Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 7, 2026
10:30
Soil Lysimeter Excavation for Coupled Hydrological, Geochemical, and Microbiological Investigations
Published on: September 11, 2016
11.2K
Multi-scale soil moisture dynamics in arid mined Loess Plateau arise from crack evolution and microstructure collapse
Ting Ma1,2, Fuquan Tang3, Furong Zhang4
1Shaanxi Railway Institute, Weinan, 710054, China. 184740779@qq.com.
Scientific Reports
|December 24, 2025
Summary
Coal mining cracks disrupt soil moisture in arid regions. Crack size and evolution impact water loss, affecting soil structure and retention, crucial for ecological restoration.
Area of Science:
- Soil Science
- Environmental Science
- Geology
Background:
- Coal mining causes subsidence and cracks, altering soil moisture dynamics in arid environments.
- Understanding the multi-scale mechanisms of mining-induced cracks on soil moisture is crucial for the Loess Plateau.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how mining-induced cracks affect soil moisture redistribution across different scales.
- To analyze the evolution characteristics of cracks and their impact on soil microstructure and hydraulic properties.
Main Methods:
- Integrated field monitoring, soil experiments, physical simulations, and numerical modeling (Hydrus-2D dual-domain model).
- Dynamic crack monitoring, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and soil water characteristic curve analysis.
- Comparative analysis of crack scales (micro, small, medium, large) and their stabilization periods.
Main Results:
- Crack evolution varied by scale: micro/small cracks stabilized slowly (20 days), medium/large cracks rapidly (8-10 days).
- Crack width and proximity determined soil moisture loss rates.
- Cracks altered loess microstructure, increasing porosity and connectivity, accelerating evaporation/infiltration, and reducing water retention capacity, with micro-cracks having the greatest impact.
Conclusions:
- Mining-induced cracks synergistically affect soil hydraulic properties through crack evolution and microstructure collapse.
- Findings provide critical insights for ecological restoration strategies in mining-disturbed loess regions.
- Preferential flow patterns near cracks were effectively modeled and validated with field data.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:20Microcracking in Concrete
407
Microcracking in concrete refers to the tiny cracks that can form within the material even before any external load is applied. These microcracks typically occur at the interface between the coarse aggregate and the hydrated cement paste, often as a result of differential volume changes prompted by variations in stress-strain behavior, as well as thermal and moisture movement. Initially, these microcracks remain stable and do not grow substantially until the concrete is stressed to about 30...
407
02:23The Soil Ecosystem
24.3K
Plants obtain inorganic minerals and water from the soil, which acts as a natural medium for land plants. The composition and quality of soil depend not only on the chemical constituents but also on the presence of living organisms. In general, soils contain three major components:
24.3K
01:10Moisture Content and Bulking of Aggregate
403
The moisture content of aggregates is a crucial factor in construction, particularly in concrete mixing, as it influences the total water required in the mix. Moisture content represents the water coated on the exterior surface of the aggregate existing in a saturated and surface-dry condition. The total water content of a moist aggregate is the sum of its moisture content and water absorption.
When aggregates are exposed to rain or sit in stockpiles, they absorb moisture, which must be...
When aggregates are exposed to rain or sit in stockpiles, they absorb moisture, which must be...
403
01:26Unsoundness of Aggregate due to Volume Change
336
Unsoundness in aggregates due to volume changes is primarily caused by the physical alterations aggregates undergo, such as freezing and thawing, thermal changes, and wetting and drying. Unsound aggregates, when subjected to these changes, result in volume change upon disintegration. This, in turn, contributes to the deterioration of concrete, including scaling, pop-outs, and cracking. Particular types of aggregates, such as porous flints, cherts, and those containing clay minerals, are...
336
01:23Pore Size Distribution
409
In concrete, the pore size distribution significantly influences the material's properties. Capillary pores, markedly larger than gel pores, form a vast network within partially hydrated cement paste, reducing the concrete's strength and increasing its permeability. This heightened permeability leads to a greater risk of damage from environmental factors like freeze-thaw cycles and chemical attacks, with the extent of vulnerability also being tied to the water-to-cement ratio.
Adequate...
Adequate...
409