Multifractal Study on Spatial Variability of Soil Hydraulic Properties of Lou Soil

Abstract:

In order to discuss spatial distribution characteristics of soil hydraulic properties of Lou soil, samples were taken along lines in the area of wheat and maize crop rotation in Dazhai village, Yangling, Shaanxi. Soil water characteristic curves, saturated hydraulic conductivity, soil water content and soil bulk density were measured. Brooks—Corey models were used to describe soil water characteristic curves, and the spatial variation of Brooks—Corey model parameters (θs, α and n ), saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), soil water content (θ) and soil bulk density (ρ) were analyzed with multifractal method. Results indicated that Ks,α and n had stronger variability,θs, θandρshowed weak variability in the entire sampling directions; the soil hydraulic properties showed multifractal features at different sampling directions; the multifractal structures ofθs, θ and ρwere weak at different sampling directions which indicated weak spatial variability.Ks,α and n had obvious multifractal structures at different sampling directions. Their generalized dimensions ranged from 0.7 to 1.9, from 0.6 to 1.2 and from 0.9 to 1.1, respectively, spatial variability were strong, and the spatial distribution structure of Kswas more complex than αand n. 