Water migration in subgrade soil under seasonal freeze-thaw cycles in an alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Highway frost heave and thawing settlement caused by water migration towards the freezing front and ice lens development is widespread in the alpine meadow area of the southeast QinghaiTibet Plateau(QTP). A laboratory experiment on a highway reconstruction and expansion project in the QTP was carried out in this work to analyze the effects of fine particle content, initial water content, and the number of freeze-thaw cycles(FTCs) on frost depth, temperature gradient(Grad T), total water intake, and water intake flux. Based on the results of the laboratory experiment, a modified model of migration potential related to fine particle content, freeze-thaw history, and freezing time was established. The results show that, with the increase of fine particle content, the frost depth of soil decreases, the curve of total water intake over time is transformed from an Sshape to an arch, and the curve of water intake flux over time is transformed from a peak shape to descending shape. The variation trend of migration potential with freezing time and the freeze-thaw history is the same as that of water intake flux with freezing time and freeze-thaw history. The variation trend of soil intake flux can be used as a reference to determine the variation trend of soil migration potential. This study provides a reference for the design and construction of highway subgrade in the alpine meadow area of the QTP.

Investigation of oil and water migrations in lacustrine oil shales using 20 MHz 2D NMR relaxometry techniques

The behavior of oil and water in tight rocks can change the distribution of oil or water in pores,which affects the production of crude oil.Nuclear Magnetic Resonance(NMR)method is an effective and nondestructive tool for evaluating rocks with comparison and analysis both quantitatively and qualitatively.In our study,20 MHz NMR Relaxometry is used as a key technique to study the changes of water and oil behaviors in Chinese lacustrine Qingshankou shales under different saturated states(imbibition and evaporation without pressure).The results show that variation in different proton populations(water,oil and organic)can be distinguished using 2D T_(1)-T_(2)maps.The comparison among T_(1)-T_(2)maps with different saturated states shows that different signal regions changed during oil and water migrations,which the 1D NMR Relaxometry may be not easy to approach.Combined with the pyrolysis analysis,T2 shift and differences of signal regions in T_(1)-T_(2)maps can reflect properties such as wettability and composition(organic matter,clay and magnetic minerals)to some extent.This study provides better insight into oil and water behaviors in lacustrine oil shales with further understanding of 20 MHz NMR 2D T_(1)-T_(2)maps both in qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Mathematical and Experimental Investigation of Water Migration in Plant Xylem

Plant can take water from soil up to several metres high. However, the mechanism of how water rises against gravity is still controversially discussed despite a few mechanisms have been proposed. Also, there still lacks of a critical transportation model because of the diversity and complex xylem structure of plants. This paper mainly focuses on the water transport process within xylem and a mathematical model is presented. With a simplified micro channel from xylem structure and the calculation using the model of water migration in xylem, this paper identified the relationship between various forces and water migration velocity. The velocity of water migration within the plant stem is considered as detail as possible using all major forces involved, and a full mathmetical model is proposed to calculate and predict the velocity of water migration in plants. Using details of a specific plant, the velocity of water migration in the plant can be calculated, and then compared to the experimental result from Magnetic Resonance Imaging （MRI）. The two results match perfectly to each other, indicating the accuracy of the mathematical model, thus the mathematical model should have brighter furore in further applications.

Evaluation of Water Transfer Capacity of Poplar with Pectinase Treated under the Solar Interface Evaporation

Poplar wood,which was used as the absorption material for the solar-driven interfacial evaporation,was treated for 3 days,6 days and 9 days with the pectinase,and then was simulated for photothermal evaporation test at one standard solar radiation intensity(1 kW⋅m^(−2)).The effects of pectinase treatment on cell passage and water migration capacity of poplars were analyzed by the mercury intrusion porosimetry,the scanning electron microscope and fractal theory.It was found that the pit membrane and the ray parenchyma cells of poplar wood were degraded and destroyed after pectinase treatment.Compared with the untreated poplar wood,the evaporation rate of three sections of the specimen was changed.Especially the evaporation rate of radial and tangential direction was significantly increased.At the same time,based on the experimental data and fractal dimension deduction,fractal characteristics could be found in that the structure of poplars treated with pectinase.The porosity decreased with the increase of the fractal dimension in a certain range.It was shown that it is feasible to evaluate solar-driven water migration capacity by using fractal theory.

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.

