古尔班通古特沙漠南缘丘间地土壤水分特征曲线及模拟

为研究干旱荒漠地区土壤水分特征的变化规律并探讨土壤水分特征曲线拟合模型的适宜性,以古尔班通古特沙漠南缘丘间地为研究对象,应用压力膜仪测定了丘间地剖面各土层(0—150cm)的土壤水分特征曲线,结合土壤容重、颗粒分布及饱和含水率等性质,分析了丘间地不同土层水分特征和孔隙大小的分布状况,明确了Gardner模型和van Genuchten模型拟合的适用性。结果表明:(1)丘间地剖面砂质土壤释水量伴随吸力呈规律性变化,低吸力段(0~100kPa)各土层水分特征曲线走势陡直,释水性强;中高吸力段(100~1 500kPa)曲线趋于平缓,持水性强。水分曲线特征与其物理性质一致,各土层物理性质差异较小,曲线的差异也较小。(2)丘间地剖面各土层大孔隙由上到下不断增加且20—40cm土层的小孔隙最多,有助于春季积雪融化迅速入渗到土壤里贮存,对植物吸收利用水分有重大意义。(3)两模型都能很好地拟合丘间地的土壤水分特征曲线,VG模型的拟合效果优于G模型,但G模型形式简单、参数少且易于求解,更便于实际应用。     

含残膜土壤水分特征曲线模型构建

农膜残留在土壤中累积后必然会改变土壤水动力学性能,导致土壤水分入渗能力下降,并严重影响土壤水和溶质运移。而土壤水分特征曲线是影响土壤水分和溶质运移的重要土壤水动力学参数,为了探索残膜对其影响机理,该文通过室内试验设置了5个不同残膜量(0、50、100、200、400 kg/hm2)处理,研究了残膜对土壤水分特征曲线的影响,构建了残膜条件下土壤水分特征曲线模型(soil water characteristic curve with residual plastic film,RPF-SWCC),并对其性能进行了评价。结果表明:随着土壤中残膜量增多,土壤保水能力逐渐呈降低趋势;且低吸力段(主要排大孔隙土壤水)的当量孔径体积占比增大,而高吸力段(主要排中小孔隙土壤水)的当量孔径体积占比则减小,其中400 kg/hm2残膜含量处理比无膜处理大孔隙当量孔径占比增大近20%。对RPF-SWCC模型参数估计,显示随残膜量增加土壤饱和含水率呈降低趋势,且RPF-SWCC模型拟合精度总体上高于van Genuchten(VG)、Brooks-Corey(BC)及Log normal distribution(LND)常用土壤水分特征曲线模型;对高残膜量处理,RPF-SWCC模型的均方根误差,几何平均数及决定系数R2均优于常用模型,且200、400 kg/hm2残膜含量处理RPF-SWCC模型的均方根误差比VG模型分别降低了24.3%和65.0%,可见构建的RPF-SWCC模型能较好地应用于含残膜土壤的水分特征曲线拟合。该研究可为农膜残留地区水分迁移模拟以及水肥高效利用提供理论依据和技术支撑。     

高矿化度对砂性土毛细水上升影响

为明晰极端干旱区高盐度潜水蒸发机理,指导盐荒地开发与水盐调控,开展了砂性土条件下,不同粒径及潜水矿化度（1、30、100、250 g/L）组合的毛细水上升试验。结果表明,试验后期毛细水上升规律稳定时段：粗砂土柱,潜水矿化度越大,毛细水上升高度越小;细砂土柱,1 g/L处理毛细水上升高度明显大于其他3组;粉土土柱,不同处理毛细水上升高度由大到小为：30、100、250、1 g/L。试验初始阶段,除粗砂外并不表现为矿化度越大,毛细水上升速度越小的趋势。相比高矿化度,粒径是控制毛细水上升的主要因素。研究表明,土体颗粒较细时（细砂、粉土）,高矿化度不仅改变毛细水重力,也使得土体孔隙结构发生不同程度变化,二者综合作用于毛细水上升过程。     

