Fractal Characteristics of Stagnic Anthrosols and the Relationship with Soil Micro-Structure

Abstract

The Stagnic Anthrosols developed from quaternary yellow sedimentary parent material occupied an important position in Southwest China. Fractal dimensions of particle size and micro-aggregate size distributions of Stagnic Anthrosols and their relationship to soil micro-structure had been probed. Results showed that the soil particle size distributions were dominated by clay, the fractal dimensions of particle size distributions ( Ds) were high and between 2.676-2.925, as the fractal dimensions of micro-aggregate size distributions ( Da) were between 2.354-2.853. The fractal dimensions of particle-size distributions were preferably related with the ratio of coarse particles and fine particles (c/f 20 μm) and the micro-morphological feature of skeleton grains. The evolution degree of micro-structure among horizons were reflected by the coefficient of variation of Ds within the profile. The fractal dimensions of micro-aggregate size distributions were related with the quantities, distributions of micro-aggregates and micro-pores. Results revealed that the soil micro-structures could be quantified by fractal dimensions preliminarily.