Rapid testing and prediction of soil–water characteristic curve of subgrade soils considering stress state and degree of compaction

The subgrade soil is generally in saturated or unsaturated condition. To analyze complex thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical (THMC) behaviors of subgrade, it is essential to determine the soil–water characteristic curve (SWCC) that represents the relationship between matric suction and moisture content. In this study, a full-automatic rapid stress-dependent SWCC pressure-plate extractor was developed. Then, the influences of overburden stress and degree of compaction on the SWCC of subgrade soil such as high liquid limit silt (MH) and low liquid limit clay (CL) were analyzed. Accordingly, a new model taking into account the influences of overburden stress and degree of compaction based on the well-known Van Genuchten (VG) SWCC fitting model was presented and validated. The results show that with the increase of the degree of compaction and overburden stress, the saturated moisture content of subgrade soil decreases, while the air-entry value increases and the transition section curve becomes flat. The influences of the degree of compaction and overburden stress on the SWCC of MH is greater than that of CL. Meanwhile, there was a satisfactory agreement between the prediction and measurement, indicating a good performance of the new model for predicting the SWCC.

Study on soil water characteristics of tobacco fields based on canonical correlation analysis

In order to identify the principal factors influencing soil water characteristics （SWC） and evaluate SWC effectively, the multivariate-statistical canonical correlation analysis （CCA） method was used to study and analyze the correlation between SWC and soil physical and chemical properties. Twenty-two soil samples were taken from 11 main tobacco-growing areas in Guizhou Province in China and the soil water characteristic curves （SWCC） and basic physical and chemical properties of the soil samples were determined. The results show that： （1） The soil bulk density, soil total porosity and soil capillary porosity have significant effects on SWC of tobacco fiels. Bulk density and total porosity are positively correlated with soil water retention characteristics （SWRC）, and soil capillary porosity is positively correlated with soil water supply characteristics （SWSC）. （2） Soil samples from different soil layers at the same soil sampling point show similarity or consistency in SWC. Inadequate soil water supply capability and imbalance between SWRC and SWSC are problems of tobacco soil. （3） The SWC of loamy clay are generally superior to those of silty clay loam.

A study of Indian Ocean Subtropical Mode Water: subduction rate and water characteristics

The annual subduction rate in the South Indian Ocean was calculated by analyzing Simple Ocean Data Assimilation （SODA） outputs in the period of 1950-2008. The subduction rate census for potential density classes showed a peak corresponding to Indian Ocean subtropical mode water （IOSTMW） in the southwestern part of the South Indian Ocean subtropical gyre. The deeper mixed layer depth, the sharper mixed-layer fronts and the associated relatively faster circulation in the present climatology resulted in a larger lateral induction, which primarily dominants the IOSTMW subduction rate, while with only minor contribution from vertical pumping. Without loss of generality, through careful analysis of the water characteristics in the layer of minimum vertical temperature gradient （LMVTG）, the authors suggest that the IOSTMW was identified as a thermostad, with a lateral minimum of low potential vorticity （PV, less than 200× 10^-12 m^-1·s^-1） and a low dT/dz （less than 1.5℃/（100 m））. The IOSTMW within the South Indian Ocean subtropical gyre distributed in the region approximately from 25° to 50° E and from 30° to 39°S. Additionally, the average characteristics （temperature, salinity, potential density） of the mode water were estimated about （16.38 ± 0.29）℃, （35.46 ±0.04）, （26.02 ±0.04） ae over the past 60 years.

