Unraveling soil filling and transport in fissures on karst slopes using multiple tracers

Abstract

The fragile ecological environment and unique surface–subsurface geological duality of karst regions have led to complex processes and rates of underground soil loss, which is subject to much controversy. However, to ensure the ecological sustainability of karst areas, it is imperative to address this issue systematically using innovative study methods. With focuses on ten fissures and fivecross-sections in a typical karst area in southwestern China, this study applied unmanned aerial vehicles for field surveys and indoor modeling techniques to investigate the distribution density of fissures in typical karst areas, which is crucial for calculating underground soil loss. By measuring magnetic susceptibility, organic carbon content, and particle size of fissure soils, the primary sources of soil in the fissures were identified. Additionally, the rate of soil loss passing through karst fissure was calculated using 137Cs tracing and 14C dating techniques. Results indicate that (1) the proportion of fissure area per square kilometer of land is 1.59 %; (2) the soil in the fissures is mainly filled with the topsoil outside the fissures, and (3) the average rate of soil filling into the fissures is 16.13 t km−2 yr−1, account for only 5.8 % of the total soil erosion modulus. The study shows that soil filling into fissures is the main process of underground soil loss on karst slopes, and the rate of soil loss through fissures is very small. This study offers valuable insights into soil movement processes and quantification of soil erosion in karst regions, thus aiding in the preservation and sustainable management of these unique ecosystems.