Solute transport as affected by surface land characteristics in gravely calcareous arid soils

Abstract

Gravely calcareous soils cover approximately most of arid lands (in percent); however, the solute transport behavior in these soils remains a current issue. This research aimed at estimating and correlating the solute transport parameters in gravely calcareous soils as being affected by different land uses through the knowledge of the soil mor- phological, physical, and chemical properties. Four different land use sites were selected: irrigated trees and bare, range, and alluvial sediment lands. Solute transport parameters of soil pore water velocity (V), dispersion coefficient (D), and retardation factor (R) were estimated using bromide break- through curve tests for surface soil columns. In addition, field Brilliant Blue FCF dye tracing experiment was conducted to determine the maximum dimensional move- ments. Soil morphological analysis was able to explain the heterogeneity in the solute transport parameters. Conductive solute transport mechanism with V of 17.99 m/day was favored in a high continuous pore system observed under tree lands. Presence of high gravel and CaCO3 contents under range lands increased pore system tortuosity and thus increased D magnitude up to 1,339.88 cm 2 /day. Existence of thin surface crusts at both bare soils and alluvial sediments had considerably restricted V down to 1.46 m/day. Dye staining technique aided the explanation of the existing variations by providing visual evidence on the preferential flow paths and patterns governing the solute transport mech- anism at each site.