Multidimensional analysis of particle size fractal characteristics in a farmland soil profile

Abstract

Soil particle size distribution (PSD) is a basic soil property, closely related to soil erosion, soil moisture, and so on. The multidimensional fractal method has been proved to be a better description of soil PSD. By choosing the four fractal parameters of Δa, ΔaR/ΔaL, D1/D0 and, Δf(a)R/Δf(a)L, and using the multifractal spectrum, this paper analyzed one- and two-dimensional fractal characteristics of the soil profile (A, B, and C layers from top to bottom) PSD and their relationship on a field scale. The results showed that the PSD characteristics of different soil profiles were more heterogeneous in the east and west (WE) than the north and south (NS) in the study area, and the A layer soil PSD was the most uneven, with a larger degree of dispersion. With the soil layer depth, the soil PSD tended to be uniform. Regardless of one-dimensional or two-dimensional characteristics, the proportion of the low value of soil particle mass percent was relatively larger. The results of this study will not only provide a reference method for analyses of the fractal characteristics of soil PSD on a field scale, but also provide guidance in further understanding the soil structure and soil forming process.