Linking water and nutrients through the vadose zone: a fungal interface between the soil and plant systems

Plant water availability, use, and management have largely focused on physical processes of infiltration and the role of roots in uptake and transpiration. However, roots and mycorrhizal fungi redistribute water in complex patterns. Here I describe some of our observations and experiments showing that mycorrhizal fungi play key roles in moving water for both transpiration and to facilitate nutrient acquisition under dry conditions. Mycorrhizal fungal hyphae grow from both surface and deep roots even into bedrock to help extract water under dry conditions. In both deep and surface roots, mycorrhizal fungi acquire water from pores too small for roots and root hairs to access, and at distances from roots and root hairs. Mycorrhizal fungi are also able to utilize hydraulic-lifted water from plants to obtain nutrients in extremely dry surface soils. The importance of these root symbionts in water and nutrient dynamics, and as integrators of surface and deeper water dynamics need further investigation.

Thermodynamic transport mechanism of water freezing-thawing in the vadose zone in the alpine meadow of the Tibet Plateau

High altitude,cold and dry climate,strong solar radiation,and high evapotranspiration intensity have created an extremely fragile ecological and geological environment on the Tibet Plateau.Since the heat in the vadose zone is primarily generated by the external solar radiation energy,and evapotranspiration is contingent on the consumption of vadose heat,the intensity of evapotranspiration is associated with the intensity of solar radiation and the heat budget in the vadose zone.However,the spatial and temporal variation of heat budget and thermodynamic transfer process of the vadose zone in the frigid region are not clear,which hinders the revelation of the dynamic mechanism of evapotranspiration in the vadose zone in the frigid region.With the moisture content of the vadose zone in the alpine regions being the research object,the paper conducts in-situ geothermal observation tests,takes meteorological characteristics into consideration,and adopts the method of geothermal gradient and numerical computation to analyse the temporal and spatial variation rule of heat budget and thermodynamic transmission process of the vadose zone in the high and cold regions.The results show there is a positive correlation between air temperature,ground temperature,and water content of the vadose zone in both thawing and freezing periods.According to the change law of geothermal gradient,the thermodynamic transfer process of the vadose zone has four stages:slow exothermic heating,fast endothermic melting,slow endothermic cooling,and fast exothermic freezing.From the surface down,the moisture freezing rate of the vadose zone is slightly higher than the melting rate.This is of great significance for understanding the evapotranspiration dynamic process of the vadose zone and protecting and rebuilding the ecological and geological environment in the high and cold regions.

Formation and evolution of Emeishan basalt saprolite in vadose zones of Touzhai landslide source rockmass

In order to explain the formation process of slope hazards, and to identify the key factors leading to instability of a slope, Emeishan basalt saprolite in vadose zones of the Touzhai landslide in Zhaotong, Yunnan, was studied. The formation and evolution of Emeishan basalt saprolite was examined using, amongst other techniques, field investigations,thin section analysis, scanning electron microscopy(SEM) observations, chemical analysis, physical and water-physical property tests of rock masses. Field observations revealed that the majority of the weathered rock blocks were presented as a concentric layer structure in which an internal corestone was enveloped with several layers of external saprolized crust. Chemical and mineralogical analysis identified that iron was the most sensitive element and that the weathering progress usually started with the oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+ in rock blocks. Alkaline elements such as Si, Ca, Mg, Na and K were also dissolved and Fe and Al were concentrated in saprolized crusts. Results indicated that loss on ignition(LOI) also increased significantly. SEM results showed that the weathering intensity of thebasalt blocks decreased gradually from the outside to the inside, and the mineral morphology significantly differed on both sides of the weathering front. The saprolized crusts presented cellular microstructure features due to the generation of micropore and clay minerals. Thin section analysis showed that plagioclase was relatively more stable than pyroxene and chlorite during weathering. With a centripetal propagation of the weathering front, saprolized crusts became thicker and corestones became smaller; fresh Emeishan basalt blocks gradually turned into saprolized blocks. Due to the loose structure and low strength of saprolite, the quality of the Emeishan basalt mass significantly deteriorated, this being a potentially important factor which caused the Touzhai landslide to occur.

