Shear resistance characteristics and influencing factors of root-soil composite on an alpine metal mine dump slope with different recovery periods

Artificial vegetation restoration is the main measure for vegetation restoration and soil and water conservation in alpine mine dumps on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,China.However,there are few reports on the dynamic changes and the influencing factors of the soil reinforcement effect of plant species after artificial vegetation restoration under different recovery periods.We selected dump areas of the Delni Copper Mine in Qinghai Province,China to study the relationship between the shear strength and the peak displacement of the root-soil composite on the slope during the recovery period,and the influence of the root traits and soil physical properties on the shear resistance characteristics of the root-soil composite via in situ direct shear tests.The results indicate that the shear strength and peak displacement of the rooted soil initially decreased and then increased with the increase of the recovery period.The shear strength of the rooted soil and the recovery period exhibited a quadratic function relationship.There is no significant function relationship between the peak displacement and the recovery period.Significant positive correlations(P<0.05)exists between the shear strength of the root-soil composite and the root biomass density,root volume density,and root area ratio,and they show significant linear correlations(P<0.05).There are no significant correlations(P>0.05)between the shear strength of the root-soil composite and the root length density,and the root volume ratio of the coarse roots to the fine roots.A significant negative linear correlation(P<0.05)exists between the peak displacement of the rooted soil and the coarse-grain content,but no significant correlations(P>0.05)with the root traits,other soil physical property indices(the moisture content and dry density of the soil),and slope gradient.The coarse-grain content is the main factor controlling the peak displacement of the rooted soil.

Effect of Protective Cultivation Patterns of Rice in Cold Areas on Soil Physiological and Biochemical Status in Paddy Field

[Objective] The research aimed to explore how to use the soil reasonably,prevent the degradation of soil fertility,maintain soil fertility,improve the ecological environment of paddy field and improve the soil productivity of paddy field from the cultivation aspect.[Method] Taking kenjiandao 10 as the material,the variation laws of root weight,soil physical and chemical characteristics,soil enzyme,straw decomposition rate,soil temperature,microorganism of rice under the planting patterns of water-saving pro...

Effects of Plastic Film Mulching on Physical Characters of Soil and Yield and Yield Components of Sweet Potato

Field experiments were carried out to study the effects of plastic film mulching on soil physical characters, including soil temperature, soil moisture content and soil bulk density, and yield and yield components of sweet potato. The results showed that plastic filming mulching increased soil temperature. Considering the soil temperature-increasing effect, the treatments ranked as black plastic film treatment 〉 white plastic film treatment 〉 control. However, with the deepening of soil layer, the warming effect of plastic film mulching was weakened. Black or white plastic film mulching was conducive to low T/R value, especially in the early growth stage of sweet potato. Plastic film mulching significantly improved the storage root yield of sweet potato. In terms of yield-improving effect, the treatments ranked as black plastic film treatment 〉 white plastic film treatment 〉 control. The storage root num- ber per plant showed a downward trend, but the weight of single storage root was increased.

Studies of Soil Physical Property on Different Abandoned Lands in the Minqin Oasis,Downstream of the Shiyang River

The vast area of farmland was abandoned at downstream of the Shiyang River because of decreased water recourse. To ensure the ecological safety of Minqin Oasis and to provide management basis for the abandoned land, soil physical properties were observed and studied. The authors analyzed land with abandonment time of 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years, 8 years, 15 years, 24 years and 31 years. Samples were took at the 0-40 cm layer of soil to measure the bulk density, porosity and grain composition of soil in the different abandoned lands. Results showed that the tendency of clay content was decreasing, conversely, the fine sand increased at the layer of 0-10 cm of different abandoned lands.The changes of grain content reached a peak at the fourth year after the land was abandoned, then varied slightly. The variation of grain content of abandoned land was obvious with the extension of the abandonment year. The soil bulk density decreased and porosity increased with the extension of the abandonment year. The difference of porosity and soil bulk density at the range of 0-40 cm of different abandoned land decreased after the land abandoned for 3 years. The quality of soil was decreased, while the soil permeability was improved. The soil physical properties changed obviously in 3 to 4 years after abandonment, so it is the key time for land management.

