This paper examines the challenges associated with maintaining stable oil pipeline performance in complex natural and climatic conditions. The aim is to analyze issues related to permafrost that influence the design, construction methods, and long-term operation of pipelines until they reach their limit state. The tasks: identifying the causes of pipeline deformation in areas of permafrost; reviewing protective measures that help maintain pipeline stability in cryogenic conditions; describing the physical processes behind seasonal cooling devices that keep thawed soils at stable subzero temperatures during the summer. The authors of this paper employ a systems-based engineering and geocryological approach that integrates the analysis of cryogenic soil structure, thermal regime, and filtration-migration processes during moisture phase transitions. This study reveals that the main problems in pipeline construction and operation within permafrost include permafrost degradation (thawing), frost heave, and slope processes that lead to uneven foundation settlement and create critical stresses in the pipeline wall. To ensure stable pipeline geometry, the authors recommend the following protective measures: polyurethane foam insulation to stabilize the thermal regime; seasonal cooling devices that operate during summer, movable supports made of cold-resistant steels with fluoropolymer-based bearing components to compensate for thermal displacements. Using operational data the authors can conclude that underground installation at a depth of 2.5 to 3 meters is a technically and economically sound solution for permafrost regions, ensuring safe operation for up to 30 years. At the same time, above-ground installation remains relevant in Arctic areas with highly ice-rich soils, where thaw depths can produce deformations exceeding 500 mm. This study achieves its aim by identifying key permafrost-related factors that influence pipeline design, construction methodology, and long-term operation.

Rainfall-induced failures in red clay slopes are common, yet the coupled influence of soil structure degradation and rainfall temporal patterns on slope hydromechanical behavior remains poorly understood. This study advances the understanding by investigating a cut slope failure in Yunnan through integrated field monitoring, laboratory testing, and numerical modeling. Key advancements include: (1) elucidating the coupled effect of structure degradation on both shear strength reduction and hydraulic conductivity alteration; (2) systematically quantifying the impact of rainfall temporal patterns beyond total rainfall; and (3) providing a mechanistic explanation for the critical role of early-peak rainfall. Mechanical and hydrological parameters were obtained from intact and remolded samples, with soil-water retention estimated via pedotransfer functions. A hydro-mechanical finite element model of the slope was constructed and calibrated using recorded rainfall, displacement data and failure surface. Six simulation scenarios were designed by combining three strength conditions (intact at natural water content, intact at saturation, remolded at natural water content) with two hydraulic conductivity values (intact vs. remolded). Additionally, four synthetic rainfall patterns, including uniform, peak-increasing, peak-decaying and bell-shaped rainfall, were simulated to evaluate their influence on pore water pressure development and slope stability. Results show remolding reduced hydraulic conductivity 4.7-fold, slowing wetting front advance and increasing shallow pore water pressure. Intact soil facilitated deeper drainage, elevating pressure near the soil-rock interface. Strength reduction induced by structure degradation (water saturating and remolding) enlarged the slope deformation zone by 1.5 times under same hydraulic conductivity. Simulations using saturated intact strength best matched field observations. The results from this specific slope indicate that strength parameters primarily control stability, while permeability affects deformation depth. Simulations considering different rainfall patterns indicate that slope stability depends more critically on the temporal distribution of rainfall intensity than on the total amount. Overall, peak-decaying rainfall led to the most rapid rise in pore water pressure, earliest instability and lowest failure rainfall threshold, whereas peak-increasing rainfall showed the opposite trends. Our findings outline a practical framework for assessing red clay slope stability during rainfall. This framework recommends using saturated intact strength parameters in stability analysis. It highlights the important influence of rainfall temporal patterns, especially those with an early peak, on failure timing and rainfall threshold.

