Dynamic monitoring of soil bulk density and infiltration rate during coal mining in sandy land with different vegetation

To investigate the effects of coal mining on soil physical properties,sandy lands with three major vegetation types(Salix psammophila,Populus simonii,and Artemisia ordosica)were investigated by the ring knife method and double-ring infiltrometer.Specifically,variations in soil bulk density and water infiltration rate and the influences of coal mining and vegetation type on the properties during different subsidence stages were studied at the Shendong Bulianta mine.The results showed that,in the period before mining,soil bulk density occurred in the order A.ordosica>P.simonii>S.psammophila,with a negative correlation between the initial infiltration rate and steady infiltration rate being observed.In the period during mining and 3 months after mining,there were no significant differences in soil bulk density and water infiltration rate among vegetation types.At 1 year after mining,the soil bulk density occurred in the order A.ordosica>S.psammophila>P.simonii,having a negative correlation with the steady infiltration rate.The water infiltration depths of the S.psammophila,P.simonii and A.ordosica were 50,60,and 30 cm,respectively.The infiltration characters were simulated by the Kostiakov equations,and the simulated and experimental results were consistent.Linear regression revealed that vegetation types and soil bulk density had significant effects on soil initial infiltration rate during the four study periods,and the infiltration rate of the period 1 year after mining was mainly influenced by the soil bulk density of the period before mining.The results indicated that vegetation types had significant effects on soil bulk density,and that the tree-shrub-grass mode was better than one single plantation for water conversation and vegetation recovery in sandy land subjected to mining.

Comparison of models to predict air infiltration rate of buildings with different surrounding environments

The air infiltration rate of buildings strongly influences indoor environment and energy consumption.In this study,several traditional methods for determining the air infiltration rate were compared,and their accuracy in different scenarios was examined.Additionally,a method combining computational flow dynamics(CFD)with the Swami and Chandra(S-C)model was developed to predict the influence of the surrounding environment on the air infiltration rate.Two buildings in Dalian,China,were selected:one with a simple surrounding environment and the other with a complex surrounding environment;their air infiltration rates were measured.The test results were used to validate the accuracy of the air infiltration rate solution models in different urban environments.For the building with a simple environment,the difference between the simulation and experimental results was 0.86%–22.52%.For the building with a complex environment,this difference ranged from 17.42%to 159.28%.We found that most traditional models provide accurate results for buildings with simple surrounding and that the simulation results widely vary for buildings with complex surrounding.The results of the method of combining CFD with the S-C model were more accurate,and the relative error between the simulation and test results was 10.61%.The results indicate that the environment around the building should be fully considered when calculating the air infiltration rate.The results of this study can guide the application of methods of determining air infiltration rate.

Estimation and inter-comparison of infiltration models in the agricultural area of the Mitidja Plain, Algeria

Infiltration is an important part of the hydrological cycle, and it is one of the main abstractions accounted for in the rainfall-runoff modeling. The main purpose of this study is to compare the infiltration models that were used to assess the infiltration rate of the Mitidja Plain in Algeria. Field infiltration tests were conducted at 40 different sites using a double ring infiltrometer. Five statistical comparison criteria including root mean squared error(RMSE), normalized root mean squared error(NRMSE), coefficient of correlation(CC), Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency(NSE), and Kling-Gupta efficiency(KGE) were used to determine the best performing infiltration model and to confirm anomalies between predicted and observed values. Then we evaluated performance of five models(i.e., the Philip model, Kostiakov model, Modified Kostiakov model, Novel model, and Horton model) in simulating the infiltration process based on the adjusted performance parameters cited above. Results indicated that the Novel model had the best simulated water infiltration process in the Mitidja Plain in Algeria. However, the Philip model was the weakest to simulate the infiltration process. The conclusion of this study can be useful for estimating infiltration rate at various sites using a Novel model when measured infiltration data are not available and are useful for planning and managing water resources in the study area.

Threshold pressure and infiltration behavior of liquid metal into fibrous preform

A dynamic measuring apparatus was developed to investigate the infiltration process of liquid metal into the fibrous preform. 10% （volume fraction） chopped carbon fiber preforms were infiltrated with magnesium alloy under different infiltration pressures. The threshold pressure and flow behavior of liquid metal infiltrating into the preforms were calculated and measured. The microstructure of obtained Ct4Mg composites was observed. The results indicate that the measured threshold pressure for infiltration was 0.048 MPa, which was larger than the calculated value. The infiltration rate increased with the increase of infiltration pressure, but the increase amplitude decreased gradually. The tiny pores in the composites could be eliminated by increasing the infiltration pressure. When the infiltration pressure rose to 0.6 MPa, high quality C1/Mg composite was obtained.