Studies of Soil Physical Properties and Community Characteristics of Different Abandoned Lands in the Minqin Oasis,Downstream of the Shiyang River

[Objective] The aim was to explore physical properties and community characteristics of abandoned lands in different years in Minqin Oasis, downstream of the Shiyang River, [Method] The evolution of environment and plant community characteristics in different abandoned lands were analyzed after abandonment for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 15, 24 and 31 years, and the plant community characteristics, water content, bulk density, porosity and mechanical composition of soil in the different a- bandoned lands were also researched in the Minqin Oasis, downstream of the Shiyang River. [Result] Plant of 32 species spread over 14 family live through fifty years appeared in abandoned lands in the study area. Shrubs was 6 species, herbs was 26 species among them, which were 18.75%, 81.25% respectively. The goose- foot family （6 species）, the composite family（4 species）,the grass family（4 species）, caltrop family（3 species） were 53.13% among them. Within the range of 0-40 cm of different abandoned Land, the soil moisture content showed a trend of first increase and then decrease with the increase of soil depth changes in soil bulk density and porosity of less obvious. In the range of 0-40 cm soil depth, the largest proportion of fine sand, followed by silt and clay and the smallest proportion of coarse sand in every plot, but the proportion of the each silt size varies little with the years aban- doned. [Conclusion] The research provides references for vegetation reconstruction and eco-environment construction in abandoned lands in downstream of Shiyang River.

Soil Physical and Chemical Properties of Five Subtropical Forests in Lingao of Hainan

With 5 types of typical forests as research object, the physical and chemical properties of different types of forests were analyzed by sample plot investigation method. The results showed that： the soil total porosity was the highest in the Casuarina equisetifolia forest （46.168%）, but the lowest in the Encalyptus robusta forest （39.46%）. The soil capillary porosity was the highest in the Acacia mangium forest （22.57%）, but the lowest in the secondary forest （18.95%）. The soil water content was the highest in the C. equisetifolia forest, with a mean value of 27.85%, but the lowest in the secondary forest, with a mean value of 4.34%. The soil pH values were in the range of 4.81-6.59, the soils in the A. mangium forest, C. equisetifolia forest and E. robusta forest were strongly acidic （pH 4.5-5.5）, and the soils in the secondary forest and C. nucifera forest were weakly acidic. The soils had organic matter contents in the range of 0.34-28.68 g/kg, and showed an order of A. mangium forest〉C. equisetifolia forest〉E. robusta forest〉secondary forest〉C. nucifera forest, with a decreasing trend with the soil depth increasing. The soil total N contents were in the range of 0.10-1.63 g/kg, the A. mangium forest showed the highest soil total N contents, while the C. nucifera forest exhibited the lowest soil total N contents; the soil total P contents were in the range of 0.21-1.74 g/kg, and the E. robusta forest had the highest soil total P contents; and the soil total K contents were in the range of 0.16-2.15 g/kg, and the A. mangium forest exhibited the highest soil total K contents. The soil available P contents were in the range of 0.98-132.46 mg/kg; and the secondary forests had the highest soil available P contents; and the soil rapidly available K contents were in the range of 3.03-27.35 mg/kg, and the C. nucifera forest exhibited the highest soil rapidly available K contents. The soil ammonium N contents were in the range of 1.38-5.15 mg/kg, and the nitrate N contents were in the range were in the range of 0.56 -3.51 mg/kg. The A. mangium forest showed the highest soil nitrate N contents （with a mean value of 2.29 mg/kg） and ammonium N contents （with a mean value of 3.93 mg/kg）. For the same forest type, with the increase of soil depth, the nitrate nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen content also showed a decreasing trend.