Salinization is a growing global problem, particularly in arid and semi-arid areas, where salt concentration interferes with the soil structure, altering natural cycling, decreasing agricultural outputs, and threatening food security. Although many soil amendments have been studied, there is still a limited understanding of their interaction with soil after mixture application and the geochemical processes and long-term sustainability that govern their effects. To address this knowledge gap, this review elucidated the effectiveness and sustainability of soil amendments, biochar, humic substances, and mineral additives in restoring saline and sodic soils of arid and semi-arid region to explore the geochemical processes that underlie their impact. A systematic search of 174 peer-reviewed studies was conducted across multiple databases (Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus) using relevant keywords and the findings were converted into quantitative values to evaluate the effects of biochar, gypsum, zeolite, and humic substances on key soil properties. Biochar significantly improved cation exchange capacity, nutrient retention, microbial activity, and water retention by enhancing soil porosity and capillarity, thereby increasing plant-available water. Gypsum improved phosphorus availability, while zeolite facilitated the removal of sodium and supported microbial activity. Humic substances enhanced soil porosity, water retention, and aggregate stability. When applied together, these amendments improved soil health by regulating salinity, enhancing nutrient cycling, while also stabilizing soil conditions and ensuring long-term sustainability through improved geochemical balance and reduced environmental impacts. The findings highlight the critical role of multi-functional amendments in promoting climate-resilient agriculture and long-term soil health restoration in saline-degraded regions. Further research and field implementation are crucial to optimize their effectiveness and ensure sustainable soil management across diverse agricultural environments.

Scutellaria baicalensis is an important medicinal plant, and the diversity of its rhizosphere microbiota may influence its growth, development, and yield. Numerous studies have reported that warming associated with global climate change significantly altered plant-associated soil microbial diversity. To reveal the effects of night-time warming on the rhizosphere microbial community of S. baicalensis, soil microbial diversity in the rhizosphere (RS) and bulk soil (BS) of S. baicalensis were analyzed by employing bacterial 16S rRNA and fungal ITS sequencing technology. Warming significantly altered both bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere and bulk soils of S. baicalensis, with pronounced changes in OTU composition, relative abundances at both phylum and species levels. The analysis of alpha and beta diversity showed that warming significantly altered the fungal community structure in the rhizosphere soil (R2 = 0.423, p < 0.05) and significantly reduced the species richness in the bulk soil of S. baicalensis (Shannon and Simpson index, p < 0.05). LEfSe and functional prediction analyses revealed that warming altered the taxonomic composition of both bacterial (35 taxa, LDA > 3) and fungal (24 taxa, LDA > 4) communities in rhizosphere and bulk soils of S. baicalensis, with multiple bacterial and fungal taxa serving as treatment-specific biomarkers. Functional predictions indicated that fungal functional groups, including saprotrophic and mycorrhizal guilds, were more strongly affected by warming than bacteria. Overall, warming has a significantly stronger impact on fungal communities in the rhizosphere and bulk soils of S. baicalensis than on bacteria, and has a significantly greater effect on the diversity of microbial communities in bulk soils than that in rhizosphere soils. This study provides important data for understanding the impact of global climate change on the rhizosphere microbial communities of cultivated plants.

The carbon-rich substance known as biochar, which is made by pyrolysing organic wastes like wood chips, manure and agricultural waste, has attracted more attention lately because of its potential to improve soil fertility and mitigate climate change. The physicochemical characteristics, surface morphology and soil stability of biochar made from different agricultural feedstocks are all thoroughly examined in this paper. The study assesses how the pore structure, nutrient content and functional groups of biochar are influenced by varying pyrolysis temperatures, heating rates and feedstock compositions. These factors thereby impact the qualities of soil. Key findings reveal that biochar application improves soil structure, promotes water-holding ability and increases cation exchange capacity, consequently enhancing nutrient retention and plant growth. It also increases microbial activity and variety, which strengthens the resilience of soil ecosystems. In addition to its agronomic advantages, biochar stabilises organic carbon in the soil and lowers methane and nitrous oxide emissions, which is essential for long-term carbon sequestration. Biochar is an essential component of climate-smart agriculture since it combines these benefits to provide a sustainable means of boosting agricultural output, recovering degraded soils and reducing global warming.

