Environmental Earth Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Groundwater quality assessment using integrated water quality indices and multivariate statistics in the Upper Bhavani River Basin, India","authors":"J. A. Gayathri,&nbsp;Vipin T. Raj,&nbsp;K. Sreelash,&nbsp;K. Maya,&nbsp;D. Padmalal","doi":"10.1007/s12665-025-12555-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12665-025-12555-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Groundwater plays a vital role in sustaining human health, agricultural productivity, and ecological balance, particularly in semi-arid regions, making its assessment crucial for the safe and sustainable use. This study assesses the groundwater quality of the Upper Bhavani River Basin, part of the Attappadi Critical Zone Observatory (CZO), using groundwater samples collected across three seasons: pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon seasons. The results show that most water samples are suitable for irrigation. Hydrochemical parameters, irrigation suitability indices (SAR, Na%, MH, RSC, KI, and PS), and spatial mapping were employed to assess the groundwater’s suitability for irrigation in the study area. The Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI), calculated for both open wells and borewells, shows that open well water is generally good for irrigation, while around 45% of borewell samples are of poorer quality for irrigation purposes. Spatial variation maps of IWQI indicate that comparatively poor water quality is observed in the central region of the study area. Multivariate statistical analyses indicate that geogenic processes are the dominant factors influencing groundwater chemistry, with additional impacts from anthropogenic activities such as agriculture and settlement expansion. The Drinking Water Quality Index suggests that most samples are suitable for human consumption. However, elevated solute concentrations, moderate to high hardness, and mild alkalinity may pose potential concerns for both drinking and irrigation. These findings underscore the need for targeted monitoring, regulated groundwater extraction, and integrated water management strategies to ensure long-term sustainability of groundwater resources in the basin. The findings provide valuable insights that can guide water treatment practices, shape policy decisions, and support future research, ultimately contributing to the development of safer and more sustainable groundwater management strategies for the region.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":542,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Earth Sciences","volume":"84 20","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145256553","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Soil quality in diversified agricultural systems: eastern plateau of India","authors":"Kadooran Abshiba,&nbsp;Manoj Chaudhary,&nbsp;Nishant Kumar Sinha,&nbsp;Teekam Singh,&nbsp;K. G. Rosin,&nbsp;Sushanta Kumar Naik,&nbsp;Preeti Singh,&nbsp;Prabhakar Prasad Barnwal,&nbsp;A. Deepasree,&nbsp;Sarvendra Kumar","doi":"10.1007/s12665-025-12572-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12665-025-12572-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Soil quality is a critical global issue closely tied to agricultural sustainability, and monitoring changes in soil quality over time is essential for assessing regional agricultural sustainability. In this study, we assessed the impact of various cropping systems, such as rice-wheat, rice-chickpea, rice-fallow, urd-mustard, maize-potato, and agroforestry, on soil quality in the Hazaribagh area of the eastern plateau and hill region of India. Thirty soil samples from each cropping system were analysed for 24 soil properties, and a soil quality index (SQI) was developed based on a minimum dataset. Among all the cropping systems, the rice-chickpea system exhibited significantly higher values for mean weight diameter (1.29 mm), DTPA-Fe (95.6 ppm), dehydrogenase activity (2.55 μg TPF g⁻¹ h ⁻¹), and microbial metabolic quotient (0.22). Based on the soil management assessment framework, the most sensitive indicators of soil quality are available soil nutrients, enzyme activities, and microbial biomass carbon in the soil. The rice-chickpea system had the highest SQI (0.85), followed by agroforestry (0.81) = rice-fallow (0.81) &gt; urd-mustard (0.80) &gt; rice-wheat (0.76) &gt; maize-potato system (0.61) in the surface soil. Redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated that the two principal components explained 36% and 35% of the variation in the surface and subsurface soil properties, respectively. These findings offer valuable insights, demonstrating that pulse-based cropping systems are particularly effective in supplying nutrients and sustaining soil microbial activities. This could be a promising option for preventing soil quality degradation and ensuring long-term sustainability in the eastern plateau hill region of India.</p><p>Graphical abstract of research work.