Soil Carbon Stocks under Amazonian Forest:Distribution in the Soil Fractions and Vulnerability to Emission

Transformations of natural ecosystems in tropical regions, which are usually covered by high-biomass forests, contribute to increased atmospheric CO2. Much of the carbon in forest ecosystems is stored in the soil. This study estimates soil carbon stock in a dense forest in central Amazonia from sets of soil samples collected in three topographic positions (plateau, slope and valley bottom). Soil organic matter (SOM) was fractionated by density and particle size, thus obtaining the free light fraction (FLF), intra-aggregated light fraction (IALF), sand fraction (F-sand), clay fraction (F-clay) and silt fraction (F-silt). Soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks on the plateaus (Oxisol), slopes (Ultisol) and valley bottoms (Spodosol) were 98.4 ± 7.8 Mg·ha-1, 72.6 ± 5.4 Mg·ha-1 and 81.4 ± 8.9 Mg·ha-1, respectively. Distribution of carbon in soil fractions was: 112.6 ± 15 Mg·ha-1 (FLF), 2.5 ± 0 Mg·ha-1 (ILAF), 40.5 ± 1.5 Mg·ha-1 (F-silt), 68.5 ± 4.2 Mg·ha-1 (F-clay) and 28.3 ± 1.4 Mg·ha-1 (F-sand), totaling 252.4 ± 22.1 Mg·ha-1 of carbon. Carbon is largely in labile form and near the soil surface, making it liable to release from deforestation or from climate change. Spodosols are more susceptible to soil carbon losses, demonstrating the need to preserve forested areas close to Amazonian rivers and streams.

Effects of Green Manure Mixed Cropping Patterns on Physical and Chemical Properties of Soil and Economic Characters of Flue-cured Tobacco

[Objective] The aim was to clear the suitable green manure cropping pat- terns in Xiangxi tobacco-planting areas. [Method] 8 treatments were set to study the effects of the monoculture and mixed cropping of common vetch （Vicia gigantea Bge.）, perennial ryegrass （Lofium） and rapeseed （Brassica campestris L.） on physi- cal and chemical properties of soil and economic characters of flue-cured tobacco. [Result] （1） Green manure turnover can reduce soil bulk density by 1.08%-8.62%, and the effect of green manure mixed cropping pattern was the best. （2） Green manure turnover also can increase the soil nutrient, soil organic matter, total nitro- gen （N）, total phosphorus （P）, total potassium （K）, alkali-hydrolyzale N, rapidly available P and rapidly available K by 1.44%-6.10%, 0.01-0.12 g/kg, 1.89%- 11.32%, 0.12%-3.56%, 1.06%-11.76%, 0.04%-18.93% and 0.98%-23.12%, respec- tively, and the effect of the monoculture of common vetch was the best.（3） The overall change of soil pH was not obvious.（4）Green manure turnover can increase the yield and output of flue-cured tobacco, and the effect of the monoculture of common vetch was the best. [Conclusion] The monoculture of common vetch can be generalized in the dry land of Xiangxi tobacco-planting areas.

Effects of Long-Term Winter Planted Green Manure on Physical Properties of Reddish Paddy Soil Under a Double-Rice Cropping System

Soil physical properties are important indicators of the potential for agricultural production.Our objective was to evaluate the effects of long-term inputs of green manures on physical properties of a reddish paddy soil（Fe-Typic Hapli-Stagnic Anthrosols） under a double cropping system.The common cropping pattern before the study was early-late rice-fallow（winter）.The field treatments included rice-rice-fallow（R-R-WF）,rice-rice-rape（R-R-RP）,rice-rice-Chinese milk vetch（RR-MV）,and rice-rice-ryegrass（R-R-RG）.The rape,Chinese milk vetch and ryegrass were all incorporated as green manures 15 d before early rice transplanting during the following year.The soil bulk density in all green manure treatments was significantly reduced compared with the winter fallow treatment.Soil porosity with green manure applications was significantly higher than that under the winter fallow.The green manure treatments had higher 0.25-5 mm water stable aggregates and aggregates stabilities in the plow layer（0-15 cm depth） compared with the fallow treatment.The mean weight diameter（MWD） and normalized mean weight diameter（NMWD） of aggregates in the green manure treatment were larger than that with the winter fallow.Soil given green manure retained both a higher water holding capacity in the plow layer soil,and a larger volume of moisture at all matric potentials（-10,-33 and-100 kPa）.We conclude that the management of double-rice fields in southern central China should be encouraged to use green manures along with chemical fertilizers to increase SOC content,improve soil physical properties and soil fertility.

