Effects of Large Macropores on Saline Water Evaporation From Marsh Soil

Macropores such as crab burrows are a common feature of salt marsh sediment and are recognized as an important factor influencing pore‐water flow in salt marshes. In this study, we examined the effect of macropores on saline water evaporation and pore‐water salinity based on laboratory experiments a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water resources research 2023-03, Vol.59 (3), p.n/a
Main Authors: Xu, Xinghua, Xin, Pei, Zhou, Tingzhang, Yu, Xiayang
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Clay
coastal wetland
Evaporation
Evaporation rate
Laboratory experimentation
Laboratory experiments
Loam
macropore
Marine crustaceans
Numerical simulations
Preferential flow
Saline water
Salinity
Salinity effects
salt
Salt marshes
Saltmarshes
Sensitivity analysis
Soil
Soil columns
Soil conditions
Soil erosion
Soil layers
Soil water
Soils
Water flow
Water salinity
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Summary:Macropores such as crab burrows are a common feature of salt marsh sediment and are recognized as an important factor influencing pore‐water flow in salt marshes. In this study, we examined the effect of macropores on saline water evaporation and pore‐water salinity based on laboratory experiments and numerical simulations. Soil columns with and without an artificial macropore were packed with clay‐loam and were set with different hydraulic heads fixed at the bottom. The results showed that increase in pore‐water salinity significantly reduced evaporation rates. The preferential flow induced by macropores recharged the soil surrounding macropores and maintained higher evaporation rates in comparison with homogeneous soil without macropores. As macropores induced lateral flow, the pore‐water salinity in shallow soil around the macropores was reduced but that in the area away from the macropores was increased. These impacts were more remarkable on the soil layers with higher hydraulic heads. A sensitivity analysis showed that with a higher initial pore‐water salinity, the macropore's impact on soil evaporation rates was more remarkable for both clay‐loam and silt‐loam. These results revealed the effect of macropores on soil evaporation processes and soil conditions, and also shed light on associated biogeochemical processes in salt marshes. Key Points Macropores increased evaporation from marsh soil with high hydraulic heads Macropores altered pore‐water flow and salinity distributions Macropores' impacts were more remarkable on soil with high hydraulic heads
ISSN:0043-1397
1944-7973
DOI:10.1029/2022WR033276