</p>","PeriodicalId":542,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Earth Sciences","volume":"84 20","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145256559","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Water scarcity impact on water quality and implications for residents in Islamabad, Pakistan","authors":"Shehla Batool Fatima,&nbsp;Hidayat Ullah Khan,&nbsp;Ayesha Bibi,&nbsp;Muhammad Hamza,&nbsp;Rabaab Zahra,&nbsp;Shafiq ur Rehman,&nbsp;Abida Farooqi","doi":"10.1007/s12665-025-12467-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12665-025-12467-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study investigates the dual challenges of water scarcity and declining water quality in Islamabad, Pakistan, through an integrated assessment combining household-level survey data with physicochemical and microbiological analyses of drinking water sources. The survey revealed that a significant proportion of households relying on municipal water supply experience frequent shortages, while those using alternative sources such as private boreholes are comparatively less affected. Notably, households facing water shortages reported a higher prevalence of waterborne diseases, including dermatological and gastrointestinal ailments. Laboratory analysis of water samples from various zones of Islamabad indicated elevated concentrations of ions such as calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), nitrate (NO₃⁻), and chloride (Cl⁻), suggesting substantial deterioration in water quality. The application of a Drinking Water Quality Index (WQI), based on WHO and national standards, classified most samples as poor to unsafe for human consumption. Furthermore, microbial testing confirmed the presence of Total Coliform bacteria in all samples, with Escherichia coli detected in several cases, indicating fecal contamination and posing serious public health risks. The findings highlight the region's multidimensional nature of water scarcity, demonstrating that it encompasses both quantitative insufficiencies and qualitative degradation. This underscores the need for a comprehensive water management strategy that integrates infrastructure improvement, groundwater regulation, and routine water quality monitoring to ensure safe and equitable access to water. The study provides a scientific basis for policy interventions to mitigate the health and environmental impacts of water insecurity in urban Pakistan.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":542,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Earth Sciences","volume":"84 20","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145256279","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing phosphorus risk in affected mangrove sediments using elemental ratios and extractable phosphorus","authors":"Tran Thi Thu Dung,&nbsp;Le Hong Quan,&nbsp;Minh Hoang Truong,&nbsp;Tran Thi,&nbsp;Thu Dung","doi":"10.1007/s12665-025-12562-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12665-025-12562-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study investigates major elements (Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, N, C) and extractable phosphorus (P) in surface sediments from both human-affected and conserved areas within a mangrove forest in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The research aims to understand the roles of elemental ratios (C: N, Fe: P, C:P) and different phosphorus pools (Labile P, apatite P, non-apatite inorganic P) in controlling phosphorus release and assessing environmental risks. A total of twenty - eight sediment samples were analyzed for major elements including Fe, Al, Ca, Mg, and P after aqua regia digestion. Different phosphorus pools were determined based on chemical extraction methods. Organic carbon and total Kjeldahl nitrogen were also analyzed to assess the overall nutrient composition and potential for contamination.The sediments were acidic (average pH = 6.27), with average metal contents of Fe₂O₃ (5.69%), Al₂O₃ (5.73%), MgO (1.86%), and CaO (0.29%). The average phosphorus pool rankings were apatite P (204 mg/kg), non-apatite inorganic P (66 mg/kg), and Labile P (2 mg/kg). The results from the elemental ratios suggest that P is more tightly bound to Fe-P complexes and minerals in the sediments of affected areas, whereas it is more associated with organic P forms in the sediments of conserved areas. Consequently, mineralization in the conserved area may occur more slowly, resulting in a slow release of P from sediments in that region. Nutrient indices showed moderate pollution for P and severe for N across seasons and areas. Risk assessment (RI), calculated from bioavailable P, indicated a significant increase in RI (from 0.12 to 1.33) in affected areas under worst-case scenarios, suggesting that these areas are more susceptible to environmental changes regarding P compared to conserve area, which leads to a greater impact on the RI. These findings imply that the conserved area may be more effective in regulating changes in P concentrations in response to external factors and suggest that it plays a crucial role in mitigating P fluctuations, thereby enhancing ecosystem stability and reducing the risk of nutrient-driven environmental degradation.