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.

Evaluating mechanism and inconsistencies in hydraulic conductivity of unsaturated soil using newly proposed biochar conductivity factor

In the past few decades,numerous studies have been conducted to promote the use of biochar as a soil amendment and most recently,for compacted geo-engineered soils.In general,the definite trends of biochar effects on water retention and fertility of soils have been confirmed.However,the biochar effects on hydraulic conductivity,particularly unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of soil-biochar mix remain unclear,making it difficult to understand water seepage in both agricultural and geo-engineered infrastructures in semi-arid regions.This study examines the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity function derived based on the measurements of soil water characteristic curves of soil with biochar contents of 0%,5%and 10%.A new parameter“biochar conductivity factor(BCF)”is proposed to evaluate the inconsistency in reported biochar effects on soil hydraulic conductivity and to interpret it from various mechanisms(inter-and intra-pore space filling,cracking,aggregation,bio-film formation and piping/internal erosion).The impact of biochar content on unsaturated hydraulic conductivity appears to reduce as the soil becomes drier with minimal effect in residual zone.Qualitative comparison of near-saturated hydraulic conductivity with test results in the literature showed that the BCF is generally higher for smaller ratio of sand to fine content(clay and silt).Moreover,the particle size of biochar may have significant influence on soil permeability.Future scope of research has been highlighted with respect to biochar production for its applications in agriculture and geo-environmental engineering.Long term effects such as root decay and growth,aggregation and nutrient supply need to be considered.

Anisotropy of Soil Hydraulic Properties Along Arable Slopes

The spatial variations of the soil hydraulic properties were mainly considered in vertical direction. The objectives of this study were to measure water-retention curves, θ（ψ）, and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity functions, K（ψ）, of the soils sampled at different slope positions in three directions, namely, in vertical direction, along the slope and along the contour, and to determine the effects of sampling direction and slope position of two soil catenas. At the upper slope positions, the surface soils （0-10 cm） sampled in the vertical direction had a lower soil water content, 0, at a certain soil water potential （-1 500 kPa 〈 ψ 〈 -10 kPa） and had the greatest unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, K, at ψ 〉 -10 kPa. At the lower slope positions, K at ψ〉 -10 kPa was smaller in the vertical direction than in the direction along the slope. The deep soils （100 110 cm） had similar soil hydraulic properties in all the three directions. The anisotropic variations of the hydraulic properties of the surface soils were ascribed to the effects of natural wetting and drying cycles on the structural heterogeneity. These results suggested that the anisotropy of soil hydraulic properties might be significant in influencing soil water movement along the slope and need to be considered in modeling.

Estimation of Soil Hydrodynamic Parameters Related to Agricultural Practices -Case of the Tougou Experimental Site （Burkina Faso）

This study aims to estimate the hydrodynamic properties of soils under various agricultural practices in the Tougou catchment in northern Burkina Faso. The methodology adopted is based on the determination of the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity and capillary sorptivity close to saturation. This method relies on the measurement of the transient infiltration flux at the soil surface with imposed hydraulic head varying from -60 to -20 mm. These tests are carried out on control, stony line, half-moon and zai plots. The results show a difference in hydrodynamic parameters according to the agricultural practices. The unsaturated hydraulic conductivity is 33.1 cm/h, 13.1 cm/h, 20.3 cm/h and 4.0 cm/h for zai, control, stony line and half-moon plots respectively. The unsaturated hydraulic conductivity is 33.1 cm/h, 13.1 cm/h, 20.3 cm/h and 4.0 cm/h for zai, control, stony line and half-moon plots respectively. The pores participating to water transfer also differ. The mean size of drainable pores is 43.7, 56.2, 22.3 and 87.2 pm on control, stony line, half-moon and zai plots respectively.

Characterising Vertical Redistribution on Irrigated Furrows in the Tukulu Soil

Subsurface soil water redistribution on the South African Tukulu, also referred as the Cutanic Luvisols in other countries, was evaluated following single run irrigation （20, 40, 80 and 160 L/min inflow rates） in 90 m furrows. Changes in soil water content （SWC） at three horizons were monitored using neutron water meter. Measurements were made every 10 m starting 5 m from the furrow inlet for 455 h. HYDRUS-2D software was used to estimate soil hydraulic parameters through inverse optimization algorithms for redistribution at the inlet, midpoint and furrow end. Optimized model parameters compared with initial estimates recorded satisfactory agreement between measured and predicted soil water content, despite spatial variability. Effective hydraulic conductivity （Keff） for 0-600 mm and 0-850 mm profile flow domains demonstrated linearity with SWC although inconsistencies under field conditions were inevitable. The underlying layer restricted gravity and augmented redistribution with Keff assuming a steeper gradient than normal. Conversion of KCff and soil water content into a ratio assisted in quantifying rate of redistribution at 0-600 mm and 0-850 mm profile depth. Vertical redistribution was found to be limited within the upper 600 mm depth thus providing the opportunity to develop furrow irrigation with confidence that water productivity is optimized.