溶质类型与矿化度对土壤持水特性的影响

土壤水分特征曲线是研究土壤水分运动与调控等方面的重要科学依据。以往土壤水分特性曲线的研究关注土壤孔隙特性的影响,而对土壤液体的影响关注较少。为此,本研究以甘肃省秦安县果园黑麻土为研究对象,采用室内模拟的方法,研究了不同矿化度(0、1、3、5、10 g L-1)的NaCl和Na2SO4溶液对土壤脱水曲线及拟合参数的影响。结果表明:水质的矿化度对土壤饱和含水量有一定的影响,低矿化度(3 g L-1)仅对低吸力段(pF2.5)水分特征曲线有影响,高矿化度(≥3 g L-1)对整个吸力段(pF在0~4.2)水分特征曲线有影响,其中矿化度为5 g L-1的NaCl和Na2SO4处理土壤容积含水量最小,且较对照差异最大。相同矿化度的NaCl和Na2SO4溶液对土壤水分特征曲线参数变化率的影响程度不同,对α的影响最为显著,其次为θs,再次为n。NaCl对参数α和n变化率的影响均随矿化度的增大呈先增加后降低趋势,而Na2SO4对参数α和n变化率的影响随矿化度的增大呈先降低后增大的趋势,且NaCl对土壤持水特性的影响大于Na2SO4。     

小麦根系机械作用对土壤水分特征曲线的影响

为探讨小麦根系机械作用对土壤水分特征曲线的影响,通过室内土柱试验,分层测定了0-40 cm土层小麦不同种植密度下的土壤水分特征曲线,以及土壤饱和含水量、毛管水含量等水力特征参数,并用Gardner模型对土壤水分特征曲线进行拟合,对比研究了小麦不同种植密度下土壤水分特征曲线及持水性、供水性以及土壤水分有效性.结果表明:由于不同种植密度及不同土层小麦根系发育与分布的差异,使其对土壤机械作用程度不同,导致土壤水分特征曲线存在明显差异.根系对土壤不同大小孔隙影响程度不同,使土壤饱和含水量、毛管水含量以及土壤有效水含量都受到不同程度的影响.而土壤的供水能力也因土壤孔隙的变化而发生改变,0-20 cm土层土壤供水能力呈现随种植密度增大而减弱的趋势;而20-40 cm土层,较高种植密度逐渐显现出更强的供水能力.     

深耕对黑土水分特征及动态变化影响

水分特征曲线是反映土壤持水性、供水性和水分有效性的重要参数。为明确深耕对黑土土壤水分特征及有效性的影响,通过田间多点取样,比较研究了深耕与常规耕作对土壤水分特征曲线、孔隙组成及水分动态变化影响。研究结果显示:深耕提高土壤饱和含水量和田间持水量,土壤水分特征曲线符合Van Genuchten模型,相关显著;深耕提高土壤有效孔隙比例,有效孔隙增加5.48%~82.00%;深耕提高了0~40 cm土层有效水储量,其中速效储水量和迟效储水量分别比对照增加1.54和1.21倍;深耕改变了作物整个生育期间土壤水分动态变化,5 cm土层土壤受降雨影响波动性大,对照、深耕无差异,15 cm、25 cm土层对照水分高于深耕,60 cm土层土壤水分含量对照低于深耕;对照0~30 cm土层土壤耗水量高于深耕7.8 mm,30~60 cm土层低于深耕7.2 mm,深耕深层土壤水分利用率高,是对照的1.74倍。黑土深耕可提高土壤水分有效性和总储量。     

三峡山地不同坡位土壤的水分特征曲线及水力学性质

山地不同坡位的土壤水力学性质研究可为地表水文过程预测和坡地生态修复提供参考。通过采集三峡库区大老岭林区山地不同坡位的原状土样,测定饱和导水率、当量孔径、水分库容等水力学参数,利用V-G模型拟合土壤水分特征曲线,评价不同坡位土壤的渗透性能和持水能力。结果表明:坡顶土壤的入渗性能最好,平均饱和导水率为108.54 cm/d,其他坡位平均饱和导水率为34.81～47.56 cm/d。坡顶土壤的持水能力最差,吸力值从0增至100 kPa,含水量下降幅度最大(63.67%),其他坡位下降幅度在46.36%～52.07%。坡顶土壤大孔隙体积比最大可达20.95%,其他坡位在12.27%～16.58%。田间持水量库容占总库容的百分比以坡顶土壤最小(45.24%),其余在60.08%～65.33%。用V-G模型拟合土壤水分特征曲线,各样点决定系数R~2均大于0.95,拟合效果较好。饱和导水率与大孔隙体积比、砂粒含量呈正相关,与粉粒含量和黏粒含量呈负相关。V-G模型参数α与进气值相关,α值越小,持水能力越强。试验中α值与砂粒含量、大孔隙体积比呈正相关,与粉粒含量和黏粒含量呈负相关。砂粒和大孔隙越多,土壤持水性越差。参数n的取值影响拟合水分特征曲线的弯曲程度,n值越小,曲线越平缓。试验中n值与砂粒含量呈正相关,与粉粒含量呈负相关。砂粒含量越多,随吸力增大土壤排水越快。可见,山地坡面顶部土壤的持水能力最差,渗透能力最强,其他坡位差异不显著,V-G模型拟合的结果与实测结果一致。     