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":542,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Earth Sciences","volume":"84 20","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145256359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Surface deformation prediction model based on mirror image method during tunnel freezing construction period","authors":"Mengkai Li,&nbsp;Haibing Cai,&nbsp;Changqiang Pang","doi":"10.1007/s12665-025-12546-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12665-025-12546-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>With the ongoing expansion of underground road construction in numerous Chinese cities, the Artificial Ground Freezing (AGF) method used in subway tunnel construction frequently causes unavoidable deformation of surrounding structures and strata. In severe cases, such deformation may lead to accidents. Consequently, the accurate prediction of ground deformation during freezing construction is of considerable importance. This study integrates the development process of frozen walls with the three-dimensional mirror image method to establish a time-dependent prediction model for ground surface deformation during tunnel freezing construction. A dedicated calculation program was developed using mathematical software Maple. The accuracy of the proposed approach was assessed through an engineering case study, and its validity was verified by comparing with numerical simulation results and field monitoring data. The spatial distribution and temporal evolution of surface displacements during active freezing were obtained. The findings indicate that the distribution patterns of surface displacements predicted by different methods are broadly consistent with the measured values. The measured values lie between those obtained from the proposed method and the numerical simulation method, thereby confirming the validity of the proposed theoretical prediction model. For all prediction methods, the maximum vertical displacement occurs at the ground surface directly above the tunnel centre. However, the peak magnitudes of vertical displacement at this location differ markedly, and the ultimate surface deformation is influenced by frost heave.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":542,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Earth Sciences","volume":"84 20","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145256358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hydraulic performance of polymer-amended bentonite for containment of zinc-contaminated groundwater","authors":"Chi Che,&nbsp;Yu-Zhang Bi,&nbsp;Xin-Po Sun,&nbsp;Zhen Feng,&nbsp;Tian-Xing Ma,&nbsp;Zhe-Yuan Jiang,&nbsp;Xian-Lei Fu","doi":"10.1007/s12665-025-12581-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12665-025-12581-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Zinc (Zn) is a prevalent contaminant, with the highest concentration and exceedance rate among heavy metals in groundwater surrounding tailing ponds in China. Bentonite is the primary material used for soil-bentonite vertical cutoff walls, which are essential for preventing the migration of contaminated groundwater. This study investigates the swell and hydraulic performances of guar gum (GG), polyacrylamide (PAM), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) amended bentonite in Zn-contaminated groundwater, aiming to identify the optimal polymer amendment. Modified fluid loss (MFL) tests were conducted to compare the hydraulic conductivity (<i>k</i>) of unamended and amended bentonite slurries in deionized water (DW) and Zn(NO₃)₂ solutions at various concentrations. The free swell index (FSI) of the bentonites was measured through free swell tests. Additionally, the effect of polymer dosage on FSI and <i>k</i> was examined, and the results were compared with those of unamended and polymer-amended bentonites reported in previous studies. The results revealed that the FSI of the amended bentonites was higher, while their <i>k</i> was lower compared to unamended bentonite across all concentrations of Zn(NO₃)₂ solutions. Notably, CMC-amended bentonite (CB) exhibited the lowest <i>k</i>, which was 1 to 2 orders of magnitude lower than that of unamended bentonite. The swell and hydraulic performances of CB improved with increasing dosage under various concentrations of Zn(NO₃)₂ solutions. Furthermore, a clear linear negative correlation was observed between <i>k</i> and FSI for CB at lower dosages. These findings are of great practical significance for constructing cutoff walls in contaminant containment project for Zn-contaminated sites.