A Leguminous Shrub (Caragana microphylla) in Semiarid Sandy Soils of North China

Caragana microphylla Lam., a pioneer leguminous shrub species for vegetation re-establishment, is widely distributed in the semi-fixed and fixed sandy lands of the Horqin region. Some soil chemical and physical properties were measured under the canopy of C. microphylla and in the adjacent open areas to determine the effects of individual shrubs on soil properties. The influence of isolated C. microphylla on chemical and physical properties of the topsoil was significantly different between plots under the shrub canopy and in the shrub interspaces. Beneath the shrub canopy greater amounts of fine particle fractions, a higher water-holding capacity, and a lower bulk density, as well as higher aboveground and belowground litter biomass were found. Soil organic C and total N concentrations were 23%-31.6% and 14%-27.2% higher under the shrub canopies than in the shrub interspaces, respectively, giving rise to 'islands of fertility'. In a desertified sandy grassland ecosystem, C. microphylla was believed to play a major role in organic C sequestration, N accumulation, and the hydrologic cycle. Additionally, it has been found to be of ecological importance for vegetative restoration and reversal of desertification.

Effects of Crude Oil Contamination on Soil Physical and Chemical Properties in Momoge Wetland of China

Large oilfields are often coincidentally located in major river deltas and wetlands,and potentially damage the structure,function and ecosystem service values of wetlands during oil exploration.In the present study,the effects of crude oil contamination during oil exploration on soil physical and chemical properties were investigated in marshes of the Momoge National Nature Reserve in Jilin Province,China.The concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbons in the marsh soil near the oil wells are significantly higher than those in the adjacent control marsh.Soil water contents in oil-contaminated marshes are negatively correlated with soil temperature and are significantly lower than those in the control area,especially in fall.Crude oil contamination significantly increases the soil pH up to8.0,and reduces available phosphorus concentrations in the soil.The concentrations of total organic carbon are significantly different among sampling sites.Therefore,crude oil contamination could potentially alkalinize marsh soils,adversely affect soil fertility and physical properties,and cause deterioration of the marshes in the Momoge National Nature Reserve.Phyto-remediation by planting Calamagrostis angustifolia has the potential to simultaneously restore and remediate the petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated wetlands.Crude oil contamination affects the soil physical and chemical properties,so developing an effective restoration program in the Momoge wetland is neccesary.

Effects of Once Fenlong Cultivation on Soil Properties and Rice Yield and Quality for 7 Consecutive Years

[Objective] The objective of this study was to explore the long-term effect of Fenlong cultivation for one time. [Method] The physical and chemical properties of soil and rice yield and quality were investigated and determined by measuring the soil at the depth of 23 cm in the paddy field with Fenlong cultivation and 16 cm of control （conventional farming） for 7 years. [Result] Compared with the control, the average yield of early rice of the Fenlong cultivation increased by 1 972.5 kg/hm2 of the first year, an increase of 23.87%, and milled rice and protein increased by 15.95% and 14.61%, while the increase rates of organic matter, available nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium per hectare were 74.58%, 67.01%, 104.41% and 129.62%, respectively. In the 7th year after Fenlong cultivation, the yield increased by 234 kg/hm2 from the control, an increase of 3.21%, and milled rice and protein increased by 0.5% and 0.14%, while the increase rates of organic matter, available phosphorus and available potassium per hectare were 745.8%, 62.635 and 73.37%, respectively, and the increase rates of total nitrogen, total phosphorus and total potassium were 46.03%, 50.58% and 36.65%, respectively. During the 7 years after Fenlong cultivation, the yield increased by 3.21-23.87%, and its average net income per season increased by 1 843.61 Yuan/hm2 with a gain of 18.03%. [Conclusion] At the 7th year after Fenlong cultivation, the paddy field still had the furrow remain at a depth of 22 cm, which was 46.67% thicker than the traditional one. The yield and quality of paddy rice increased for 7 consecutive vears showed that Fenlon.q cultivation was highly feasible for paddy field.

