Freeze-thaw processes of active-layer soils in the Nanweng'he River National Natural Reserve in the Da Xing'anling Mountains,northern Northeast China

The active-layer soils overlying the permafrost are the most thermodynamically active zone of rock or soil and play important roles in the earth-atmosphere energy system. The processes of thawing and freezing and their associated complex hydrothermal coupling can significantly affect variation in mean annual temperatures and the formation of ground ice in permafrost regions. Using soil-temperature and-moisture data obtained from the active layer between September 2011 and October 2014 in the permafrost region of the Nanweng'he River in the Da Xing'anling Mountains, the freeze-thaw characteristics of the permafrost were studied. Based on analysis of ground-temperature variation and hydrothermal transport characteristics, the thawing and freezing processes of the active layer were divided into three stages:(1) autumn-winter freezing,(2) winter freeze-up, and(3) spring-summer thawing. Variations in the soil temperature and moisture were analyzed during each stage of the freeze-thaw process, and the effects of the soil moisture and ground vegetation on the freeze-thaw are discussed in this paper. The study's results show that thawing in the active layer was unidirectional, while the ground freezing was bidirectional(upward from the bottom of the active layer and downward from the ground surface).During the annual freeze-thaw cycle, the migration of soil moisture had different characteristics at different stages. In general, during a freezing-thawing cycle, the soil-water molecules migrate downward, i.e., soil moisture transports from the entire active layer to the upper limit of the permafrost. In the meantime, freeze-thaw in the active layer can be significantly affected by the soil-moisture content and vegetation.     

艾比湖地区冻融作用对梭梭群落土壤酶活性及微生物数量的影响

冻融作用对酶和微生物活性具有重要影响,进而影响植物群落的生长发育。为深入了解荒漠优势种梭梭群落冬季土壤生态过程,于2012年10月~2013年10月,对土壤冻融期、冻结期、融冻期和生长季的艾比湖典型样地进行野外实地观测、采样和室内分析。通过对比分析不同冻融阶段土壤含水量、pH值、有机质、全氮、酶活性和微生物数量的变化特征。结果表明:(1)土壤含水量,融冻期 >冻结期 >冻融期 >生长季,土壤pH值,生长季 >融冻期 >冻融期 >冻结期,各土层土壤含水量以浅层土表现最为显著(P <0.05),不同冻融阶段各土层pH值差异性较大,冻融期、冻结期和生长季表层土壤pH值较大,融冻期浅层土壤pH值较大。(2)土壤有机质和全氮含量的波动状况相似,分别在融冻期和生长季呈现波峰和波谷,不同土层间全氮和有机质含量差异性较小,以冻融期和生长季表现最为显著(P <0.05)。(3)土壤酶活性的变化中,过氧化氢酶、脲酶和蛋白酶在融冻期含量最大,冻融期次之,蔗糖酶在冻结期活性最大,土壤微生物数量的变化以融冻期最大,除此之外,各冻融阶段细菌和放线菌占主导,真菌含量相对较少。(4)冻融循环次数分布于冻融期和融冻期,对土壤酶活性和微生物数量具有一定的影响,致使融冻期土壤各因子大于冻融期。     

冻融条件下土壤中水盐运移规律模拟研究

冻融作用是土壤盐碱化独特的形成机制,冻融条件下土壤中盐分迁移是水分对流、浓度梯度、温度梯度、不同溶质、土壤结构及质地等因素作用下的综合结果,温度是导致土壤中水分与盐分迁移的驱动力。在土壤冻融过程中,水分和盐分的两次迁移过程构成了特殊的水盐运动规律。在冻融过程中,土壤剖面结构发生变异,形成冻结层、似冻结层和非冻结层。冻结带土水势降低导致水分不断向冻层迁移,冻结缘以下的盐分同步向上运移,整个冻层的土壤含盐量明显增加;在融化过程中,随着地表蒸发逐渐强烈,使冻结过程中累积于冻结层中的盐分,转而向地表强烈聚集,使表层的盐分含量急剧上升。当冻结层未融通之前,尚未融化的冻层起到隔水的作用,不但阻止顶部融水向下层渗透,而且隔断了与下层水的联系。模拟实验结果充分证明了中国北方冻融区域土壤盐碱化的发生过程,为有效防治土壤盐碱化提供了理论依据。     