A coupled cryogenic thermo-hydro-mechanical model for frozen medium:Theory and implementation in FDEM

This paper presents the development of a coupled modeling approach to simulate cryogenic thermo-hydro-mechanical(THM)processes associated with a freezing medium,which is then implemented in the combined finite-discrete element method code(FDEM)for multi-physics simulation.The governing equations are deduced based on energy and mass conservation,and static equilibrium equations,considering water/ice phase change,where the strong couplings between multi-fields are supplemented by critical coupling parameters(e.g.unfrozen water content,permeability,and thermal conductivity).The proposed model is validated against laboratory and field experiments.Results show that the cryogenic THM model can well predict the evolution of strongly coupled processes observed in frozen media(e.g.heat transfer,water migration,and frost heave deformation),while also capturing,as emergent properties of the model,important phenomena(e.g.latent heat,cryogenic suction,ice expansion and distinct three-zone distribution)caused by water/ice phase change at laboratory and field scales,which are difficult to be all revealed by existing THM models.The novel modeling framework presents a gateway to further understanding and predicting the multi-physical coupling behavior of frozen media in cold regions.

Partitioning tree water usage into storage and transpiration in a mixed forest

Background:Water migration and use are important processes in trees.However,it is possible to overestimate transpiration by equating the water absorbed through the plant roots to that diffused back to the atmosphere through stomatal transpiration.Therefore,it is necessary to quantify the water transpired and stored in plants.Method:The δ^(2)H/δ^(18)O technique and heat ratio method were used to explore the water usage of coniferous and broad-leaved tree species,including the proportions of water used for transpiration and water storage.Results:Platycladus orientalis and Quercus variabilis had strong plasticity in their water usage from different sources.Platycladus orientalis primarily used groundwater(30.5%)and the 60-100-cm soil layer(21.6%)throughout the experimental period and was sensitive to precipitation,absorbing water from the 0-20-cm layer(26.6%)during the rainy season.Quercus variabilis absorbed water from all sources(15.7%-36.5%)except from the 40-60-cm soil layer during the dry season.In addition,it did not change its water source but increased its groundwater uptake during the rainy season.The annual mean water fluxes of P.orientalis and Q.variabilis were 374.69 and 469.50 mm·year−1,with 93.49% and 93.91% of the water used for transpiration,respectively.However,nocturnal sap flow in P.orientalis and Q.variabilis was mainly used for water storage in the trunk rather than transpiration,which effectively alleviated drought stress and facilitated the transport of nutrients.Conclusions:The water stored in both species comprised 6%-7% of the total water fluxes and,therefore,should be considered in water balance models.

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.

Influence of thermal insulation layer schemes on the frost heaving force in tunnels

In extreme cold regions,a thermal insulation layer(TIL)is commonly employed to mitigate the detrimental effects of frost heaving forces in tunnels.Optimizing the laying scheme of TIL,specifically minimizing frost heaving forces,holds considerable importance in the prevention of frost damage.This research developed a two-dimensional unsteady temperature field of circular tunnels by using the difference method(taking the off-wall laying method as an example)based on the law of conservation of energy.Then,the frozen circle and water migration coefficient were introduced to establish the relationship between the temperature field and frost heaving forces,and a reliable methodology for calculating these forces under the specific conditions of TIL installation was developed.Then(i)the influence of the air layer thickness of the off-wall laying method,(ii)different laying methods of TIL,(iii)the TIL thickness,(iv)the thermal conductivity of the TIL,and(v)the freeze-thaw cycles on the frost heaving force were investigated.The results showed that the frost heaving force served as a reliable and effective metric for evaluating the insulation effect in tunnels.In order to avoid frost damage in compliance with the design requirements,the insulation effects from various laying methods were established,in descending efficacy order as follows:off-wall laying,double layer laying,surface laying,and sandwich laying.Our findings revealed that the optimal thickness for the air layer in the offwall laying method was 0.10 m.The insulation effect of materials with a thermal conductivity below 0.047 W/(m·℃)was furthermore found to be good.Under freeze-thaw cycle conditions,it is concluded that to prevent frost damage,the TIL thickness should be the sum of the thickness r1 of the first freeze-thaw cycle without frost heaving forces and an additional reserve value 0.06r1 of the TIL thickness.

Mechanism of slope failure in loess terrains during spring thawing

Slope failure in loess terrains of Northern China during spring thawing period is closely related to the freeze-thaw cycling that surface soils inevitably experienced. Field surveys were carried out on natural and artificial slopes in thirteen surveying sites located in the Northern Shaanxi, the center of Loess Plateau, covering five characteristic topographic features including tablelands, ridges, hills, gullies and valleys. Based on the scale that is involved in freeze-thaw cycling, the induced failures can be classified into three main modes, i.e., erosion, peeling and thaw collapse, depending on both high porosity and loose cementation of loess that is easily affected. Model tests on loess slopes with gradients of 53.1°, 45.0° and 33.7° were carried out to reveal the heat transfer, water migration and deformation during slope failure. The surface morphology of slopes was photographed, with flake shaped erosion and cracks noted. For three slope models, time histories for the thermal regime exhibit three obvious cycles of freeze and thaw andthe maximum frost depth develops downwards as freeze-thaw cycling proceeds. Soil water in the unfrozen domain beneath was migrated towards the slope surface, as can be noticed from the considerable change in the unfrozen water content, almost synchronous with the variation of temperature. The displacement in both vertical and horizontal directions varies over time and three obvious cycles can be traced. The residual displacement for each cycle tends to grow and the slopes with higher gradients are more sensitive to potentially sliding during freeze-thaw cycling.

