Soil water and salt distribution characteristics with sand pipe

• Published in: World journal of engineering 2019-04, Vol.16 (1), p.44-50
• Main Authors: Liu, Liang, Zhao, Yuling, Cheng, Dongjuan, Ma, Baoguo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural production; Correlation analysis; Experiments; Irrigation; Laboratory tests; Leaching; Moisture content; Pipes; Salinity; Sand; Soil properties; Soil water; Water infiltration; Wetting front
• ISSN: 1708-5284; 2515-8082
• DOI: 10.1108/WJE-09-2018-0316

Purpose Hydraulic conductivity is very low in saline-sodic soil, which decreases water infiltration. For saline-sodic soil, increasing infiltration water has a special meaning. Increasing infiltration water not only increases the water in the soil profile but also decreases the salinity of the soil, thus making it suitable for growing crops. This study aims to examine the effect of sand pipes on soil water and salt distribution through laboratory tests with different depths and diameters of sand pipes. Design/methodology/approach The soil water and salt distribution responses to different sand pipe depths and diameters was investigated. Treatments included sand pipes with diameters of 4 cm, 5cm, 6 cm and the same depth of 4 cm; with depths of 2cm, 6 cm and the same diameter of 5 cm, and a control with no sand pipe (with the diameter of 0 cm and the depth of 0 cm). Findings The results suggested that the amount of cumulative infiltration water and transport distance of the wetting front could be increased by increasing the depth and diameter of sand pipes. The soil water content in the soil profile decreased under all treatments except for the control, whereas the value of EC increased with increasing distance from the film hole center. Positive relationships were also found among the sand pipe depth, diameter and the zone of low salt content. Furthermore, salt leaching depth increased with sand pipe depth and diameter. Overall, the treatments with and without sand pipes exhibited obvious differences. Originality/value The correlation analysis proved that increasing the infiltration area through sand pipes positively affected the amount of infiltration water, wetting scope and salt leaching depth.