滤纸法测非饱和黄土土水特征曲线试验及拟合研究

土—水特征曲线是非饱和土力学研究的重要曲线,其拟合参数对于分析非饱和土的各种性质具有重要意义。基于滤纸法试验,测定了庆阳非饱和黄土土—水特征。以Gardner模型为基础,采用计算机语言MATLAB中的Lsqcurvefit、Nlinfit、Fminunc函数对试验结果进行拟合,同时对基质吸力与土体微观平面孔隙率及体积含水率间关系进行综合研究,结果表明:Nlinfit函数拟合效果较好,参数相近,曲线整体形状符合土水特征曲线(SWCC)的特征,且Nlinfit函数拟合的SWCC误差小于10%,具有较好的精度和稳定性。     

紫色土埂坎根-土复合体土水特性与抗剪强度

研究根-土复合体土-水特征曲线与抗剪强度的关系,可为紫色土埂坎根-土复合体强化机理的揭示与埂坎稳定性的维持提供科学依据。选取三峡库区典型紫色土坡耕地埂坎草本植物根—土复合体为研究对象,结合Hyprop2土壤水分特征曲线测量仪、滤纸法与直剪试验,拟合土-水特征曲线,揭示基质吸力对根-土复合体抗剪强度的影响。结果表明:(1)根-土复合体土-水特征曲线明显分为边界效应区、过渡区与非饱和残余区,3种常用模型(B-C、VG、F-X)中F-X模型拟合该曲线效果最好,根-土复合体饱和含水率、进气吸力、残余区含水率以及相同体积含水率下的基质吸力均高于素土。(2)随着体积含水率降低,根-土复合体黏聚力先增大后减小,试验范围内黏聚力最大值51.25 kPa出现在体积含水率约23%时,内摩擦角则线性增大。相同体积含水率下,根-土复合体黏聚力较素土最大增加50%,内摩擦角提升不大。(3)基质吸力对根-土复合体抗剪强度的增强作用具有阶段性特征,各阶段临界吸力值与土-水特征曲线一致,过渡区(基质吸力为3~500 kPa)土体抗剪强度提高明显,进入非饱和残余区后(基质吸力>500 kPa)由于黏聚力下降,土体抗剪强度增速减慢,根-土复合体抗剪强度随基质吸力增大而提升的幅度大于素土。通过建立埂坎根-土复合体土-水特征曲线和抗剪强度的关系,可估测实际工况下的埂坎土体抗剪强度,进而为坡耕地埂坎的建设、维护管理以及坡耕地侵蚀阻控提供理论依据。     

不同矿化度咸水结冰灌溉对重度盐碱地土壤水分入渗和盐分运移的影响

为探究不同矿化度咸水结冰灌溉对重度盐碱地土壤水分入渗和盐分运移的影响。采用室内有机玻璃土柱模拟试验,设置3个梯度灌水水质(蒸馏水、3 g/L微咸水、10 g/L咸水)和2种灌溉方式(结冰灌溉、直接灌溉)的6种不同处理,对土壤的水分入渗特性及脱盐效果进行对比分析研究。结果表明:(1)3个梯度灌水水质下,结冰灌溉方式的土壤初始入渗速率分别是直接灌溉方式的8.2,4.6,5.8倍。结冰灌溉方式下,灌溉水矿化度越高,土壤入渗速率越快;(2)Kostiakov模型适合拟合不同矿化度咸水结冰灌溉方式下的土壤水分入渗过程,Horton模型适合拟合不同矿化度咸水直接灌溉方式下的土壤水分入渗过程;(3)3个梯度灌水水质下,直接灌溉方式0—60 cm土层土壤含水率较结冰灌溉方式分别提高1.4%～6.3%,1.6%～3.6%,0.9%～7.6%;(4)各处理下0—30 cm土层土壤脱盐效果较为显著,盐分不断向土层60 cm处迁移,各处理土壤脱盐率逐渐降低。0—30 cm土层处,淡水直接灌溉方式下土壤脱盐率最大(93%～97%),3 g/L微咸水结冰灌溉的脱盐率次之(87%～91%)。50—60 cm土层处,淡水结冰灌溉方式下土壤脱盐率最高(13.3%),其次为3 g/L微咸水结冰灌溉方式(9.1%)。综合考虑,3 g/L微咸水结冰灌溉能够提高土壤水分入渗速率,有效降低0—60 cm土层的土壤盐分含量。     