Clogging Process Caused by Organic Particle Accumulation and Biofilm Growth in Subsurface Wastewater Infiltration System

Substrate clogging is the worst operational problem for subsurface wastewater infiltration system （ SWIS ）, nevertheless quantitative understanding of the clogging process is currently very limited. In this study, the developing process of clogging caused by organic particle accumulation and biofilm growth was investigated in two groups of lab-scale SWIS, which were fed with glucose （dissolved organic matter） and starch （particulate organic matter） influent and filled with the same substrate made of 50% brown soil and cinder at a weight of 50%. Results showed that in glucose-fed systems the growth of biofilm in the substrate pores certainly caused remarkable reduction of effective porosity, especially for the high concentration organic wastewater, whereas its influence on infiltration rate was negligible. In comparison with biofllm growth, organic particles accumulation could rapidly reduce infiltration rate and the clogging occurred in the upper layer in starch-fed systems and the most important contribution of biofilm growth to clogging was accelerating the occurrence of clogging.

Effects of Organic Compound Fertilizers on Soil Water Infiltration Characteristics

In order to study the effects of organic compound fertilizers on soil water infiltration characteristics,an indoor one-dimensional soil column water infiltration test was carried out.Six soil sample treatment groups were set,namely marshy solonchak(control check,CK for short),bamboo charcoal-mixed marshy solonchak,Difuyuan-mixed marshy solonchak,salined flavo-aquic soil(CK),bamboo charcoal-mixed salined flavo-aquic soil and Difuyuan-mixed salined flavo-aquic soil.After 120 min of infiltration,compared with the CK groups of marshy solonchak and salined flavo-aquic soil,the cumulative infiltration volumes of the bamboo charcoal and difuyuan treatment groups increased by -18.78%,-3.93% and 25.77%,6.53%,respectively;and the displacement increased by -18.93%,1.64% and 22.6%,12.5%,respectively.The relationship between the wetting front displacement and time conformed to a linear function.The effects of organic compound fertilizers on the initial infiltration rates of marshy solonchak and salined flavo-aquic soil were significant,and the relationship between infiltration rate and time conformed to a power function.The vertical distribution of soil moisture under the application of organic compound fertilizers showed that the moisture content changed relatively small within 5 cm of the surface soil layer,then decreased slowly within 5-10 cm of the soil layer,and decreased drastically below 10 cm of soil layer;and relative to the CK group,the application of organic compound fertilizers was beneficial to increase the moisture content of salined flavo-aquic soil.The organic compound fertilizers reduced the water infiltration capacity of marshy solonchak and improved the water infiltration capacity of salined flavo-aquic soil.Compared with Difuyuan,bamboo charcoal reduced the water infiltration capacity of marshy solonchak better and improved the water permeability of salined flavo-aquic soil more significantly.

Nitrogen removal by three types of bioretention columns under wetting and drying regimes

The behaviors of inorganic nitrogen species in three types of bioretention columns under an intermittently wetting regime were investigated. The mean NH+4—N, NO-3—N and total N(TN) removal efficiencies for the conventional bioretention column(Col. T1) are 71%, 1% and 41%, for layered bioretention column with less permeable soil layer(Col. T2) the efficiencies are 83%, 84% and 82%, and for the bioretention column with submerged zone(Col. T3) the values are 63%, 31% and 53%, respectively. The best nitrogen removal is obtained using Col. T2 with relatively low infiltration rate. Adsorption during runoff dosing and nitrification during the drying period are the primary NH+4—N removal pathways. Less permeable soil and the elevated outlet promote the formation of anoxic conditions. 30%–70% of NO-3—N applied to columns in a single repetition is denitrified during the draining period, suggesting that the draining period is an important timeframe for the removal of NO-3—N. Infiltration rate controls the contact time with media during the draining periods, greatly influencing the NO-3—N removal effects. Bioretention systems with infiltration rate ranging from 3 to 7 cm/h have a great potential to remove NO-3—N.