In-situ nitrogen fate in the vadose zone of different soil types and its implications for groundwater quality in the Huaihe River Basin,China

This paper focused on nitrate fate in the vadose zone(VZ)and its implications for groundwater vulnerability under different soil types in the agricultural area of Huaihe River Basin,China.Isotopic compositions of nitrate(δ15N andδ18O)along with NO3-and Cl-concentrations were determined in the VZ-shallow groundwater continuum beneath silty-loam and silty-clay-loam,which are distinctive in texture and organic carbon(OC).In the soil zone(<1 m in depth),measuredδ18O-NO3-suggested the ubiquitous of nitrification regardless of soil types.In the subsoil zone(>1 m in depth),however,the concurrent enrichment ofδ15N-NO3-andδ18O-NO3-indicated the occurrence of denitrification,which showed a dependence on subsoil properties.Specifically,during wheat and maize land uses,denitrification removed as much as 76%-88%of the total nitrate where the subsoil was dominated by stratified OC-rich silty-clay-loam.In contrast,only 0%-28%of the nitrate was degraded via denitrification where the subsoil was composed of uniform,OC-depleted silty-loam.Furthermore,inactive denitrification and higher permeability in the silty-loam VZ implied higher groundwater vulnerability.This observation was consistent with the fact that groundwater NO3--N concentration beneath silty-loam(11.24 mg L-1)was over two times higher than that of the silty-clay-loam(5.32 mg L-1),where stricter fertilization management and conservation strategies should be applied to protect groundwater quality.

Seasonal shifts in the solute ion ratios of vadose zone rock moisture from the Eel River Critical Zone Observatory

One of the greatest challenges in critical zone studies is to document the moisture dynamics, water flux,and solute chemistry of the unsaturated, fractured and weathered bedrock that lies between the soil and groundwater table. The central impediment to quantifying this component of the subsurface is the difficulty associated with direct observations. Here, we report solute chemistry as a function of depth collected over a full year across the shale-derived vadose zone of the Eel River Critical Zone Observatory using a set of novel sub-horizontal wellbores,referred to as the vadose zone monitoring system. The results of this first geochemical glimpse into the deep vadose zone indicate a dynamic temporal and depth-resolved structure. Major cation concentrations reflect seasonal changes in precipitation and water saturation, and normalized ratios span the full range of values reported for the world's largest rivers.

Biophysical Evaluation of the Vadose Zone at a Landfill Site in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

The vadose zone of a landfill site proposed as an integrated waste management facility was evaluated based on geohydrological, chemical and microbiological characteristics of the groundwater and underlying soil. These data were also used to assess the attenuation capacity of the zone by the use of microbial degradation test of some major constituents including fatty acids, organic nitrogen and chloride of the leachate for a 28-day period. The main soil type in vadose zone consisted of brownish clayey sand of low permeability. The depth to water table which is equal to the thickness of the vadose zone varied from 8 - 13 m. Groundwater flowed with a hydraulic gradient of approximately 4.0 × 10Dž and a pore velocity of 1.6 × 10Dž cm/sec. The results of the biodegradation tests showed that the major constituents of the leachate such as ammonia/organic nitrogen, phosphate and organic carbon were completely degraded within 28 days. The population of aerobic bacteria within the 6 m soil depth was sufficient to bring about over 0.05% organic carbon removal. The soil characteristics in the vadose zone are very favourable for the occurrence of natural attenuation. The potential natural attenuation capacity of the vadose zone is therefore classified as moderate to high.

Sorption and phase distribution of ethanol and butanol blended gasoline vapours in the vadose zone after release

The sorption and phase distribution of 20% ethanol and butanol blended gasoline （E20 and B20） vapours have been examined in soils with varying soil organic matter （SOM） and water contents via laboratory microcosm experiments. The presence of 20% alcohol reduced the sorption of gasoline compounds by soil as well as the mass distribution of the compounds to soil solids. This effect was greater for ethanol than butanol. Compared with the sorption coefficient （Kd） of unblended gasoline compounds, the Kd of E20 gasoline compounds decreased by 54% for pentane, 54% for methylcyclopentane （MCP） and 63% for benzene, while the Kd of B20 gasoline compounds decreased by 39% for pentane, 38% for MCP and 49% for benzene, The retardation factor （R） of E20 gasoline compounds decreased by 53% for pentane, 53% for MCP and 48% for benzene, while the R of B20 gasoline compounds decreased by 39% for pentane, 37% for MCP and 38% for benzene. For all SOM and water contents tested, the Kd and R of all gasoline compounds were in the order of unblended gasoline 〉 B20 〉 E20, indicating that the use of high ethanol volume in gasoline to combat climate change could put the groundwater at greater risk of contamination,