崩岗不同土层土壤水力学特性差异性分析

为研究崩岗不同土层土壤水力学特性的差异性,采用离心法测定不同土层土壤水分特征曲线,筛选出适合的土壤水分特征曲线拟合模型,结合统计模型,推求土壤的当量孔径分布、比水容量、非饱和导水率和扩散率,分析崩岗不同土层土壤水力学参数的变化规律。结果表明,崩岗土层从红土层到砂土层的变化过程中,土壤质地由黏土向砂土变化;Fredlund&Xing模型对崩岗土壤土水特征曲线拟合效果最好;参数θs、α、n随着质地变黏重逐渐减小;随着土层深度的增加,土壤的持水性能降低;土壤比水容量、非饱和导水率和扩散率受土壤质地和基质吸力的共同影响。在低吸力阶段,3个指标随基质吸力变化比较平缓,砂土层土壤比水容量和非饱和导水率最大,扩散率最小;而在高吸力阶段,砂土层土壤的这些指标降低较快,且低于其他土层,各层土壤间导水率和扩散率差异随着基质吸力的增加而增大。     

Field compaction at different soil-water status: effects on pore size distribution and soil water characteristics of a Rhodic Ferralsol in Western Cuba

The level of compaction induced on cultivated fields through trafficking is strongly influenced by the prevailing soil-water status and, depending on the attendant soil degradation, vital soil hydraulic processes could be affected. Therefore, understanding the relationship between field soil-water status and the corresponding level of induced compaction for a given load is considered an imperative step toward a better control of the occurrence of traffic-induced field soil compaction. Pore size distribution, a fundamental and highly degradable soil property, was measured in a Rhodic Ferralsol, the most productive and extensively distributed soil in Western Cuba, to study the effects of three levels of soil compaction on soil water characteristic parameters. Soil bulk density and cone penetration index were used to measure compaction levels established by seven passes of a 10 Mg tractor at three soil-water statuses corresponding to the plastic (Fs), friable (Fc) and relatively dry soil (Ds) consistency states. Pore size distribution calculated from soil water characteristic curves was classified into three pore size categories on the basis of their hydraulic functioning: >50 μm (f_>50 μm), 50–0.5 μm (f_{50–0.5 μm}) and <0.5 μm (f_<0.5 μm). The greatest compaction levels were attained in the Fs and Fc soil water treatments, and a significant contribution to compaction was attributed to the existing soil water states under which the soil compaction was accomplished. Average cone index (CI) values in the range of 2.93–3.70 MPa reflected the accumulation of f_<0.5 μm pores, and incurred severe reductions in the volume of f_>50 μm pores in the Fs and Fc treatments, while an average CI value of 1.69 MPa indicated increments in the volume of f_{50–0.5 μm} in the Ds treatment. Despite the differential effects of soil compaction on the distribution of the different pore size categories, soil total porosity (f_Total) was not effective in reflecting treatment effects. Soil water desorption at the soil water potentials evaluated (0.0 to −15,000 cm H₂O) was adversely affected in the f_<0.5 μm dominated treatments; strong soil water retention was observed with the predominance of f_<0.5 μm, as was confirmed by the high water content at plant wilting point. Based on these findings, the use of field capacity water content as the upper limit of plant available soil water was therefore considered inappropriate for compacted soils.     

Effect of water content on the fabric of a soil material: an experimental approach

To characterize the fabric of a wet soil sample two sets of experiments were performed. In one, water retention and shrinkage curves were determined with samples stored at the field water content, and in the other, pore size distribution curves and microscopic observations were made as samples progressively dried. The experiments were performed with soil samples of different aggregate sizes to determine the contribution of each class of pores to porosity.
Data were analysed by comparing (i) the amount of water extracted from the sample, (ii) the air-filled porosity of the sample and (iii) the accumulated pore volume by mercury injection, each in relation to the equivalent pore radius. This gives information on the geometry of pores developed during the drying process. It has shown that micrometric cracks in dried soils are not artefacts but the result of a more severe drying never reached by the material in the field.     