Abstract Background High severity desert fires are uncommon but typically chart a new successional trajectory altering plant communities for at least 65 years. These aboveground vegetation shifts can have large implications for belowground microbial communities that maintain soil structure and nutrient cycling. High severity wildfires in forests or shrublands can severely reduce microbial species richness and biomass and alter microbiomes for decades but impacts on desert soil microbiomes are virtually unknown. The 2020 Mojave Desert Dome Fire burned 43,273 acres of Eastern Joshua tree (Yucca jaegeriana ) habitat, burning roughly 1 million trees. To track aboveground and belowground impacts of the Dome Fire, we established 9 plots (6 burned; 3 unburned) and sampled 4 subsamples per plot for 5 time points ranging from 2 weeks to 3 years post-fire. We measured initial ash depth as a proxy of soil burn severity and assessed plant mortality, plant richness, soil chemical characteristics, estimated soil microbial biomass with qPCR, and microbial richness and composition with Illumina MiSeq of 16S and ITS2 amplicons. Results Belowground communities were highly diverse, containing 25,444 bacterial, 269 archaeal, and 6,683 fungal ASVs amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) or microbial taxa. We identified at least 65 plant species and saw 80% Eastern Joshua tree mortality in burned plots over three years, with reduced plant richness post-fire except an abundance of annual herbs at 1-year post-fire, yet the fire did not significantly reduce microbial biomass or richness at any time point. Microbial communities for both bacteria and fungi showed small but significant changes, enriching for pyrophilous microbes in burned plots. We identified increases of pyrophilous microbes such as Tumebacillus , Massilia , Noviherbaspirillum bacteria and Pseudotricharina , Penicillium, Coniochaeta and Naganishia fungi. Conclusions We present the first comprehensive above and belowground examination following a natural desert wildfire including Archaea, Bacteria, and Fungi. Despite the widespread mortality of Eastern Joshua trees across 3 years, microbial biomass, richness, and community composition were mostly resistant to change, like microbial responses to low-intensity fast-moving grassland fires. Despite high resistance overall, wildfire still increased several pyrophilous bacterial and fungal taxa common after high severity shrubland and forest wildfires.

Pile foundations are critical load-bearing components in bridge structures, particularly in soft, high-moisture soils susceptible to external disturbances. This study investigated the impact of large-scale soil excavation on the stability of adjacent pile foundations through comprehensive field monitoring of a newly constructed bridge during both the bridge construction and channel excavation phases. The close proximity of the excavation site to the pile caps facilitated a detailed assessment of soil–structure interaction. The results indicate that the pile axial force peaked at the pile head and decreased progressively with depth, consistent with the load transfer mechanism of friction piles. Notably, a distinct variation in axial force was observed at the bedrock interface, attributed to reduced relative displacement between the pile and the surrounding soil. Furthermore, channel water filling raised the local groundwater table, which increased the buoyancy and reduced negative skin friction, thereby decreasing the pile axial force. The study also highlighted the sensitivity of pile deformation in soft soil to unbalanced earth pressure. Asymmetric excavation and surface surcharge loading were identified as critical factors compromising pile stability and overall structural safety. These findings provide valuable insights for construction practices and offer effective strategies to mitigate adverse excavation effects, ensuring long-term structural stability.

Co-hydrothermal treatment of straw and zeolite to produce a slow-release fertilizer as a new strategy to promote biomass waste utilization and improve the properties of saline-alkali soil.

Soil microorganisms are essential drivers of ecosystem functioning and mediate pollutant degradation, metal detoxification, and nutrient cycling. This review aims to synthesize recent mechanistic advances in understanding how microbes degrade organic contaminants, transform or immobilize metals, mitigate toxic effects on plants through chelation, redox reactions, sequestration, and support soil structure and fertility. Microbial consortia and rhizosphere-associated taxa accelerate pollutant breakdown, reduce metal toxicity, and enhance plant resilience in acidic or contaminated soils. Integration of microbial processes with amendments such as biochar and organic matter further improve remediation efficiency and sustainability. Key insights reveal that microbial signaling networks, biofilm formation, and plant-microbe interactions are critical for maintaining the ecosystem stability under stress. These findings underscore the potential of microbial driven strategies to restore degraded soils, minimize reliance on chemical inputs, and promote sustainable agricultural practices, although field-scale persistence and ecological interactions warrant further research.