Groundwater recharge via precipitation in the Badain Jaran Desert,China

Precipitation infiltration serves as a significant source of groundwater in the Badain Jaran Desert.To investigate variations in precipitation infiltration within the desert,this study collected data on moisture content and temperature from the vadose zone through in-situ field monitoring.Utilizing these data,a numerical model is employed to explore the mechanism of groundwater recharge via precipitation.The results are as follows:(1)Moisture content and temperature in the shallow vadose zone exhibit significant seasonal variations,with moisture content diminishing with increasing depth;(2)Groundwater recharge via precipitation infiltration initially increases and then decreases with groundwater level depth(GWD).Peak groundwater recharge via precipitation occurs at a GWD of 0.75 m,decreasing to merely 0.012 cm at GWDs exceeding 2 m;(3)Groundwater is no longer susceptible to phreatic water evaporation when the GWD reaches approximately 3.7 m.Therefore,GWD plays a crucial role in governing groundwater recharge via precipitation in the Badain Jaran Desert.

Dynamic influence of Holocene characteristics on vadose water in typical region of central North China Plain

In the typical region of central North China Plain, vadose sediments are Holocene sediment strata. With samples from field drillings, the study analyzes the sedimentary characteristics of vadose zone. The study takes the content of silty sand as the basis for sedimentary environment analysis, and the content of clay and sand as the sensitive indicator for sedimentary characteristics. Combining palynology analysis, the study divides vadose zone from top to bottom into diluvia oxbow lacustrine sediments, lacustrine sediments, lacustrine and swamp sediments, weak palaeohydrodynamic lacustrine sediments and alluvial sediments. Based on the sedimentary characteristics of Holocene strata, it analyzes the changes across depth of vadose zone water potential and matrix potential, obtaining the influence of vadose zone sedimentary characteristics on the migration of water in typical region of central North China Plain.

Assessment of the Protective Capacity of Vadoze Zone over Aquifer Systems Using Secondary Geoelectrical Parameters: A Case Study of Kaltungo Area North East, Nigeria

An assessment of the protective capacity of the vadose zone overlyingthe aquifer systems in the Kaltungo area was carried out to determine itsinfluence on groundwater quality. Applying the schlumberger array with amaximum electrode spread AB/2 = 100m through VES, thirty water wellpoints were surveyed using Omega terrameter (PIOSO1) resistivity meter.The field data was first subjected to manual interpretation through curvemarching and then digitized modeled curves using computer software. Theinterpreted data revealed that the area is characterized by eleven differentcurve types representing three to five geo electrical layers. In order toassess the protective capacity of the vadoze zone over the aquifer systems,the longitudinal conductance (S) and transverse resistance (T) (secondarygeoelectric parameters) were computed from the primary data using theDar Zarouk formula. The values of S obtained range from 0.0018 to 0.4056ohms with a mean value of 0.0135 ohms while the values of T range from0.55 ohms to 1195.68 ohms with a mean value of 39.84 ohms. The valuesof S and T obtained reveal that 90% of probed points has poor protectivecapacity, 10 % has moderate protective capacity and 83 % has hightransmissivity, 17 % has intermediate transmissivity. The T and S values areskewed towards poorly protective capacity thus making groundwater in thearea highly vulnerable to contamination from the surface. To achieve goodgroundwater quality in the area, proper completion of newly constructedwells should install protective casing through the entire vadose zone.

Modeling regional landslide susceptibility using dynamic soil moisture profiles

A landslide susceptibility mapping study was performed using dynamic hillslope hydrology. The modified infinite slope stability model that directly includes vadose zone soil moisture(SM) was applied at Cleveland Corral, California, US and Krishnabhir, Dhading, Nepal. The variable infiltration capacity(VIC-3L) model simulated vadose zone soil moisture and the wetness index hydrologic model simulated groundwater(GW). The GW model predictions had a 75% NASH-Sutcliffe efficiency when compared to California's in-situ GW measurements. The model performed best during the wet season. Using predicted GW and VIC-3L vadose zone SM, the developed landslide susceptibility maps showed very good agreement with mapped landslides at each study region. Previous quasi-dynamic model predictions of Nepal's hazardous areas during extreme rainfall events were enhanced to improve the spatial characterization and provide the timing of hazardous conditions.