Effect of the number of freeze-thaw cycles number on the quality of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei): An emphasis on moisture migration and microstructure by LF-NMR and SEM

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the number of freeze-thaw(F-T)cycles on moisture migration,protein degradation,microstructure and quality in Litopenaeus vannamei.The quality of samples with different F-T cycles were determined by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance(LF-NMR),magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and scanning electron microscopy(SEM),combined with sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(SDS-PAGE),texture properties analysis(TPA),color difference,polyphenol oxidase(PPO)activity,total volatile basic nitrogen(TVB-N),total viable count(TVC),and sensory evaluation.The results showed that F-T cycles caused a significantly increase in transverse relaxation time in T22 and T23 and a decreased brightness of pseudo-color diagram after 4 F-T cycles,indicating that water mobility increased as immobilized water was shifted to free water.The texture of samples declined as well,especially after 4 F-T cycles.The rapid growth of PPO activity caused a decrease in brightness(L*)and an increase in redness(a∗)after 3 F-T cycles.The increase of TVB-N,TVC,and sensory score explained the changes in shrimp quality which became obvious after 3 F-T cycles and unacceptable after 6 cycles.Meanwhile,fewer than 4 F-T cycles accelerated protein aggregation,while denaturation occurred after 4 cycles.Therefore,repeated F-T cycles could accelerate the changes of protein,microstructure,water distribution,and quality deterioration especially after 3 F-T cycles,with a threshold was 6 F-T cycles.

Influence of Rain on Tetrachloroethylene's Multiphase Migration in Soil

For the increasingly serious soil and groundwater pollution by volatile organic compounds, tetrachloroethylene（PCE） was selected as the research object in this study. With the in-situ soil column physical simulation experiments, migration law of PCE in soil under rain conditions was studied by monitoring precipitation and soil parameter as well as sampling and analyzing soil and soil gas, and influence of rain on the multiphase migration process of PCE was preliminarily discussed. Research shows that migrations of PCE and soil moisture were not synchronous, and the rate of the former was speeded up by the latter caused by rain. Preliminary analysis indicates that migration of volatile chlorohydrocarbon in soil was not only driven by soil moisture, but also controlled by the nature of volatility of their own, that is to say, volatilization into gas phase was an important way of migrating and diffusing in pore medium, and the rate of migration and diffusion of gaseous PCE was faster than that of solid, resulting in more abroad distribution of gas phase than that in solid phase.

Comparative transcriptomics of anadromous and resident brook charr Salvelinus fontinalis before their first salt water transition

Most salmonid taxa have an anadromous life history strategy, whereby fish migrate to saltwater habitats for a growth period before returning to freshwater habitats for spawning. Moreover, several species are characterized by different life history tactics whereby resident and anadromous forms may occur in genetically differentiated populations within a same species, as well as polymorphism within a population. The molecular mechanisms underlying the physiological differences between anadromous and resident forms during the first transition from freshwater to saltwater environments are only partially understood. Insofar re- search has typically focused on species of the genus Salmo. Here, using a 16,000 cDNA array, we tested the hypothesis that ana- dromous brook charr Salvelinus fontinalis are characterized by differences in their transcriptome relative to resident brook charr before the anadromous fish migration. Families originating from parapatric populations of anadromous and resident charr were reared in controlled environments mimicking natural temperature and photoperiod, and sampled in spring, while still in fresh wa- ter. While anadromous and resident charr showed similar transcriptome profiles in white muscle, they were characterized by striking differences in their gill transcriptome profiles. Genes that were upregulated in the gills of anadromous charr were princi- pally involved in metabolism （mitochondrial electron transport chain, glucose metabolism, and protein synthesis）, development （tissue differentiation） and innate immunity. We discuss the nature of these transcriptomic differences in relation to molecular mechanisms underlying the expression of anadromous and resident life history tactics and suggest that the anadromous charr express some of the molecular processes present in other migratory salmonids [Current Zoology 58 （1）： 158-170, 2012].