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How does water and air move in soil? 


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Water and air movement in soil involves various processes. In soil, water movement can occur through saturated flow, where all pores are filled with water, and unsaturated flow, where pores contain both water and air . The movement of water and air in soil is crucial for ecological remediation systems, where water, soil, and air interfaces interact to purify damaged water bodies through processes like adsorption, catalytic oxidation, and biodegradation . Studies analyzing the diffusion of warm, humid air into cold, dry sandy columns show that water vapor enters the soil, condenses, moves upward as liquid water, and evaporates, creating a cycle between the bottom and moisture front of the column . Additionally, methods like air-water displacement and consolidation involve using air pressure to displace groundwater in soft soil layers, achieving consolidation and reinforcement of the foundation soil .

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Air is pressed into soft soil, displacing water through air-water replacement. Groundwater is squeezed out, achieving consolidation. Air bursts out, leading to compressive deformation, reinforcing the foundation soil.
Water is taken efficiently through an air-soil heat exchange water taking device using an air inlet duct, condenser pipes, and a water tank, enhancing heat exchange between air and soil.
Water vapor enters, condenses at the bottom, moves upward as liquid water, evaporates at the moisture front, and circulates between bottom and middle in a sandy column.
Book ChapterDOI
29 Sep 2022
Water in soil moves through saturated flow (all pores filled with water) and unsaturated flow (pores filled with water and air). Air movement occurs in unsaturated flow.
Water and air move in soil through a water, soil, and air ecological circulation system, utilizing principles like adsorption, catalytic oxidation, and biodegradation to remediate pollution in water bodies.

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