Intensive greenhouse cultivation, characterized by high agrochemical inputs and minimal organic amendments, maximizes crop productivity but often leads to soil degradation and environmental harm, notably through nitrate leaching and increased nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emissions. To reduce agricultural inputs that may lead to soil degradation, this study evaluates an alternative fertilization strategy based in ecological intensification (EI). Specifically, a management system incorporating horticultural crop residues and organic amendments—with limited use of inorganic fertilizers—was compared to a conventional fertilization system (C) over a six-year period. Soil quality was assessed using physical and chemical indicators alongside microbial gene abundance (16s, ITS) and genes related to denitrification processes ( nirK , nirS , nosZ 1, and nosZ 2) measured by Real-Time PCR. The EI system enhanced soil organic matter and soil structure by enhancing macroporosity and aggregate stability. However, it also increased the risk of salinization. Fungal abundance and the key denitrification genes ( nosZ1 and nosZ2 ) were significantly higher under EI management. The fungal-to-bacterial ratio approached, but did not reach, statistical significance, and the nos/nir gene ratio—an indirect indicator of N 2 O emission potential—remained similar between treatments. These findings suggest a complex interaction between soil quality and denitrifier community dynamics that warrants further investigation, particularly to assess potential N 2 O emissions.

Prolonged plastic film mulching causes plastic residue accumulation and microplastic (MP) formation, compromising soil structure and causing contamination. This study examined mulching duration effects (0, 5, 10, 15 years) on soil MPs, physicochemical properties, microbial communities, and nutrient limitations at 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm depths in maize soils of western Jilin, China. Mulching duration significantly increased MP abundance. Film-like MPs dominated, progressively fragmenting into smaller sizes over time. Long-term mulching enhanced soil moisture and EC (Electrical Conductivity) but decreased SOC (Soil Organic Carbon) and TN (Total Nitrogen), while increasing TP (Total Phosphorus) and AP (Available phosphorus). Microbial responses diverged: bacterial diversity and network complexity rose with enhanced cooperation, whereas fungal networks showed intensified competition. Extracellular enzyme stoichiometry indicated aggravated microbial co-limitation by C (Carbon) and P (Phosphorus), driven by MP-induced SOC depletion and altered P dynamics. SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) revealed that plastic mulching directly altered soil physicochemical properties through MPs accumulation, while indirectly regulating microbial community composition, ultimately exacerbating C-P co-limitation in microbial metabolism. The study highlights soil health risks from long-term mulching and highlights the necessity to seek alternatives such as biodegradable films to mitigate soil health risks associated with long-term plastic mulching.

The operation of wide-range sprinklers on waterlogged soils is associated with a serious problem of intensive rutting, leading to disruption of irrigation technology, degradation of the soil structure and significant economic losses. This problem becomes particularly acute in the conditions of modern intensive agriculture, where the requirements for the preservation of soil fertility become a priority. The existing disparate methods for assessing the interaction of running systems with the soil do not allow for an adequate comparative analysis and selection of optimal modes of operation of equipment. In the course of the study, a comprehensive comparative analysis of two main groups of techniques was carried out: approaches based on assessing changes in soil bearing capacity under the influence of irrigation regime, and WES models using the cone index as an integral indicator of soil strength. Mathematical statistics were used to verify the results, including the calculation of the mean square deviation, coefficient of variation, Student's t-test, as well as methods of dimensionless parameter transformation and regression analysis. The conducted research made it possible to identify the structural commonality of existing computational dependencies, which became the basis for the development of a fundamentally new approach. The scientific novelty of the work is the proposal of a generalized soil strength parameter that comprehensively takes into account the bearing capacity after irrigation, the cone index, humidity and soil density. Based on this parameter, a universal calculation model has been developed that demonstrates increased accuracy in predicting track depth compared to existing analogues. For the practical application of the model, the weighting coefficients for the main types of soil conditions are determined. The proposed unified approach ensures comparability of results for different types of soils and designs of running systems, which is confirmed by high convergence with the results of previous studies. An important advantage of the model is its adaptability – the ability to adjust coefficients based on field tests for specific operating conditions.