Spatial distribution of Agriophyllum squarrosum Moq. (Chenopodiaceae) in the straw checkerboards at a revegetated land of the Tengger Desert, northern China

The present study focuses on straw checkerboards established in the Shapotou Desert Research and Experimental Station at the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert and their effects on the species richness and the abundance of Agriophyllum squarrosu Moq. Specifically, detailed analyses on the spatial distribution of A. squarrosum and the related soil properties were carried out at a small scale in the straw checkerboards. A. squarrosum is an excellent pioneer plant for revegetation in desert areas. However, the distribution pattern of A. squarrosum and the influencing factors have not been sufficiently delineated. The results showed that the species richness and the abundance of A. squarrosum were decreased exponentially from the border to the center of the straw checkerboards. At the micro-geomorphological scale, the soil texture, soil organic matter （SOM）, soil nutrients （nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium）, and soil infiltration rate in the topsoil tended to increase from the center to the border within a straw checkerboard, while soil moisture presented an opposite tendency. The soil seed bank ofA. squarrosum, soil bulk density, electrical conductivity, sand content, CaCO3 accumulation, and pH showed no significant difference （P〉0.05） between the border and the center of the straw checkerboards. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the abundance of A. squarrosum was mainly determined by the concentrations of SOM, nitrogen, and the infiltration rate, implying that nutrient acclimation was the optimal competitive strategy ofA. squarrosum for surviving in a barren natural environment of an arid desert region.

Influence of Vegetation on Runoff and Sediment in Wind-water Erosion Crisscross Region in the Upper Yellow River of China

All characteristics of vegetation,runoff and sediment from 1960 to 2010 in the Xiliu Gully Watershed,which is a representative watershed in wind-water erosion crisscross region in the upper reaches of the Yellow River of China,have been analyzed in this study.Based on the remote sensing image data,and used multi-spectral interpretation method,the characteristics of vegetation variation in the Xiliu Gully Watershed have been analyzed.And the rules of precipitation,runoff and sediment's changes have been illuminated by using mathematical statistics method.What′s more,the influence mechanism of vegetation on runoff and sediment has been discussed by using the data obtained from artificial rainfall simulation test.The results showed that the main vegetation type was given priority to low coverage,and the area of the low vegetation coverage type was reducing year by year.On the country,the area of the high vegetation coverage type was gradually increasing.In a word,vegetation conditions had got better improved since 2000 when the watershed management project started.The average annual precipitation of the river basin also got slightly increase in 2000–2010.The average annual runoff reduced by 37.5%,and the average annual sediment reduced by 73.9% in the same period.The results of artificial rainfall simulation tests showed that the improvement of vegetation coverage could increase not only soil infiltration but also vegetation evapotranspiration,and then made the rainfall-induced runoff production decrease.Vegetation root system could increases the resistance ability of soil to erosion,and vegetation aboveground part could reduce raindrop kinetic energy and splash soil erosion.Therefore,with the increase of vegetation coverage,the rainfall-induced sediment could decrease.

Double-Ring Infiltrometer for <i>In-Situ</i>Permeability Determination of Dam Material

Three types of natural soils are studied in this paper: 1) a postglacial silt, 2) a glacial till, and 3) a postglacial sand. The former two are soils from embankment dam sites in Sweden, and the latter is a soil from a natural deposit situated in the Swedish east coastal region. In situ Double-ring infiltrometer (DRI) tests are compared with laboratory constant-head permeability determinations. This study shows that the DRI tests conducted on sandy-silty soils are within sufficient range to the laboratory results, to suggest that in situ near-saturated infiltration capacity may be used as a field estimate of hydraulic conductivity (permeability) for this range of soils. In situ infiltrometer testing may be the better alternative when there is difficulty in achieving representative field conditions in a laboratory setting, e.g., for widely graded soils such as glacial tills.

Influence of soil organic matter contents on soil water characteristics of forests on east slope of Gongga Mountain

By testing soil organic matter （SOM） contents, soil water contents （SWC） within low suctions, and saturated infiltration rates of samples taken from east slope of Gongga Mountain of China, the enhancive effects of SOM contents on SWC within low suctions and saturated infiltration rates were quantified. The simulated functions might be applied on regional experience forest-hydrology model. The improving function of protecting forest floor and increasing SOM contents on forest ecosystem hydrological effects were also embodied.

