Heat-Induced alterations in water repellency of tropical and temperate Soils: A laboratory experiment using Ultisols and Andosols

H. T.M. Perera*, D. A.L. Leelamanie, Yasushi Mori, Morihiro Maeda

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaperJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Water repellency (WR) is commonly reported in soils covered with several plant species that are rich in waxes/resins, including Pinus caribaea (PIN) and Cryptomeria japonica (CED). Due to waxy and resinous litter, these forests are highly prone to wildfires. The heat produced during wildfires alters soil WR, and these alterations may vary between tropical and temperate soils and between soil separates (SS; soil particles ≤ 2 mm) and aggregates (AG; naturally available aggregates; d = 3–5 mm). This study aims to investigate the heat-induced changes in WR of SS and AG in tropical and temperate soils. The SS and AG obtained from four different depths (0–5, 5–10, 10–15, 15–20 cm) in a PIN forest in Sri Lanka (tropical) (PINSS, PINAG) and a CED forest in Japan (temperate) (CEDSS, CEDAG) were heated to 7 heating temperatures (TH) (50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350 °C) with 2 exposure durations (DE) (1 h, 2 h). The WR were measured using the molarity of an ethanol droplet test and water drop penetration time test. The WR in PINSS and PINAG increased with increasing TH up to 100–150 °C and decreased to be non-repellent with further heating, while that of CEDSS and CEDAG progressively decreased to be non-repellent with heating. Both soil types were non-repellent at higher TH levels (≥250 °C), and 0–5 and 5–10 cm layers became non-repellent at 150–250 °C, while 10–15 and 15–20 cm layers became non-repellent at 50–150 °C. Compared to TH, DE did not significantly alter WR. The WR in two soils showed different responses to heat, especially at lower TH levels. In AG and SS, the degree of WR altered with heating similarly, while persistence (how long soil remains water-repellent) altered differently in both soil types. Research on organic matter composition and soil mineralogy may provide future insights into heat-induced alterations in WR of tested soils.

Original languageEnglish
Article number108230
Book seriesCatena
Volume243
ISSN0341-8162
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2024
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Soil water repellency
  • Temperate soil
  • Tropical soil
  • Wildfires

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