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":542,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Earth Sciences","volume":"84 20","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145256278","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Water–rock interactions in Karst: enrichment mechanisms of H2SiO3 in thermal mineral waters in the Shiqian fracture zone, China","authors":"Pengchi Yang,&nbsp;Zhengshan Chen,&nbsp;Mingzhong Zhou,&nbsp;Jianlong Zhou,&nbsp;Yu Ao,&nbsp;Zhongwu Geng,&nbsp;Chao Li,&nbsp;Binglan Yang","doi":"10.1007/s12665-025-12542-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12665-025-12542-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The enrichment of metasilicic acid (H₂SiO₃) in the Shiqian area is primarily governed by the Shiqian Fracture and associated dorsal tectonic structures. Although notable differences in H₂SiO₃ concentrations are observed between the hanging wall and the footwall, the mechanisms driving this spatial heterogeneity remain insufficiently understood. To address this knowledge gap, we integrated regional geological surveys with systematic sampling of thermal waters and reservoir rocks across contrasting structural domains. A combination of hydrogeochemical analysis, rock geochemistry, stable isotope tracing, multivariate statistical techniques, and water–rock interaction experiments was employed. Our results indicate that atmospheric precipitation serves as the principal recharge source, and that carbonate weathering dominates the hydrochemical composition. The thermal waters exhibit neutral to slightly alkaline pH values (7.12–8.38) and temperatures ranging from 27.0 ~ 46.4 ℃, with a mean hanging wall temperature 5.05 ℃ higher than that of the footwall. Total dissolved solids (TDS) range from 353 to 688 mg/L, while H₂SiO₃ concentrations span from 7.64 to 64.38 mg/L, with an average of 16.51 mg/L higher in the hanging wall. These waters are characterized as HCO₃–Ca·Mg type, with H₂SiO₃ derived mainly from the dissolution of siliceous minerals and, to a lesser extent, from the hydrolysis of aluminosilicates. Water–rock interaction experiments confirm that elevated temperature, CO₂ involvement, and mildly acidic conditions significantly enhance H₂SiO₃ mobilization. The spatial variability in metasilicic acid content is primarily controlled by tectonic structure, overburden thickness, and fluid residence time. This study clarifies the geochemical processes underlying metasilicic acid enrichment and provides a scientific foundation for the rational development and sustainable utilization of thermal mineral water resources in the Shiqian region.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":542,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Earth Sciences","volume":"84 20","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145256362","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Scree soil surface flow erosion: characteristics and gravel mulch technology","authors":"Fengling Ji,&nbsp;Wei Li,&nbsp;Qingfeng Lv,&nbsp;Xiangsheng Chen,&nbsp;Zhongping Chen,&nbsp;Xi Yu","doi":"10.1007/s12665-025-12548-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12665-025-12548-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The prevention and control of scree soil surface flow erosion in northwest China’s arid and semi-arid regions is crucial for ensuring the safety of oil and gas pipelines. This study investigates erosion characteristics through field experiments conducted on typical scree soils from Gaotai, Gansu Province, analyzing runoff dynamics and gravel particle movement across different slope gradients. We derive an energy consumption formula for channelized runoff and establish an “initiation particle size” model based on underwater particle mechanics, with theoretical calculations showing strong agreement (7.2–11.4% error) with field measurements. The research introduces an innovative gravel mulch technique that utilizes particles larger than the initiation size collected from downstream erosion channels. The mulch thickness is determined by upstream channel erosion depth, creating an economical and environmentally sustainable erosion control solution. Our findings demonstrate that: (1) rill erosion energy correlates with flow rate and velocity squared; (2) bend sections exhibit 15–20% higher erosion rates than straight channels; and (3) the critical particle size threshold for effective protection is 4.45 mm at 0.284 m/s flow velocity. This approach provides a scientifically-grounded methodology for pipeline protection in scree soil environments while optimizing resource utilization.