Vadose-zone moisture dynamics under radiation boundary conditions during a drying process

In order to better understand the soil moisture dynamics during a drying process, a soil column experiment is conducted in the laboratory, followed by the numerical modeling with consideration of the coupled liquid water, water vapor and heat transport in the vadose zone. Results show that there are three distinct subzones above the water table according to the temporally dynamic variation of the water content profiles. Zone 1 sees a decrease in the water contents in the upper profiles （0 m-0.05 m） due to a negative net water flux in this zone where the upward isothermal water vapor flux becomes the main flow mechanism in the soils. Irl contrast, the water content within Zone 2 in the depth ranging from 0.05 m to 0.37 m sees an apparent increase over the, resulting from the positive net thermal water-vapor and isothermal liquid-water fluxes into this layer. Zone 3 （0.37 m-0.65 m） also sees an apparent decrease in the water content since the isothermal liquid water flux carries the liquid water either upward out of this region for vaporization or downward to the water table as a recharge to the groundwater.

A Comparison of the Genetic Shaft Types of Some Karst Areas Based on Their Specific Shaft Lengths

Shaft development can be documented on the basis of comparative studies of specific shaft lengths and shaft patterns.We calculated the specific length of shafts and the average specific shaft length of the shafts in some karst areas and we investigated the relation between the altitude of shaft floors and the specific shaft length.Taking the registered specific shaft lengths and the shaft patterns into consideration,it can be stated that some parts of the shafts developed paragenetically in the studied karst areas.In the Bakony Region,this was caused by surface water influx,rise of karst water level,and their simultaneous effect.As a result,shaft systems,bifurcating shafts and storeyed shafts developed.On glaciokarst areas,shafts may constitute a system with phreatic passages:either because a phreatic environment developed in the vadose zone due to the permanent impoundment of karst water or because a phreatic passage got into the vadose zone since the karst became elevated.On the studied karst areas,the following shaft development types are distinguished:glacial-high mountain surface flood development type(1),glacial-high mountain karst water and surface flood development type(2),glacial karst water and surface flood later phreatic development type(3),shaft with a passage that got into the vadose zone(4).

Promise and pitfalls of modeling grassland soil moisture in a free-air CO_(2) enrichment experiment(BioCON)using the SHAW model

Free-air carbon dioxide(CO_(2))enrichment(FACE)experiments provide an opportunity to test models of heat and water flow under novel,controlled situations and eventually allow use of these models for hypothesis evaluation.This study assesses whether the United States Department of Agriculture SHAW(Simultaneous Heat and Water)numerical model of vertical one-dimensional soil water flow across the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum is able to adequately represent and explain the effects of increasing atmospheric CO_(2) on soil moisture dynamics in temperate grasslands.Observations in a FACE experiment,the Bio CON(Biodiversity,CO_(2),and Nitrogen)experiment,in Minnesota,USA,were compared with results of vertical soil moisture distribution.Three scenarios represented by different plots were assessed:bare,vegetated with ambient CO_(2),and similarly vegetated with high CO_(2).From the simulations,the bare plot soil was generally the wettest,followed by a drier high-CO_(2) vegetated plot,and the ambient CO_(2) plot was the driest.The SHAW simulations adequately reproduced the expected behavior and showed that vegetation and atmospheric CO_(2) concentration significantly affected soil moisture dynamics.The differences in modeled soil moisture amongst the plots were largely due to transpiration,which was low with high CO_(2).However,the modeled soil moisture only modestly reproduced the observations.Thus,while SHAW is able to replicate and help broadly explain soil moisture dynamics in a FACE experiment,its application for point-and time-specific simulations of soil moisture needs further scrutiny.The typical design of a FACE experiment makes the experimental observations challenging to model with a one-dimensional distributed model.In addition,FACE instrumentation and monitoring will need improvement in order to be a useful platform for robust model testing.Only after this can we recommend that models such as SHAW are adequate for process interpretation of datasets from FACE experiments or for hypothesis testing.

The influence of low-permeability cap on capillary pressure during pumping in unconfined aquifer

The pumping test in an unconfined aquifer with and without a low-permeability soil was studied experimentally to reveal the influence of the negative air pressure （NP） caused by the upper layer on the water content （w）, the water pressure （Pw）, as well as on the capillary pressure （Pc）. The study demonstrates that the NP generated in the vadose zone during pumping in the capper aquifer has a significant influence on w, Pw and Pc The Pc obtained from the capped aquifer is smaller than that without the upper layer. After the NP reaches a peak, the influence of the NP on Pc. is gradually declined as the air inflows through the upper layer which makes the NP gradually return to zero. When the air pressure returns to the atmospheric pressure, Pc in the vadose zone is only correlated with Pw, the same as the case with no upper layer.