Effect of fire severity on physical and biochemical soil properties in Zagros oak(Quercus brantii Lindl.)forests in Iran

Fire affects the physical and chemical properties and soil biological activity of natural ecosystems. This study was conducted in the Miyan Tang region, Ilam Province in western Iran. The study site was 110 hectares, where we sampled soils in areas that were classified by fire severity： low （LS）, high （HS） and medium severity （MS）, and unburned （UB）, which served as the control. In each severity class, 25 transect points were randomly selected for measurement. Around each transect plot center, 3 soil samples were selected randomly and soils collected from the 0 to 20 cm depth were combined into a composite sample that was used in laboratory analysis to represent conditions at that point. Plots in the UB and LS fire classes had similar soil conditions and had higher values of factors such as saturated moisture, organic carbon, carbon dioxide, and silt and clay content. In contrast, plots in the HS and MS fire severity classes were clustered in the positive direction along the first axis that represented gradients in soil acidity, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, accessible phosphorus, accessible potassium, bulk density, and sand. Soil attributes were similar in areas of HS and MS fire severity classes, whereas soil conditions in the LS class and UB controls were most similar. Fire in the LS areas either did not significantly alter the physicalchemical soil properties and microbial basal respiration, or soils were able to recover quickly after being burned.

Soil Loss by Wind Erosion for Three Different Textured Soils Treated with Polyacrylamide and Crude Oil, Iraq

The study is conducted to estimate the resistance of three soils (EL Hartha clay loam, Barjisiya sandy loam and the soil near the sand dunes in Sheikh sa'ad area sandy soil) to wind erosion, it is also aimed at getting full acquaintance of the relationship between the soil loss and the physical and chemical features of soil. In addition to the experiment of some soil stabilizers, polyacrylamide (PAM) concentration of 0.2 % and crude oil in concentration of 1 % in order to reduce or prevent wind erosion. The study shows that the amendment increased the dry soil aggregate >1 mm, mean weight diameter and soil moisture. It is clear that polyacrylamide had greater effect than that of crude oil, besides the great effectiveness of these amendments in decreasing bulk density and relations of soil loss.

Effect of chemical and organic fertilization on soil carbon and nitrogen accumulation in a newly cultivated farmland

Increased food demand from the rapidly growing human population has caused intensive land transition from desert to farmland in arid regions of northwest China. In this developing ecosystem, the optimized fertilization strategies are becoming an urgent need for sustainable crop productivity, efficient resources use, together with the delivery of ecosystems services including soil carbon（C） and nitrogen（N） accumulation. Through a 7-year field experiment with 9 fertilization treatments in a newly cultivated farmland, we tested whether different fertilizations had significant influences on soil C and N accumulation in this developing ecosystem, and also investigated possible mechanisms for this influence. The results showed that applying organic manure in cultivated farmland significantly increased the soil C and N accumulation rates; this influence was greater when it was combined with chemical fertilizer, accumulating 2.01 t C and 0.11 t N ha^（–1） yr^（–1） in the most successful fertilization treatment. These high rates of C and N accumulation were found associated with increased input of C and N, although the relationship between the N accumulation rate and N input was not significant. The improved soil physical properties was observed under only organic manure and integrated fertilization treatments, and the significant relationship between soil C or N and soil physical properties were also found in this study. The results suggest that in newly cultivated farmland, long term organic manure and integrated fertilization can yield significant benefits for soil C and N accumulation, and deliver additional influence on physical properties.

Experimental research on physical properties of saline soil subgrade filler in Chaerhan region

In order to improve the engineering stability of saline soil of high chloride content in the Chaerhan salt lake region, six typical characteristics saline soil samples were selected, and tests on their primary physical properties （total salt content, specific gravity of soil, liquid limit, plastic limit, maximum dry density, and optimal water content） were conducted. The relationships among them were analyzed, a series of variation laws between salt content and these basic physical parameters were determined, and regression equations were derived. This research can improve future engineering design and construction in saline soils and can also help prevent subgrade filler from undermining subgrade stability and producing disease.