Mass concrete foundations are widely used to support low-frequency rotary machines due to their ability to provide adequate mass, stiffness, and vibration control. However, traditional design approaches are largely empirical and may lead to inefficient material usage or inadequate vibration performance. This research review critically evaluates existing studies on the optimization of mass concrete foundations through material modification and geometric refinement. Particular attention is given to the application of rubberized concrete, where partial replacement of mineral aggregates with recycled rubber has been shown to improve damping characteristics and energy dissipation under dynamic loading. The effects of foundation geometry, including rectangular and trapezoidal configurations, on natural frequency, vibration amplitudes, and soil–structure interaction are also examined. Numerical investigations based on Finite Element Analysis dominate the recent literature and provide valuable insight into stress distribution, resonance avoidance, and dynamic response prediction. The review identifies a lack of comprehensive studies combining material and geometric optimization within a unified framework for low-frequency machines. Design implications and future research needs are discussed to support the development of performance-oriented and sustainable machine foundation systems.

Alpine grasslands on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau are highly sensitive to climate change and human disturbances, and their degradation poses serious threats to ecosystem stability and soil conservation. Belowground bud banks form the foundation of vegetative regeneration, yet their variation along degradation gradients and the soil factors regulating these changes remain insufficiently understood. In this study, we investigated the density and composition of belowground buds in grasses, sedges, and forbs across four degradation levels during the peak growing season and examined the soil controls shaping these responses. The results showed that moderate degradation significantly increased total bud density, indicating enhanced clonal renewal capacity, whereas severe degradation markedly reduced bud-bank potential. Bud types from different functional groups responded differently to soil conditions: rhizome buds of grasses were mainly driven by soil fertility, while tiller buds were more sensitive to soil compaction and carbon–nitrogen availability; rhizome buds of sedges could still develop in compact, nutrient-poor soils; and bud types of forbs were more responsive to variations in soil nutrient status or soil structure. Structural equation modeling further revealed that the formation of the belowground bud is primarily influenced by soil physico-chemical properties, particularly soil nutrients, which regulate regenerative capacity under degraded alpine grasslands. This study reveals the variation patterns of belowground bud banks along degradation gradients in alpine grasslands on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and their responses to soil factors, and it elucidates the pathways through which degradation mediates belowground bud bank dynamics via soil physico-chemical properties, particularly soil nutrients, thereby providing a scientific basis for understanding the regeneration potential of alpine grasslands and for the sustainable management and ecological restoration of degraded alpine grasslands.

Laboratory-scale physical modeling has established itself as an effective technique for investigating mechanisms underlying geotechnical problems. Recently, the use of transparent materials, combined with advances in digital imaging technologies, has emerged as an innovative and non-invasive approach for analyzing soil behavior. Transparent soils are biphasic systems composed of translucent solid particles and saturating fluids with closely matched refractive indices, enabling clear observation of internal processes. Digital Image Correlation (DIC) has proven particularly effective when integrated with transparent soil models. As a non-contact optical method, DIC minimizes interference and measurement inaccuracies associated with traditional instrumentation, allowing more reliable interpretation of displacement and strain fields. Recent studies have increasingly focused on transparent soils for modeling geosynthetic-reinforced soil structures. In this work, the behavior of embankments constructed over soft soils improved with geosynthetic-encased granular columns (GECs) was investigated using stratified transparent soil models. The study evaluated the mechanisms of load transfer from the embankment to the columns, as well as resulting deformations and differential settlements. Transparent soil modeling allowed observation of key load transfer mechanisms, such as soil arching within the PTC, and enabled evaluation of the soil arching ratio. Overall, transparent soil modeling proved to be a suitable and effective technique for simulating this type of geotechnical system, providing valuable insights into its behavior.