Characteristics of In-Situ Soil Water Hysteresis Observed through Multiple-Years Monitoring

A soil water retention curve (SWRC) is an essential soil physical property for analyzing transport and retention of water in a soil layer. A SWRC is often described as a single-valued function that relates the soil water potential ψ to volumetric water content θ of the soil. However, an in-situ ψ − θ relation should show soil water hysteresis, though this fact is often neglected in analyses of field soil water regimes while long-term in-situ soil water hysteresis is not well characterized. This study aimed at probing and characterizing in-situ ψ − θ relations. The developments of large hysteresis in the in-situ ψ − θ relations were observed only a few times during the study period of 82 months. Any of the large hysteretic behaviors in the ψ − θ relations began with an unusually strong continual reduction in ψ. The completion of a hysteresis loop required a recorded maximum rainfall. Because the study field had very small chances to meet such strong rainfall events, it took multiple years to restore the fraction of soil water depleted by the unusually strong continual reduction in ψ. While wetting-drying cycles had occurred within a certain domain of ψ, hysteretic behaviors tended to be so small that the in-situ ψ − θ relation can be approximated as a single-valued function of θ(ψ). These observed patterns of the in-situ ψ − θ relations were characterized by kinds of difference in dθ/dψ between a drying process and a wetting process at a given ψ. Thus, more amounts of experimental facts about wetting SWRCs in parallel with drying SWRCs should be needed for correct modelling, analyzing, and predicting soil water regimes in fields. It is also necessary to increase our understandings about the long-term trends of occurrences of extreme weather conditions associated with possible change in climate.

Soil water characteristics in mountain poplar stand and its benefits to soil and water conservation in loess hilly region

The soil physical properties,its water characteristics and the benefits to soil and water conservation in mountain poplar stand were determined and studied. The results of the study show that the compaction in soil profile is relatively homogeneous.the specific gravity and volume weight of soil increase with deepening of soil horizon. The water infiltration rate of soil in the stand is 17,6 times as high as in rangeland.Owing to the intense absorption of water by root system of plants,a drying layer is formed in soil horizon from 2.3 m to 2.7m,showing that the subsoil moisture is in the state of deficit. The annual water storage capacity in 2 m of soil horizon is 360 mm 370mm,or 63% 65% of annual precipitation. Compared with farmland,mountain poplar stand reduces the surface runoff and soil loss by 70% and 99%,respectively,indicating the great benefits to soil and water conservation.

A STUDY ABOUT SOIL WATER CHARACTERISTIC,CONDUCTIVITY OF WATER AND EQUILIBRIUM ADSORPTION OF CUPRIC ION IN SOIL——A UTILITY EQUIPMENT USED IN SOIL SCIENCE AND ITS ILLUSTRATION OF USE

A utility equipment used in soil science is designed and installed.The equipment can be used in research pro- grams of soil water and solute transport.Pressure in pressure chamber of the equipment in which a tested soil sam- ple is laid can be adjusted exactly so that we can determine the water content of soil sample.With the equipment we can not only study the problems related water movement in soil but also measure some solute,such as cadmi- um,plumbum and so on,adsorption on surface of soil in saturated and unsaturated state.As an illustration of the use of the equipment,we give the isothermal of cupric ion adsorption in soil.This equipment can be used in the re- search work and application of soil science.

The study on seasonal characteristics of water masses in the western East China Sea shelf area

On the basis of the CTD data and the modeling results in the winter and summer of 2009, the seasonal characteristics of the water masses in the western East China Sea shelf area were analyzed using a cluster analysis method. The results show that the distributions and temperature-salinity characteristics of the water masses in the study area are of distinct seasonal difference. In the western East China Sea shelf area, there are three water masses during winter, i.e., continental coastal water（CCW）, Taiwan Warm Current surface water（TWCSW） and Yellow Sea mixing water（YSMW）, but four ones during summer, i.e., the CCW, the TWCSW, Taiwan Warm Current deep water（TWCDW） and the YSMW. Of all, the CCW, the TWCSW and the TWCDW are all dominant water masses. The CCW, primarily characterized by a low salinity, has lower temperature, higher salinity and smaller spatial extent in winter than in summer. The TWCSW is warmer, fresher and smaller in summer than in winter, and it originates mostly from the Kuroshio surface water（KSW） northeast of Taiwan, China and less from the Taiwan Strait water during winter, but it consists of the strait water and the KSW during summer. The TWCDW is characterized by a low temperature and a high salinity, and originates completely in the Kuroshio subsurface water northeast of Taiwan.