季节性冻融对盐荒地水盐运移的影响及调控

季节性冻融是干旱区土壤盐碱化形成的主要驱动因子,但冻融过程中土壤水盐耦合关系及热量调控机理仍不清楚。通过分析2009年11月～2010年5月新疆玛纳斯河流域典型盐荒地季节性冻融过程中土壤剖面160 cm以内的水分、盐分和温度动态变化,探讨了不同土层冻融过程中水热盐的耦合关系。结果表明：土壤最大冻结深度为150 cm左右,表土层（0～40 cm）温度与气温关系密切;土壤剖面水分呈现“C”型垂直分布,表土层和底土层（100～160 cm）含水量较大,而心土层（40～100 cm）含水量不足10%,土层平均含水率在冻融前期增加了12.91%,而在初蒸期减少了10.01%;土壤剖面盐分在冻结期和初蒸期表聚作用明显,心土层和底土层含盐量稳定,土壤剖面含盐量表现为“积盐-脱盐-再积盐”的变化过程。水热盐之间具有高度协同性,心土层和底土层表现为水盐相随、而表土层为水去盐留的耦合特征,热量传输是调控水盐运移的关键因素。     

冻融作用与土壤理化效应的关系研究

冻融使土壤经历一系列物理、化学和生物变化过程,冻融作用对土壤的影响主要表现为:改变土壤结构、含水量分布和水热运动,影响微生物活性和以微生物为媒介的有机质矿化作用,改变土壤元素的生物地球化学循环过程,从而对土壤生态系统结构和功能产生影响。冻融作用对土壤理化性质的作用主要受冻融速率、温度、冻融交替次数和土壤含水量、pH值、有机质、土壤质地状况等因素的影响。通过冻融作用改善土壤结构,提高土壤微生物活性和养分的有效性,有利于耕作和促进植物生长,但也可通过含水量的重新分布和径流淋失而导致土壤养分损失。     

Wind tunnel simulation of the effects of freeze–thaw cycles on soil erosion in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Intense freezing and thawing actions occur in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau because of its high elevation and cold temperature. The plateau's unique environment makes it easy to generate wind erosion under dry, windy weather conditions, resulting in the emergence of desertification. As a major form of freeze–thaw erosion, freeze–thaw and wind erosion is displayed prominently on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Therefore, in this study, soil samples were collected from the surface of the plateau to undergo freeze–thaw and wind erosion simulation experiments. Results show that wind erosion strength increases with an increasing number of freeze–thaw cycles, water content in the freezing–thawing process, and the difference in freeze–thaw temperatures. Therefore, in the conditions of water participation, the main reason for the freeze–thaw and wind erosion in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau is the damage to the soil structure by repeated, fierce freeze–thaw actions, and the sand-bearing wind is the main driving force for this process. The research results have theoretical significance for exploring the formation mechanism of freeze–thaw and wind erosion in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, and provide a scientific basis for freeze–thaw desertification control in the plateau.     

Study of polluted soil remediation based on freezing and thawing cycles

It is generally known that soil pollution poses a terrible hazard to the environment, but the present techniques of contaminated soil remediation cannot control this growing threat. This paper compares the pollutant extraction efficiency of traditional pumping and treating, which is a typical washing technology for the remediation of contaminated soils, with methods that utilize freeze-thaw cycles. In the soil freezing process, water shifts from unfrozen soils to the freezing front, and the permeability of soil will be enhanced under certain temperature gradients and water conditions. Therefore, this paper discusses the purification of contaminated soil through freeze-thaw action. We conducted a cleansing experiment on clay and silica sand infused with NaCl（simulation of heavy metals） and found that the efficiency of purification was enhanced remarkably in the latter by the freeze-thaw action. To assess the effective extraction of DNAPLs in soil, we conducted an experiment on suction by freezing, predicated on the different freezing points of moisture and pollutants. We found that the permeability coefficient was significantly increased by the freezing-thawing action, enabling the DNAPL contaminants to be extracted selectively and effectively.     

Influence of repeated freeze-thaw on dynamic modulus and damping ratio properties of silty sand

Under repeated freezing and thawing in deep seasonal frozen regions, the stability and strength of the soil are imposed in the form of large uneven settlement, instability and strength reduction, which...     