非饱和土双应力变量广义土水特征曲线模型验证

利用基于轴平移技术的Geo-Expert高级型应力相关土-水特征曲线压力板仪研究不同覆土压力(0、40、100、200 k Pa)对南阳膨胀土土水特征曲线(soil-water characteristic curve,SWCC)的影响;并对提出的考虑土体变形及多孔隙分布形态的双应力变量广义SWCC表征方程进行如下试验验证:1)不同覆土压力下微多孔隙分布形态的南阳膨胀土侧限固结试验及脱湿试验SWCC验证;2)零净法向应力状态双孔隙尺度硅藻土双峰SWCC试验验证;3)不同净围压状态下单孔隙尺度韩国残积土SWCC试验验证;4)多应力路径下法国Bapaume黄土,不同初始干密度下日本Edosaki砂土在脱湿-吸湿过程SWCC试验验证;并比较分析新方程与van Genuchten方程及Fredlund等方程的差异性。结果表明:1)覆土压力会显著改变膨胀土结构及孔隙通道,进而改变SWCC边界效应区、过渡区形态;也改变了双重孔隙尺度土壤的进气值;第1个波峰SWCC进气值均在1 k Pa左右;相比于零覆土压力试样,40、100、200 k Pa覆土压力试样第2个波峰SWCC进气值分别高4.74、17.58、67.23 k Pa;2)未考虑净法向应力影响的单应力状态多峰SWCC、考虑侧限双应力状态多峰SWCC、各向同性净法向应力单峰SWCC、不同脱湿-吸湿路径SWCC及不同初始干密度的SWCC试验拟合曲线均表明,双应力广义SWCC具有包容复杂影响因素的能力;3)新方程能够利用至少3个土-水数据即可拟合出具有较高的精度的整条SWCC。研究为定量描述土壤的持水、渗透及强度特性提供参考。     

不同沙土配比根系层土壤的持水特性研究

因地制宜地配置不同沙土比例的根系层是运动场草坪场地建造中最为关键的技术之一。试验将沙土配比设为11个处理,即沙/(沙+土)从0～100kg100kg-1,每10kg100kg-1为一个梯度,并采用压力膜法研究了不同沙土配比土壤的持水特性。结果表明,公式θ=AS-B能较好地拟合不同沙土配比土壤的水分曲线,所得方程均达到了极显著(0.001)水平;随含沙量增加,土壤脱湿曲线逐渐下移,表明同一土壤吸力条件下,土壤含水量随含沙量增加逐渐降低;根据土壤比水容量出现10-2级的先后顺序,11个配比土壤的供水能力可归结为三类。水分有效性受配比土壤的颗粒组成影响呈现出不同的变化规律,且与颗粒粒级的相关性显著。     

Water retention characteristics of soils with double porosity

A soil with double porosity is modelled as a collection of aggregated particles, in which a single aggregate is made up of discrete particles bonded together. Separate fractal distributions for pore sizes around and within aggregates are defined. The particle size distribution of the double porosity soil is also modelled using a fractal distribution, which may have a fractal dimension very different to those defining the pore sizes. The surface areas of the particles and the pores within the aggregates are assumed to be equal, enabling an expression linking two fractal dimensions to be defined. It is necessary to introduce ratios between maximum and minimum particle and pore sizes into the expression. A theoretical soil‐water characteristic curve is then derived for a double porosity soil. The curve, and the underlying assumptions regarding the distributions of pore and particle sizes, showed good agreement with experimental data for a range of soils having double porosity. A discontinuity is observed in the soil‐water characteristic curve at a second air entry value related to the maximum pore size within the aggregates, a feature also observed in experimentally obtained soil‐water characteristic curves for double porosity soils.     

