Use of multifractal parameters to determine soil particle size distribution and erodibility of a physical soil crust in the Loess Plateau, China

Abstract

Understanding the knowledge of multifractal analysis on particle size distribution (PSD) of soil physical crusts is indispensable for progressing soil surface erosion mode. In this study, hoeing tillage (20 cm long × 15 cm wide × 5 cm deep) were conducted to simulate classic tillage mode in Yangling, China to obtain physical crusts under artificial rainfall (60 mm h−1 intensity with three durations (5, 15, and 30 min)). We defined crusts formed in ridges as structural crust (Cst), formed by infiltration of runoff in hoes as sediment-containing depositional crust (Cscd), and formed by the extraction of runoff as sediment-free depositional crust (Csfd). Soil stratification methods were used to explore physical crust particle sorting. Results represented that the sand content of Cst, Cscd, and Csfd decreased, whereas clay and silt contents increased after rainfall compared to undisturbed soil. There was no significant difference between Cscd and Csfd under short rainfall duration. Three crust types became gradually concentrated in areas with higher density with increasing rainfall duration according to six common parameters in the generalised dimension spectrum (D0, D1, D2, D1/D0, Dv(D-10–D0), and Ds(D0–D10)). Multifractal singularity spectrum (α0, Av, Fv) showed that PSD was most symmetrical in Csfd, followed by Cscd and Cst. Erodibility index KEPIC was largest for Cst, followed by Csfd then Cscd. The relationship between KEPIC and multifractal parameters were significant. Spatial difference caused by tillage activities and rainfall events determine the heterogeneous formation mode, particle size distribution and erodibility of physical crust.