Dynamic Characteristics and Simplified Numerical Methods of An All-Vertical-Piled Wharf in Offshore Deep Water

There has been a growing trend in the development of offshore deep-water ports in China. For such deep sea projects, all-vertical-piled wharves are suitable structures and generally located in open waters, greatly affected by wave action. Currently, no systematic studies or simplified numerical methods are available for deriving the dynamic characteristics and dynamic responses of all-vertical-piled wharves under wave cyclic loads. In this article, we compare the dynamic characteristics of an all-vertical-piled wharf with those of a traditional inshore high-piled wharf through numerical analysis; our research reveals that the vibration period of an all-vertical-piled wharf under cyclic loading is longer than that of an inshore high-piled wharf and is much closer to the period of the loading wave. Therefore, dynamic calculation and analysis should be conducted when designing and calculating the characteristics of an all-vertical-piled wharf. We establish a dynamic finite element model to examine the dynamic response of an all-vertical-piled wharf under wave cyclic loads and compare the results with those under wave equivalent static load; the comparison indicates that dynamic amplification of the structure is evident when the wave dynamic load effect is taken into account. Furthermore, a simplified dynamic numerical method for calculating the dynamic response of an all-vertical-piled wharf is established based on the P-Y curve. Compared with finite element analysis, the simplified method is more convenient to use and applicable to large structural deformation while considering the soil non-linearity. We confirmed that the simplified method has acceptable accuracy and can be used in engineering applications.

Application of New Water Flooding Characteristic Curve in the High Water-Cut Stage of an Oilfield

The oil production predicted by means of the conventional water-drive characteristic curve is typically affected by large deviations with respect to the actual value when the so-called high water-cut stage is entered.In order to solve this problem,a new characteristic relationship between the relative permeability ratio and the average water saturation is proposed.By comparing the outcomes of different matching methods,it is verified that it can well reflect the variation characteristics of the relative permeability ratio curve.Combining the new formula with a reservoir engineering method,two new formulas are derived for the water flooding characteristic curve in the high water-cut stage.Their practicability is verified by using the production data of Mawangmiao and Xijiakou blocks.The results show that the error between the predicted cumulative oil production and production data of the two new water drive characteristic curves is less than the error between the B-type water drive characteristic curve and the other two water drive characteristic curves.It is concluded that the two new characteristic curves can be used to estimate more accurately the recoverable reserves,the final recovery and to estimate the effects of water flooding.

Study on the Quality Characteristics of Gas Field Water in Eastern Sichuan

Gas field water is the formation water produced together with natural gas in the process of natural gas exploitation.The gas field water treated is difficult to reach the standard due to its wide sources,numerous types and complex composition.In addition,it can pollute soil,surface water and groundwater.In this study,the quality and pollution characteristics of gas field water in eastern Sichuan were studied by conventional water quality determination and GC-MS.The results show that the main components of gas field water in eastern Sichuan were chloride,COD Cr,SS,anionic surfactant,sulfide and other substances.The gas field water could be divided into two types according to the characteristics of water quality,of which one had high mineralization and high organic compounds,and the other had high sulfur and high organic compounds.There were 17 kinds of organic pollutants in the gas field water,mainly including alkanes,alcohols,esters and a small amount of acids.

Spatial and temporal variation of water mass mixing characteristic in the East China Sea

On the basis of the observation data of Kuroshio since 1984 and relative historical data in the East China Sea, spatial and temporal variation of water mass mixing characteristic in the observation area is analysed. The main results are as follows.

Ecological characteristics of planktonic ostracoda in the western waters of Taiwan Straits

In the sea area west of the middle line of Taiwan Straits, 116°40′～120°30′E, 22°22.9′～25°43′N, four cruises of comprehensive survey were conducted by the Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, from May, 1984 to February, 1985. The data concerned were taken from the quantitative samples obtained by using large-sized standard zooplankton nets, while the values adopted such as hydrological and chemical data of the various stations were from the average values of the field data of each one-meter layer.