Exploring the factors influencing the hydrological response of soil after low and high-severity fires with post-fire mulching in Mediterranean forests

Despite ample literature,the influence of the individual soil properties and covers on the hydrological response of burned soils of forests has not clearly identified.A clear understanding of the surface runoff and erosion rates altered by wildfires and prescribed fires is beneficial to identify the most suitable post-fire treatment This study has carried out a combined analysis of the hydrological response of soil and its driving factors in burned forests of Central-Eastern Spain.The pine stands of these forests were subjected to both prescribed fire and wildfire,and,in the latter case,to post-fire treatment with mulching.Moreover,simple multi-regression models are proposed to predict runoff and erosion in the experi-mental conditions.In the case of the prescribed burning,the fire had a limited impact on runoff and erosion compared to the unburned areas,due to the limited changes in soil parameters.In contrast,the wildfire increased many-fold the runoff and erosion rates,but the mulching reduced the hydrological response of the burned soils,particularly for the first two-three rainfalls after the fire.The increase in runoff and erosion after the wildfire was associated to the removal of the vegetation cover,soil water repellency,and ash left by fire;the changes in water infiltration played a minor role on runoff and erosion.The multi-regression models developed for the prescribed fire were accurate to predict the post-fire runoff coefficients.However,these models were less reliable for predictions of the mean erosion rates.The predictions of erosion after wildfire and mulching were excellent,while those of runoff were not satisfactory(except for the mean values).These results are useful to better understand the relations among the hydrological effects of fire on one side and the main soil properties and covers on the other side.Moreover,the proposed prediction models are useful to support the planning activities of forest managers and hydrologists towards a more effective conservation of forest soils.

Applicability of Artificial Recharge of Groundwater in the Yongding River Alluvial Fan in Beijing through Numerical Simulation

A groundwater transient flow model was developed to evaluate the applicability and effectiveness of artificial recharge scenarios in the middle-upper part of the Yongding River alluvial fan in Beijing. These scenarios were designed by taking into account different types of recharge facilities and their infiltration rate with the Middle Route Project for South-to-North Water Transfer（MRP） as the recharge water source. The simulation results suggest that：（1） the maximum amount of artificial recharge water, for scenario I, would be 127.42×106 m3 with surface infiltration facilities; and would be243.48×106 m3 for scenario II with surface infiltration and recharge wells under the constraint of the upper limit of groundwater;（2） with preferred pattern of recharge facilities, groundwater levels in both optimized recharge scenarios would not exceed the upper limit within the given recharge period; and（3implementation of the recharge scenarios would efficiently increase the aquifer replenishment and the groundwater budget will change from-54.11×106 to 70.89×104 and 183.36×104 m3, respectively. In addition, under these two scenarios groundwater level would rise up to 30 and 34 m, respectively, without increasing the amount of evaporation. The simulation results indicate that the proposed recharge scenarios are practically feasible, and artificial recharge can also contribute to an efficient recovery of groundwater storage in Beijing.

Field and Numerical Tests of the Two-Ponding Depth Procedure for Analysis of Single-Ring Pressure Infiltrometer Data

The two-ponding depth （TPD） analysis procedure of single-ring infiltrometer data can yield invalid results, i.e., negative values of the field-saturated soil hydraulic conductivity or the matric flux potential, denoting failure of the two-level run. The objective of this study was to test the performance of the TPD procedure in analyzing the single-ring infiltrometer data of different types of soils. A field investigation carried out in western Sici]y, Italy, yielded higher failure rates （40%） in two clay loam soils than in a sandy loam soil （25%）. A similar result, i.e., fine-textured soils yielding higher failure rates than the coarse-textured one, was obtained using numerically simulated infiltration rates. Soil heterogeneity and reading errors were suggested to be factors determining invalid results in the field. With the numerical data, allowing a less generic definition of soil heterogeneity, invalid TPD results were occasionally obtained with the simultaneous occurrence of a high random variation （standard deviation ≥ 0.5） and a well developed structural correlation for saturated hydraulic conductivity （correlation length 〉 20 cm）. It was concluded that a larger number of replicated runs should be planned to characterize fine-textured soils, where the risk to obtain invalid results is relatively high. Large rings should be used since they appeared more appropriate than the small ones to capture and average soil heterogeneity. Numerical simulation appeared suitable for developing improved strategies of soil characterization for an area of interest, which should also take into account macropore effects.