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":542,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Earth Sciences","volume":"84 20","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145256552","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spatial variation of water quality across sequential stations in a perennial river, Northwest Iran","authors":"Raoof Mostafazadeh,&nbsp;Tayebeh Irani,&nbsp;Saeid Mousavi Moghanjoghi","doi":"10.1007/s12665-025-12576-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12665-025-12576-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Water quality assessment is essential for understanding the impact of pollution on aquatic ecosystems, particularly in rivers that cross diverse land uses and population centers. This study compares water quality parameters of a large perennial River at three consequent monitoring stations in Northwest Iran, to assess changes in physical, chemical, and biological parameters using statistical and graphical methods. After testing the assumptions for statistical comparisons, the Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the distributions of water quality parameters at the monitoring stations. Graphical techniques such as Raincloud plots and Density plots were used for visual representation of the data. The results indicate overall increases in TSS, turbidity, and COD as the river flows downstream. For instance, the mean concentration of TSS increased from 18.09 mg/L at Arena-Village (upstream) to 26.80 mg/L at Pol-Mohammadyar (downstream). Similarly, turbidity levels rose from 4.50 NTU at Arena-Village to 17.75 NTU at Pol-Naghadeh (middle station). The results indicate that most water quality parameters did not differ significantly between the three monitoring stations. However, turbidity (Turb) showed a statistically significant difference between the upstream (Arena-Village) and downstream (Pol-Mohammadyar) stations (<i>p</i> = 0.0477), suggesting localized impacts of human activities, particularly sand mining. In general, TSS, turbidity, and COD tended to increase downstream, while many chemical parameters remained relatively stable. This suggests that anthropogenic activities, particularly sand mining, contribute to the degradation of water quality as the river progresses. Excessive sand and gravel extraction from the riverbed, confirmed during field visits, may be a primary cause of increased turbidity and TSS at downstream stations. This activity disrupts the riverbed and releases suspended particles into the water column, negatively affecting the physical quality of the water. The study emphasizes the need for monitoring and regulating sand mining activities to prevent further deterioration of water quality. The observed increase in pollutants downstream emphasizes the cumulative effect of multiple pollution sources, which can adversely affect long-term aquatic ecosystems and human health.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":542,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Earth Sciences","volume":"84 20","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145256554","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of cracks on soil-water characteristic curves of lateritic soils","authors":"Wang Wendong,&nbsp;Liu Xiaowen,&nbsp;Muhammad Ali","doi":"10.1007/s12665-025-12531-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12665-025-12531-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Lateritic soils, commonly used as roadbed fill and landfill bedding, are prone to drying-induced cracking during the filling process, which significantly reduces their water-holding capacity by creating preferential flow paths. Previous research has primarily focused on the effects of wet-dry cycling on crack formation and its influence on the soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC), with limited attention on cracks generated by drying after compaction. This study addresses this gap by investigating the impact of drying-induced cracks on the SWCC of lateritic soils from southern Jiangxi Province. Drying crack tests were conducted at varying dry densities and initial water contents, and SWCCs of cracked and uncracked samples were obtained using the Drying Moisture and Osmotic Method (DMOM). Crack characteristics were quantitatively evaluated via the Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation Method (FCEM). A modified van Genuchten (v-G) model incorporating crack parameters was developed and validated using multi-factor regression analysis The results show that: (1) increasing dry density inhibits crack formation, with crack development decreasing by up to 70% as dry density rises from 1.4 to 1.7 g/cm³; (2) at a constant dry density, initial water content above 25% induces near-complete cracking; (3) cracks reduce the air entry value by up to 91.3% in low-density soils compared to a 73.4% reduction in high-density soils, indicating a stronger impact of cracking at lower compaction levels; and (4) crack length and average crack width are the dominant factors affecting water retention, while surface crack rate and fractal dimension exhibit weaker correlations. This research advances the understanding of the impact of drying-induced cracks on soil water retention, offering novel insights for applications in road construction, geology, and hydraulics.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":542,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Earth Sciences","volume":"84 20","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145256280","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}