Laboratory and field performance of recycled aggregate base in a seasonally cold region

The objective of this project was to characterize the freeze-thaw properties of recycled concrete (RCA) and asphalt (RAP) as unbound base and to assess how they behaved in the field for nearly 8 years. This paper includes an examination of existing information, laboratory studies of freeze-thaw behavior, and evaluation of data from MnROAD field-test sections in a seasonally cold region, i.e., in Minnesota, USA. Test sections were constructed using recycled materials in the granular base layers at the MnROAD test facility. One test section included 100% RAP, another 100% RCA, a third one a 50/50 blend of RCA/natural aggregate, and a fourth one only natural aggregate (Class 5) as a control. The stiffness (i.e., elastic modulus) was monitored during construction and throughout the pavement life by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, along with the variation of temperatures and moisture regimes in the pavement to determine their effects on pavement performance. The resilient modulus of each material was determined by bench-scale testing in accordance with NCHRP 1-28a, as well as by field-scale tests incorporating a falling-weight deflectometer. Specimens were subjected to as many as 20 cycles of freeze-thaw in the laboratory, and the change in their resilient modulus was measured. In the field-test sections constructed with the same materials as the base course, temperature, moisture, and field modulus (from falling-weight deflectometer tests) were monitored seasonally for nearly 8 years. From the temperatures in the base course layer, the number of freeze-thaw cycles experienced in the field was determined for each test section. Inferences were made relative to modulus change versus freeze-thaw cycles. Conclusions were drawn for long-term field performances of the recycled base (RAB) in comparison to natural aggregate.     

Finite element analysis on deformation of highembankment in heavy-haul railway subjected to freeze-thaw cycles

Finiteelement simulations are increasingly providing a versatile environment for this topic. In this study, a two-dimensional finite element analysis is conducted to predict the deformation of highembankment in Bazhun heavy-haul railway, China. A recently developed nonlinear softening-type constitutive model is utilized to model the behavior of subgrade filling materials subjected to freeze-thaw cycles. For the convenience of practical application, the dynamic loading induced by a vehicle is treated as a quasi-static axle load. The deformation of this embankmentwith different moisture content under freeze-thaw cycles is compared. The results show that when subjected to the first freeze-thaw cycle, the embankmentexperienced significant deformation variations. Maximum deformation was usually achieved after the embankment with optimum moisture content experienced six freeze-thaw cycles, however, the embankment with moisture content of 8.0% and 9.5% deforms continuously even after experiencing almost ten freeze-thaw cycles. Overall, this study provides a simple nonlinear finite element approach for calculating the deformation of the embankmentinchanging climate conditions.     

青藏高原土壤水热分布特征及冻融过程在季节转换中的作用

利用GAME-Tibet期间所取得的高分辩率土壤温度和含水量资料，对青藏高原（主要是藏北高原）土壤水热分布特征及冻融过程在季节转换中的作用进行了分析。指出藏北高原4cm学深处土壤在10月份开始冻结，次年4-5月份开始消融，冻结持续时间长达5-7个月。冻结过程有利于土壤维持其水分，因此，在刚刚开始消融时土壤含水量仍然很高。从而为夏季风爆发前土壤通过蒸发向大气提供水分打下了基础。指出土壤冻融过程可能在高原季节转换中起着重要作用。     

青海湖北土壤水分分布与土壤干层恢复

通过对青海湖北沙柳河镇土壤含水量的测定, 研究了该区土壤水分含量和土壤干层恢复等问题。结果表明:青海湖北沙柳河镇土壤含水量随着深度的增加而减少, 在年降水量略多于400 mm的条件下, 多数土壤干层中的水分得到了恢复, 干层消失, 少数土壤还有干层存在。在2009 年降水增多, 到2011 年土壤水分恢复深度达到了1.3 m, 2011 年土壤含水量显著高于2009 年。在年降水量为410 mm左右的条件下, 土壤干层恢复到1.3 m深度需要的时间为2 年左右。该区土壤水分运移缓慢, 干层恢复比黄土高原缓慢, 恢复的深度较小, 这主要是该区土壤冻结期较长等决定的。土壤干层中水分的恢复表明, 该区2009年以来草原土壤水分输出量略小于输入量。     

Review of the influence of freeze-thaw cycles on the physical and mechanical properties of soil

Seasonally frozen soil is a four-phase material and its physical-mechanical properties are more complex compared to the unfrozen soil. Its physical properties changes during the freeze-thaw process; repeated freeze-thaw cycles change the characteristics of soil, which can render the soil from an unstable state to a new dynamic equilibrium state. The freezing process changes the structure coupled between the soil particle arrangements, which will change the mechanical properties of the soil. The method of significance and interaction between different factors should be considered to measure the influence on the properties of soil under freeze-thaw cycles.     