非饱和土双应力变量广义土水特征曲线理论模型构建

土水特征曲线(soil-water characteristic curve,SWCC)方程是非饱和土力学中最重要的土性表征手段之一。该文评价当前经典的SWCC方程,指出其未具有包容复杂因素的能力,具有灵活性的优点但却同时具有对试验数据量依赖性高的缺点,不能处理多孔隙尺度集群土体固-液-气共同运动及作用的水力-力学耦合效应问题。建立双应力变量广义SWCC概念图示并定义相对体积含水比,基于Fredlund双应力变量理论及van Genuchten土-水表征方程,构建考虑土体变形及多孔隙分布形态的双应力状态变量的广义SWCC方程。相较于2个参数的Brooks等的方程、3个参数的van Genuchten方程以及4个参数的Fredlund等的方程,广义SWCC方程仅3个参数,其中2个参数在双对数坐标系的"相对体积含水比-吸力"平面中进行最小二乘法线性拟合得到,仅1个参数需非线性最小二乘法拟合得到。该模型可利用不同应力状态下的至少3个土水试验数据点,绘制出1条具有适宜精度的单峰SWCC;方程考虑了多峰孔隙概率密度函数分布及土体变形因素,实现了从应力历史推广到应力状态的广义情况,为定量描述不同孔隙结构土体双应力状态下的持水特性、渗透特性和强度特性提供了一条途径。     

华北平原海水灌溉对土壤性质和菊芋产量的影响

Irrigation with various dilutions of seawater can act as an alternate water resource and thus plays an important role in saving freshwater resources as well as promoting agriculture in the coastal semi-arid areas of the North China Plain. Jerusalem artichoke （Helianthus tuberosus L.） grown in a field experiment was irrigated with seawater diluted with freshwater from 2001 to 2003 to determine the feasibility of seawater irrigation in the Laizhou area. For treatments of CK （non-irrigation） along with seawater concentrations of 25%, 50%, and 75%, total dissolved solid （TDS） in the non-irrigated soil significantly increased （P ≤ 0.05） in both 2002 and 2003 and was 1.3 times higher in 2003 than in 2001. In the 25% and 50% seawater concentration treatments, TDS in 2001 was significantly greater （P ≤ 0.05） than CK; however, TDS in these two treatments decreased by 34.9% and 40.1%, respectively, in 2003 compared with 2001. The sodium adsorption ratio （SAR） remained below 10 mmol^1/2 L^-1/2, indicating that alkalization was low with seawater irrigation. In 2001 and 2002, compared to CK and the irrigation treatment with 75% seawater, irrigation with 25% and 50% seawater increased the yields of Jerusalem .artichoke. This meant that Jerusalem artichoke could be safely grown in salt-affected land of Laizhou area with 25% and 50% seawater irrigation.     

Soil-water retention behavior of compacted biochar-amended clay: a novel landfill final cover material

Purpose

Biochar has long been proposed for amending agricultural soils to increase soil-water retention capacity and therefore promotes crop growth. Recent studies revealed the potential use of biochar-amended soil in landfill final covers to promote methane oxidation and odor reduction. However, the effects of biochar application ratio, compaction water content (CWC), and degree of compaction (DOC) on soil-water retention characteristics of biochar-amended clay (BAC) at high soil suction (dry condition) are not well understood. The present study aims to overcome this knowledge gap.

Materials and methods

Soil suction was induced using vapor equilibrium technique by a temperature- and humidity-controlled chamber, and the water desorption (drying) and adsorption (wetting) water retention curves (WRCs) of compacted pure kaolin clay and peanut shell BAC with different biochar application ratios (0, 5, and 20 %, w/w), DOCs (80, 90, and 100 %), and CWCs (30 and 35 %) were measured. The correlations between these factors and the gravimetric water content were analyzed by three-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey HSD test. The soil micro-structure was studied by scanning electronic microscope with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.

Results and discussion

Measured WRCs of BAC suggest that the soil-water retention capacity at high suction range (48.49–124.56 MPa) was in general increased, upon biochar application. The BAC compacted with CWC of 35 % at low (80 %) and high (100 %) DOCs for the 5 % BAC were increased by 7.30 and 9.77 %, when compared with clay, while the increases of 20 % BAC were 39.89 and 59.20 %, respectively. This is attributed to the embedded effects of clay particles in biochar pores, which reduce the total pore space of BAC. The soil-water retention capacity of BAC was also increased with CWC and decreased with DOC. The results of three-way ANOVA analysis show that the effects of DOC and biochar ratio on soil gravimetric water content was significant (p?<?0.05) only at 48.49 MPa on drying path. For other induced suctions, only effects of CWC were significant (p?<?0.05).

Conclusions

Biochar application increases soil-water retention capacity of the BAC at high soil suction (48.49–124.56 MPa) (dry condition) at both low (80 %) and high DOC (100 %). The soil-water retention capacity of 20 % BAC was much higher than that of 5 % BAC. BAC is a potential alternative landfill final cover soil with a higher soil-water retention capacity to be used in dry areas or regions with a long period of evaporation event.