ARS | Publication request: Simulation of freezing and thawing soilsin Inner Mongolia Hetao irrigation district, China

Submitted to: Geoderma
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: January 6, 2012
Publication Date: February 3, 2012
Repository URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S001670611200033X
Citation: Li, R., Shi, H., Flerchinger, G.N., Akae, T., Wang, C. 2012. Simulation of freezing and thawing soils in Inner Mongolia Hetao irrigation district, China. Geoderma. 173-174:28-33.

Interpretive Summary: Irrigation during the autumn is a widespread practice to leach salinity from the soil and to store water in the soil profile for the following spring growing season. However, the efficiency of this practice for overwinter water storage can be a concern. Such is the case for the Hetao Irrigation District of Inner Mongolia and much of the area in northern China. The Simultaneous Heat and Water (SHAW) Model was applied to simulate the overwinter freezing/thawing, evaporation, drainage and soil water storage following autumn irrigation. Based on the accuracy of the model simulations, the SHAW model can be used for water resource evaluation and efficient allocation of water resources in areas that practice autumn irrigation.

Technical Abstract: Inner Mongolia Hetao Irrigation District, in north of China, is typical of seasonal frozen soil areas in the region. Irrigation in autumn is required to leach soil salt and to provide a reserve of soil water for the next year’s crop. However, improper autumn irrigation results in the secondary salinization of soil. The objective of this study is to simulate the soil water and heat dynamics during winter period with the one-dimensional Simultaneous Heat and Water (SHAW) model. SHAW model soil parameters were calibrated by data of 1995-1996 and 2002-2004 and validated by data of 1996-2001 and 2005-2006 using field measured soil water contents and temperatures during freezing and thawing periods. Using calibrated and validated soil parameters, the paper simulates the process of soil freezing-thawing, and the dynamic variation of moisture-heat transfer, including soil water content, temperature, frost depth, soil evaporation and water flux in the seasonal freezing-thawing period. It accurately embodies the theoretical analysis relative to the experimental research.