remolded soil was conducted inside to verify the mechanism of frost heave,measuring such variables as soil-water potential,temperature,water supplement,and the position of the freezing front.Conclusions from the analysis of the experiment data are：（1） The soil-water potential,the water supplement,and the position of the freezing front vary with temperature; and（2） the temperature gradient induces the soil-water potential,which in turn provides a stable driving force for moisture migration.

Change of pore water near the freezing front during soil freezing: Migration and mechanisms

The formation and growth of segregation ice dominate the frost heave during soil freezing,which is closely related to water migration.To analyze segregation ice during soil freezing for different soils,a freezing-thawing experiment was conducted with Lanzhou loess(LZL)and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau silty clay(QSC)using a novel layered nuclear magnetic resonance approach.During LZL freezing,the unfrozen water content first increased and then decreased with decreasing temperature near the freezing front,but decreased with decreasing temperature in other layers,whereas during the freezing of QSC,the unfrozen water content in different layers(including the freezing front)decreased with decreased temperature.Notably,the increased liquid water near the freezing front during LZL freezing was primarily adsorbed water.In addition to the temperature gradient,the squeezing action during soil freezing was another important factor affecting water migration,especially at the early stage of soil freezing.However,which of the two factors,squeezing action and temperature gradient,was the dominant one causing water migration depended on soil structure.At the early stage of soil freezing,the squeezing action had a significant effect on the water migration of LZL,but no significant effect on that of QSC.Furthermore,water accumulation of LZL near the freezing front due to squeezing action at the early stage of freezing limited the formation and growth of segregation ice.This study provided an improved understanding for ice segregation and water migration during soil freezing.

Synergetic variations of active layer soil water and salt in a permafrost-affected meadow in the headwater area of the Yellow River,northeastern Qinghai-Tibet plateau

The coupling effects and mechanisms of water,heat,and salt in frozen soils are considered to be one of the core scientific issues in frozen soil studies.This study was based on in situ observation data of active layer soil volumetric water content(VWC),temperature,and bulk electrical conductivity(EC)obtained at an alpine meadow site from October 2016 to November 2019.The site is located in the headwater area of the Yellow River(HAYR).We analyzed the synergetic variations of active layer soil VWC,temperature,and bulk EC during the freeze and thaw processes and discussed the underlying mechanisms.When the thaw process occurred from 10 to 80 cm depths,the VWC and bulk EC at a 10 cm depth showed syn-chronous high-frequency fluctuations and both increased linearly.The linear decreasing rate of the VWC(bulk EC)at an 80 cm depth in the freeze depths between 0 and 40 cm was 2(1.6e2.3)times that of the VWC(bulk EC)at an 80 cm depth in the freeze depths occurring 0e10 cm.As soil temperature decreased in the frozen layer,unfrozen water content(bulk EC)decreased nonlinearly along with the absolute value of soil temperature(|T|),following a power(logarithmic)function.This study provided data that partly elucidate the interactions among permafrost,meadow,and ecohydrological processes in the HAYR.Also,our results can be used as a scientific basis for decision making on the protection and restoration of alpine grasslands,as well as for soil salinization studies.