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Unraveling the Mystery of Water-Induced Loess Disintegration: A Comprehensive Review of Experimental Research

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  • Yinfu Chen

    (School of Water and Environment, Chang’an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi’an 710054, China
    Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effects in Arid Region of the Ministry of Education, Chang’an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi’an 710054, China
    Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydrology and Water Security in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions of the Ministry of Water Resources, Chang’an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi’an 710054, China)

  • Peiyue Li

    (School of Water and Environment, Chang’an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi’an 710054, China
    Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effects in Arid Region of the Ministry of Education, Chang’an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi’an 710054, China
    Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydrology and Water Security in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions of the Ministry of Water Resources, Chang’an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi’an 710054, China)

  • Yuanhang Wang

    (School of Water and Environment, Chang’an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi’an 710054, China
    Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effects in Arid Region of the Ministry of Education, Chang’an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi’an 710054, China
    Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydrology and Water Security in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions of the Ministry of Water Resources, Chang’an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi’an 710054, China)

  • Jiahui Li

    (School of Water and Environment, Chang’an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi’an 710054, China
    Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effects in Arid Region of the Ministry of Education, Chang’an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi’an 710054, China
    Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydrology and Water Security in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions of the Ministry of Water Resources, Chang’an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi’an 710054, China)

Abstract

Loess disintegration is a significant physicochemical and mechanical dissolution process that occurs when loess comes into contact with water. This phenomenon contributes to geological disasters such as loess cave erosion, landslides, and debris flows. The disintegration of loess can be influenced by both internal and external factors. Research on internal factors of loess disintegration has been widely recorded, but the research progress on external environmental factors that affect loess disintegration is not well summarized. This review summarizes the impacts of external water environmental factors on loess disintegration and reveals that six external water environmental factors, namely the temperature of the aqueous solution, hydrodynamic conditions, solution pH, salt concentration and type in the solution, freeze–thaw cycles, and dry–wet cycles, can significantly impact loess disintegration. Furthermore, this review delves into three key research areas in loess disintegration under the influence of these water environmental factors: experimental research on loess disintegration, the disintegration parameters used in such research and their variations, and the water–soil chemical reactions and microstructural changes during loess disintegration. It concludes that current experimental research on loess disintegration suffers from inadequate studies, with existing research associated with poor comparability and weak representativeness, and a lack of comprehensive, systematic analysis of its regularities of influence and response mechanisms from both microscopic and macroscopic perspectives. This paper can provide valuable insights for the prevention of loess geological disasters and engineering safety construction.

Suggested Citation

  • Yinfu Chen & Peiyue Li & Yuanhang Wang & Jiahui Li, 2024. "Unraveling the Mystery of Water-Induced Loess Disintegration: A Comprehensive Review of Experimental Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-20, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:6:p:2463-:d:1357915
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xin Wei & Li Dong & Xuanyi Chen & Yunru Zhou, 2023. "Influence of Soluble Salt NaCl on Cracking Characteristics and Mechanism of Loess," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-16, March.
    2. Jianhua Wu & Ningning Yang & Peiyue Li & Chunliu Yang, 2023. "Influence of Moisture Content and Dry Density on the Compressibility of Disturbed Loess: A Case Study in Yan’an City, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-16, April.
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