Soil freezing process and different expressions for the soil-freezing characteristic curve

The soil-freezing characteristic curve (SFCC), which represents the relationship between unfrozen water content and sub-freezing temperature (or suction at ice-water interface) in a freezing soil, can be used for understanding the transportation of heat, water, and solute in frozen soils. In this paper, the soil freezing process and the similarity between the SFCC of saturated frozen soil and soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) of unfrozen unsaturated soil are reviewed. Based on similar characteristics between SWCC and SFCC, a conceptual SFCC is drawn for illustrating the main features of soil freezing and thawing processes. Various SFCC expressions from the literature are summarized. Four widely used expressions (i.e., power relationship, exponential relationship, van Genuchten 1980 equation and Fredlund and Xing 1994 equation) are evaluated using published experimental data on four different soils (i.e., sandy loam, silt, clay, and saline silt). Results show that the exponential relationship and van Genuchten (1980) equation are more suitable for sandy soils. The simple power relationship can be used to reasonably best-fit the SFCC for soils with different particle sizes; however, it exhibits limitations when fitting the saline silt data. The Fredlund and Xing (1994) equation is suitable for fitting the SFCCs for all soils studied in this paper.     

An investigation of periglacial slope stability in relation to soil properties based on physical modelling in the geotechnical centrifuge

Results are presented from eight scaled centrifuge modelling experiments designed to investigate mass movement processes on thawing ice-rich slopes. Four pairs of simple planar slope models were constructed, one in each pair being of sufficient gradient to promote slope failure during soil thaw and the second having a gradient below the threshold for instability. Four frost susceptible soils were used, three were normally consolidated and had different clay contents (2%, 12% and 20%) and the fourth comprised the 20% clay soil, but was over consolidated prior to model testing. Modelling protocols included freezing from the surface downwards under an open hydraulic system, and thawing from the surface downwards under an enhanced gravitational field within the geotechnical centrifuge, thereby utilising scaling laws to simulate correct prototype self weight stresses during thaw. Slopes below the stability threshold gradient were subjected to between 2 and 4 cycles of freezing and thawing, simulating annual cycles. Those above the stability threshold were subjected to only one cycle, since they failed during the first thaw phase. Thermal conditions, pore water pressures, surface movements, and profiles of displacement are reported. Measured pore pressures are used in slope stability analyses based on a simple planar infinite slope model. Profiles of solifluction shear strain and mechanisms of slope failure are both shown to be sensitive to small changes in soil properties, particularly clay content and stress history. In all cases, pore pressures rose rapidly immediately following thaw, remained below the threshold for failure in low gradient models, but exceeding the threshold to trigger landslides on steeper slopes. Upward seepage of melt water away from the thaw front contributed to loss of shear strength. Mechanisms of slope failure differed between test soils, ranging from mudflow in non-cohesive silt to active layer detachment sliding in over consolidated silt–clay. During solifluction, shear strain was greatest at the surface in non-cohesive silt and decreased rapidly with depth, but in test soils containing clay, the zone of maximum shear strain was located lower in the displacement profiles.     

低干密度盐渍细砂土低温特性试验研究

利用2015年9月采自青海北霍布逊湖区的原土样,自行配比进行了室内盐渍细砂土冻胀试验,研究了低干密度盐渍细砂土的低温特性变化规律,探讨了盐渍细砂土的冻胀机理,集中分析了土的冻缩特性。研究发现低干密度盐渍细砂土在不同含水率条件下土的冻胀规律差异很大。低含水率条件下会有冻缩现象,高含水率条件下只会有冻胀现象,临界含水率（含水率14%）条件下细砂土先出现冻缩,之后随着温度的降低又出现冻胀,且由于温度引起的体积变化均在-28℃～-30℃时达到稳定;土的冻缩随着含盐量增加先呈递增趋势,后又呈递减趋势,在中间含盐量10%达到最大;除临界含水率条件下,盐渍细砂土的冻胀、冻缩均与温度呈三次多项式关系,与含水率呈线性关系。研究结果能够为盐渍土地区的工程建设提供有价值的理论依据。     