Abstract Background and Aims Subsoil constraints are a widespread limitation to agricultural production in southern Australia, reducing rooting depth and access to water and nutrient resources. The addition of organic amendments and gypsum to dispersive soils has been shown to enhance soil structure and crop nutrition, with potential to significantly increase crop yields. The spatial variation of soil types and constraints within paddocks necessitates zone-specific amelioration strategies that are more cost-effective. Methods Intact soil columns were collected from two distinct soil zones of a single paddock to explore the variation in crop response to several traditional and novel ameliorants under controlled conditions. Ameliorants were incorporated at a depth of 15—30 cm, prior to planting wheat ( Triticum aestivum L. cv. Mace). Resulting changes in physicochemical soil properties and yield components were then quantified. Results The performance of amendments on soil properties and plant productivity depended on the soil zone. In Soil Zone 1, combinations of organic amendments and selected biochar products increased root growth into the dispersive subsoil, and increased yields by up to 55% relative to the control. In contrast, although all amendment combinations reduced dispersion in Soil Zone 2, no benefits to crop growth or grain yield were observed. Conclusions These findings highlight that the agronomic effectiveness of soil amelioration depends strongly on underlying soil characteristics. Tailored interventions that account for within-paddock soil variability are essential for maximising crop response and ensuring the economic viability of amelioration in heterogeneous landscapes.

Post-earthquake soil chemical analysis is critical for understanding environmental and agricultural impacts as well as public health concerns. Earthquakes often disrupt soil structures, leading to changes in pH levels, nutrient content, and the release of contaminants such as heavy metals and organic pollutants. These chemical alterations have far-reaching consequences for soil fertility, vegetation growth, and water quality. This study provides a comprehensive review of the changes in soil chemical properties caused by seismic events and highlights their implications for sustainable recovery and environmental resilience. Key mechanisms such as liquefaction, erosion, and industrial contamination are discussed, along with the effects on soil's physical and chemical stability. The paper identifies key challenges in post-earthquake soil assessments, including spatial variability of soil conditions, complex contaminant interactions, and technical limitations in testing and monitoring equipment. The absence of baseline soil data in many seismic regions further hinders accurate assessment. The study emphasizes the need for improved soil monitoring networks, international cooperation, and advancements in analytical techniques. Future research priorities are proposed, including the development of standardized methods for soil chemical assessments, exploration of sustainable remediation technologies, and integration of emerging technologies such as remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) to accelerate data collection. The findings underscore the importance of interdisciplinary research involving soil science, environmental health, and civil engineering to foster holistic solutions for mitigating earthquake-induced soil changes and improving post-disaster recovery strategies.

Soil health is supported by diverse communities of organisms, including springtails and earthworms, facilitating essential processes such as nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and soil structure maintenance. Cultural control methods promoted through Integrated Pest Management (IPM) are often assumed to be environmentally friendly, and their potential effects on soil health have received limited attention. Biofumigation, a cultural tactic, utilizes cruciferous plants like Brassica juncea (Brassicales: Brassicaceae), or their byproducts, to control soil-borne pests, yet their impacts on non-target organisms remain understudied. In this greenhouse study, we evaluated the impact of soil biofumigation with brown mustard seed meal (BMSM) on the springtail Folsomia candida (Entomobryomorpha: Isotomidae) and the earthworm Eisenia fetida (Opisthopora: Lumbricidae). An 85% reduction in springtail populations was recorded within 1h of BMSM application. However, the springtail population recovered and surpassed the number of springtails in untreated media after 26days. Earthworms preferred untreated media over BMSM-treated media immediately after incorporation. However, earthworms reared in the biofumigated media had higher body weight and produced more viable cocoons compared to those reared in untreated media. The negative effects of biofumigation on springtails and the deterrence of earthworms appeared to be short-lived and may later contribute to their reproductive fitness.

Chitosan-based biostimulants for improving soil health, water and nutrient availability.

Effects of biochar on farmland soil aggregate stability and phosphorus desorption.