Unraveling the hydraulic properties of loess for landslide prediction:A study on variations in loess landslides in Lanzhou,Dingxi,and Tianshui,China

Loess has distinctive characteristics,leading to frequent landslide disasters and posing serious threats to the lives and properties of local re sidents.The involvement of water repre sents a critical factor in inducing loess landslides.This study focuses on three neighboring cities sequentially situated on the Loess Plateau along the direction of aeolian deposition of loess,namely Lanzhou,Dingxi,and Tianshui,which are densely populated and prone to landslide disasters.The variations in hydraulic properties,including water retention capacity and permeability,are investigated through Soil Water Characteristic Curve(SWCC)test and hydraulic conductivity test.The experimental findings revealed that Tianshui loess exhibited the highest water retention capacity,followed by Dingxi loess,while Lanzhou loess demonstrated the lowest water retention capacity.Contrastingly,the results for the saturated permeability coefficient were found to be the opposite:Tianshui loess showed the lowest permeability,whereas Lanzhou loess displayed the highest permeability.These results are supported and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM)observation.In addition,the water retention capacity is mathematically expressed using the van Genuchten model and extended to predict unsaturated hydraulic properties of loess.The experimental results exhibit a strong accordance with one another and align with the regional distribution patterns of disasters.

Effects of Tillage Practices on Water Consumption, Water Use Efficiency and Grain Yield in Wheat Field

Water shortage is a serious issue threatening the sustainable development of agriculture in the North China Plain, with the winter wheat （Triticum aestivum L.） as its largest water-consuming crop. The effects of tillage practices on the water consumption and water use efifciency （WUE） of wheat under high-yield conditions using supplemental irrigation based on testing soil moisture dynamic change were examined in this study. This experiment was conducted from 2007 to 2010, with ifve tillage practice treatments, namely, strip rotary tillage （SR）, strip rotary tillage after subsoiling （SRS）, rotary tillage （R）, rotary tillage after subsoiling （RS）, and plowing tillage （P）. The results showed that in the SRS and RS treatments the total water and soil water consumptions were 11.81, 25.18%and 12.16, 14.75%higher than those in SR and R treatments, respectively. The lowest ratio of irrigation consumption to total water consumption in the SRS treatment was 18.53 and 21.88%for the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 growing seasons, respectively. However, the highest percentage of water consumption was found in the SRS treatment from anthesis to maturity. No signiifcant difference was found between the WUE of the lfag leaf at the later iflling stage in the SRS and RS treatments, but the lfag leaf WUE at these stages were higher than those of other treatments. The SRS and RS treatments exhibited the highest grain yield （9 573.76 and 9 507.49 kg ha-1 for 3-yr average） with no signiifcant difference between the two treatments, followed by P, R and SR treatments. But the SRS treatment had the highest WUE. Thus, the 1-yr subsoiling tillage, plus 2 yr of strip rotary planting operation may be an efifcient measure to increase wheat yield and WUE.

Maize grain yield and water use efficiency in relation to climatic factors and plant population in northern China