Experimental investigation on static and dynamic resilient moduli of compacted fine soil

To investigate the static and dynamic resilient modulus of fine soil, and adapting to the new design code and maintenance system of highway subgrade in China, a series of static and dynamic tests were carried out according to the standard laboratory test methods (JTG E40-2007 and JTG D30-2015, respectively). The effects of initial water content, compactness and freeze-thaw cycles on the static and dynamic resilient moduli of fine soil were investigated and analyzed. Experimental test results show that with increasing water content, dry density and freeze-thaw cycles, the static moduli reduces about 10.2%~40.0%, 14.4%~45.5%, and 24.0%~50.3%, and dynamic moduli reduces about 10.9%~90.8%, 2.5%~38.4%, and 0.0%~46.0%, respectively. Then, the empirical mathematical relationship between static and dynamic resilient moduli was established under different water content, dry density and freeze-thaw cycles. The investigation results can be used to determine the dynamic modulus of fine soil by widely used static modulus, which could meet the requirement of adopting dynamic modulus index in new specification.     

Moisture transfer and phase change in unsaturated soils: an experimental study of two types of canopy effect

Canopy effect refers to the phenomenon in which moisture accumulates underneath an impervious cover. A canopy effect can lead to full saturation of the soil underneath the impervious cover. A recent theoretical study separates the canopy effect into two types. The first one is caused by evaporation-condensation in unsaturated soils, while the second one is induced by freezing-enhanced vapour transfer in unsaturated soils. To validate experimentally these two types of canopy effect and to reveal their mechanisms, moisture-migration experiments were carried out, using a newly developed laboratory apparatus for unsaturated frozen soils. Six conditions were applied to the calcareous sand, with different initial water contents and boundary temperatures. The results show that water content in the upper portion of the sample increased under an upward temperature gradient, and the increment of water content was greater if the soil was subjected to freezing. For the freezing cases, the depth of the peak water content was in line with the freezing front. And the greater the initial water content, the more the water content accumulated at the freezing front. However, a lower cooling rate seemed to facilitate vapour migration. For the unfrozen cases, the water content in the upper portion of the sample also increased; and the increases became more apparent with a higher initial moisture content. The temperature gradient can also inhibit the vapour migration. A less steep temperature gradient always resulted in a more notable inhibition effect. Test results seem to verify the theory of the canopy effect.     

Mechanisms discussion of frost heave and test verifications of moisture migration

Herein we review research on the structure of the frozen fringe and one of its key characteristics（unfrozen water content）,and compare its current measurement methods,including pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance（NMR）,time-domain reflectometry（TDR）,calorimetry,thermometry,the sublimation method,and CT imagery.A freeze-thaw cycle experiment with remolded soil was conducted inside to verify the mechanism of frost heave,measuring such variables as soil-water potential,temperature,water supplement,and the position of the freezing front.Conclusions from the analysis of the experiment data are：（1） The soil-water potential,the water supplement,and the position of the freezing front vary with temperature; and（2） the temperature gradient induces the soil-water potential,which in turn provides a stable driving force for moisture migration.     

环境气候条件下土壤冻融过程中湿热耦合作用模型研究

基于Harlan模型和Darcy定律,综合考虑环境气候因素和水热特征参数对湿热迁移影响,建立了环境气候条件下季节性冻土区土壤冻融过程中湿热耦合作用模型.根据地表能量交换平衡原理推导出边界条件.依据实测数据回归分析出土壤湿热特征参数表达式.采用全隐式有限差分格式和TDMA迭代法对内蒙古锡林浩特地区冻结期间土壤湿热迁移规律进行了数值模拟.温度计算值和实测值比较一致,最大误差不超过2.5℃,说明该模型具有较高的准确性.利用该模型仅通过气象资料和湿热特征参数就可预测季冻区土壤冻胀和田间湿热分布状况并能够用来指导农田工程建设和农业生产.