Adsorption-Desorption Characteristics of Chlorimuron-Ethyl in Soils

The adsorption-desorption characteristics of chlorimuron-ethyl in soils were investigated to provide the basic data for evaluating the safety in field and the risk to water resource. The adsorption-desorption experiment was conducted by the batch equilibration and HPLC techniques; furthermore, data were analyzed with 5 mathematic models to describe the characteristics and mechanism of adsorption-desorption and translocation of the herbicide in soils. The results showed that the adsorption-desorption isotherms of chlorimuron-ethyl fitted for the Freundlich model well, and the physical reaction presents the main contribution during the adsorption-desorption process. The adsorption values （Kads-f） of chlorimuron-ethyl in 8 types of soil ranged from 0.798 to 6.891. The isotherms of 2# （Jiangxi clay） and 3# （Jiangxi sand loam） soils belong to the S-type curve, while the isotherms of another 6 type soils belong to the L-type isotherm. The results of desorption indicated that the hysteresis phenomena appeared during the desorption process, and the hysteresis coefficients （H） of the herbicides in 8 soils varied from 0.259-0.980. Furthermore, Kads-f and desorption values （Kads-f） increased with the OM （%） and the clay content increasing, while the values decreased with the soils pH increasing. The H values decreased with the OM and the clay content increasing, and increased with the soils pH increasing. It can be concluded that the low adsorption abilities of chlorimuron-ethyl in test soils and un-reversible adsorption existed in the process, which will induce the great translocation of the herbicide after application in field. It can be transported to ground or groundwater causing risk to environments. The physical and chemical properties of soils, including the OM, the clay content, and the pH of soil were the dominating factors during the adsorption-desorption.

Influences of Soil Physical Properties on Water-Supplying Capacity

The water-supplying capacity of two agricultural soils, red soil in Jiangxi Province and meadow soil in Henan Province, was assessed mainly using physical investigations. The reticulated mottting horizon in the red soil was a horizon limiting roots distribution due to its high density and hardness in structure and low pH (pH 5.05). The resistance of the red soil to drought hazard was poor because of its low water-supply capacity and poor hydraulic conductivity. The meadow soil had superior profile infiltration to that of the red soil and great available water-storage capacity) which resulted in low run-off loss, especially in the wheat-growth season. It was difficult for water stored in the deep layers of the meadow soil to reach the surface due to the low unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of its clay-rich horizon in subsoil. However, water stored in deep layers was still available because the roots could extend to the deep layers due to the relatively low density in soil structure.

Soil-nitrogen net mineralization increased after nearly six years of continuous nitrogen additions in a subtropical bamboo ecosystem

In order to understand the effects of increasing atmospheric nitrogen （N） deposition on the subtropical bamboo ecosystem, a nearly six-year field experiment was conducted in a Pleioblastus amarus plantation in the rainy region of SW China, near the western edge of Sichuan Basin. Four N treatment levels---control （no N added）, low- N （50 kg N ha-1 a-l）, medium-N （150 kg N ha-1 a-l）, and high-N （300 kg N ha-1 a-1）--were applied monthly in the P. amarus plantation starting in November 2007. In June 2012, we collected intact soil cores in the bamboo plantation and conducted a 30-day laboratory incubation experiment. The results showed that the soil N net miner- alization rate was 0.96 4- 0.10 mg N kg-1 day-1, under control treatment. N additions stimulated the soil N net mineralization, and the high-N treatment significantly increased the soil N net mineralization rate compared with the control. Moreover, the soil N net mineralization rate was significantly and positively correlated with the fine root biomass, the soil microbial biomass nitrogen content and the soil initial inorganic N content, respectively,whereas it was negatively correlated with the soil pH value. There were no significant relationships between the soil N net mineralization rate and the soil total nitrogen （TN） content and the soil total organic carbon content and the soil C/N ratio and the soil microbial biomass carbon con- tent, respectively. These results suggest that N additions would improve the mineral N availability in the topsoil of the P. amarus plantation through the effects of N additions on soil chemical and physical characteristics and fine-root biomass.

Review and prospect of the effects of freeze-thaw on soil geotechnical properties

Freeze-thaw hazard is one of the main problems in cold regions engineering and artificial ground freezing engineering.To mitigate freeze-thaw hazards,it is essential to investigate the effects of freeze-thaw on soils engineering properties.This paper summarizes the effects of freeze-thaw on the physical and mechanical properties of soils reported in recent studies.The differences of freeze-thaw conditions between freezing shaft sinking and cold regions engineering are discussed.Based on the technological characteristics of freezing shaft sinking in deep alluvium,we further attempt to identify key research needs regarding the freeze-thaw effects on the engineering properties of deep soils.