Water scarcity has become a limiting factor for increasing crop production.Finding ways to improve water use efficiency(WUE)has become an urgent task for Chinese agriculture.To understand the response of different maize populations to changes in precipitation and the effects of changes in maize populations on WUE,this study conducted maize population experiments using maize hybrids with different plant types(compact and semi compact)and different planting densities at 25 locations across China.It was found that,as precipitation increased across different locations,maize grain yield first increased and then decreased,while WUE decreased significantly.Analyzing the relationship between WUE and the main climatic factors,this study found that WUE was significantly and negatively correlated with precipitation(R(daily mean precipitation)and R(accumulated precipitation))and was positively correlated with temperature(TM(daily mean maximum temperature),T_(M-m)(T_(m),daily mean minimum temperature)and GDD(growing degree days))and solar radiation(Ra(daily mean solar radiation)and Ra(accumulated solar radiation))over different growth periods.Significant differences in maize grain yield,WUE and precipitation were found at different planting densities.The population densities were ranked as follows according to maize grain yield and WUE based on the multi-site experiment data:60000 plants ha^(-1)(P_(2))>90000 plants ha^(-1)(P_(3))>30000 plants ha^(-1)(P_(1)).Further analysis showed that,as maize population increased,water consumption increased significantly while soil evaporation decreased significantly.Significant differences were found between the WUE of ZD958(compact type)and that of LD981(semi-compact type),as well as among the WUE values at different planting densities.In addition,choosing the optimum hybrid and planting density increased WUE by 21.70 and 14.92%,respectively,which showed that the hybrid played a more significant role than the planting density in improving WUE.Therefore,choosing drought-resistant hybrids could be more effective than increasing the planting density to increase maize grain yield and WUE in northern China.Comprehensive consideration of climatic impacts,drought-resistant hybrids(e.g.,ZD958)and planting density(e.g.,60000 plants ha^(-1))is an effective way to increase maize grain yield and WUE across different regions of China.

Type of major water hazards and study of countermeasures in Shennan Mining Area

By analysing the hydrogeological conditions of this region and the coal mines hereof, together with the water hazards troubled Shennan mine area in recent years, this paper summarized six types of mine water hazards. As per the basic characteristics, geological distribution, threat degree and difficulty of prevention of various water hazards, along with the practice of water prevention in the mining area, this article proposed effective technical measures for the prevention and control of different water hazards and laid a solid foundation for the safe production in the mining area.

静电α卡法在探测滑坡地下水中的应用

静电α卡法是近年来用于水、工、环测量的一种新的放射性勘探方法。它通过累计测量氡子气体富集变化特征,以判断测量介质的性质。本文以探测滑坡体中地下水分布状况,对静电α卡法的适用条件、异常特征及其地质解释与推断作了论述与探讨。

Temperature Effects on Unsaturated Hydraulic Property of Bentonite-Sand Buffer Backfilling Mixtures

The influence of temperature on the engineered properties of bentonite-sand mixtures （B/S） is of major concern in the design of engineered barriers in underground repositories for high-level radioactive waste disposal. We experimentally studied the influence of temperature on soil unsaturated hydraulic properties related to water holding capacity and permeability of GMZ B/S in China. The vapor equilibrium method and water infiltration apparatus were used to measure the soil water characteristic curve （SWCC） and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity （k）. The results show that the SWCC under different temperatures from 20℃ to 60 ℃ tends to be the same. Temperature influence on unsaturated permeability is more relevant at low suctions, no clear effect is detected below a degree of saturation of 74%, and experimental data show that temperature dependence on unsaturated permeability is small.

Shoot and root traits in drought tolerant maize(Zea mays L.) hybrids

This study aimed to investigate the differences in shoot and root traits, and water use and water use efficiency（WUE） in drought tolerant（DT） maize（Zea mays L.） hybrids under full and deficit irrigated conditions. A two-year greenhouse study was conducted with four hybrids（one conventional hybrid, 33D53AM, two commercial DT hybrids, P1151 AM, N75H, and an experimental hybrid, Exp HB） grown under two water regimes（I（100） and I（50）, referring to 100 and 50% of evapotranspiration requirements）. Under water stress, the hybids P1151 AM, N75, and Exp HB showed more drought tolerance and had either greater shoot dry weight or less dry weight reduction than the conventional hybrid（33 D53 AM）. However, these three hybrids responded to water stress using different mechanisms. Compared with the conventional hybrid, the two commercial DT hybrids（P1151 AM and N75H） had a smaller leaf area, shoot dry weight, and root system per plant. As a result, these hybrids used less water but had a higher WUE compared with the conventional hybrid. In contrast, the experimental hybrid（ExpHB） produced more shoot biomass by silking stage at both irrigation levels than all other hybrids, but it had relatively lower WUE. The hybrids demonstrated different drought response mechanisms that may require different irrigation management strategies. More investigation and validation are needed under field conditions and in different soil types.