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Water and Salt Movement in Unsaturated Frozen Soil: Principles and Field Observations
Author(s) -
Cary J. W.,
Papendick R. I.,
Campbell G. S.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1979.03615995004300010001x
Subject(s) - frost heaving , infiltration (hvac) , soil water , loam , hydraulic conductivity , soil science , water flow , field capacity , silt , environmental science , chemistry , hydrology (agriculture) , geology , geotechnical engineering , materials science , geomorphology , composite material
Soil temperatures, electrical conductivities, and water redistribution were measured at four field sites during a 30‐day period in which the soil was never completely thawed. The soil on each site was a silt loam with varying aspects and vegetation covers. Both upward and downward flow of water and solutes were observed. Assuming that liquid water flow in frozen soil is analogous to unsaturated liquid flow in unfrozen soil, led to a simple equation that in general agreed with the field observations. The equation requires knowledge of the soil temperatures, the solute concentrations, and two constants that characterize the soil's water release curve and saturated hydraulic conductivity. Infiltration and frost heaving are discussed with respect to this simple theory. Water in frozen soil flows from high to low temperatures and from high to low salt concentrations. Consequently, solutes in even very low salt soils are important in decreasing frost heave and increasing infiltration. The liquid flow is so closely coupled with temperature that heat flow must be considered simultaneously in any comprehensive analysis. This coupling, as expressed in the simple liquid flow equation, accounts for the effect of soil water content on frost heave rates and the effects of temperature on maximum heaving pressures.