Soil and Water Research - Latest articles

List of Reviewers 2025

Editorial Department

Soil & Water Res., 2026, 21(1):I  

Ca–Mg–Al LDH-modified wheat straw biochar for efficient lead chemisorption from aqueous solution: Insights from isotherm and kinetic analyses

Muhammad Tahir Amin, Abdulrahman Ali Alazba, Muhammad Shafiq, Aftab Ahmad Khan, Muhammad Muhitur Rahman

Soil & Water Res., 2026, 21(1):52-65 | DOI: 10.17221/106/2025-SWR  

This study reports layered double hydroxides (LDHs) modified wheat straw biochar (W-B), denoted as (LDH/W-B), as an efficient adsorbent material for removal of lead (Pb²⁺) ions from aqueous solution. This study also juxtaposes the adsorptive performance of LDH/W-B with W-B for Pb²⁺ removal. W-B was prepared via pyrolysis of wheat straw in a muffle furnace, using a controlled heating rate of 5 °C per min to reach 600 °C over a duration of three hours. Subsequently, LDH/W-B was synthesised using the co-precipitation method. Both resulting adsorbents were characterised for surface morphology and functional groups by means of scanning...

Effect of logging residues management on the distribution of potentially toxic elements in soils of large-scale clearcuts resulting from bark beetle forest damage

Lenka Pavlů, Marek Kučírek, Václav Tejnecký, Ondřej Drábek, Petra Vokurková, Luboš Borůvka, Martin Valtera, Věra Fadrhonsová, Radek Novotný

Soil & Water Res., 2026, 21(1):43-51 | DOI: 10.17221/119/2025-SWR  

This research focuses on the effects of large-scale clearcuts resulting from salvage logging after spruce (Picea abies) forest dieback caused by an extreme bark beetle infestation, and on the effect of logging residues management (chopping vs. clearing) on the distribution of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in soil. Pseudo-total contents of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined in soil samples collected separately from the organic (F+H) and mineral (0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm depths) soil layers. The distribution of elements was influenced mainly by sampling locality and position in the soil profile. In general, the contents...

The response of medium and trace elements in degraded alpine meadow soils to vegetation characteristics and soil physicochemical properties

Haowei Xu, Yuhong Tong, Li Zhou, Huizhen Li

Soil & Water Res., 2026, 21(1):34-42 | DOI: 10.17221/91/2025-SWR  

Alpine meadows, one of the most widespread and important vegetation types on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, are facing severe degradation. This study examines how degradation affects soil medium and trace elements in the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, along with their relationships with plant traits and soil properties. Results indicate that alpine meadow degradation significantly reduces vegetation coverage, height, biomass, soil water content (SWC), and the levels of soil organic carbon (SOC), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P), while increasing soil bulk density (BD), pH, and potassium (K) content. Soil Ca, Zn, and Mo decrease with degradation, whereas...

Multi-objective optimisation and synergistic mechanisms of expansive soil improvement using organic fertiliser, slow-release fertiliser, and rice straw

Yonggang Huang, Hongri Zhang, Xinzhong Wang, Yuexing Wu, Xianliang Tan, Kang Xiong

Soil & Water Res., 2026, 21(1):20-33 | DOI: 10.17221/47/2025-SWR  

This study systematically investigated the synergistic improvement of expansive soil using organic fertiliser (OF), slow-release fertiliser (SRF), and rice straw (RS) through Box-Behnken design (BBD) and response surface methodology (RSM). Key findings include: the quadratic models demonstrated high statistical significance (root density: R² = 0.765, F = 25.84; shear strength: R² = 0.885, F = 18.65; swelling rate: R² = 0.20, F = 15.23; all P < 0.001) with low prediction errors (root content: ± 0.08 mg/cm³; shear strength: ± 0.58 kPa; swelling rate: ± 0.38%);...

Rainfall pattern impact on runoff and sediment of the sloping cropland in Northeast China

Xu Fan, Wei Hu, Zhongzheng Ren, Yuan Chen, Qingsong Shen, Xingyi Zhang

Soil & Water Res., 2026, 21(1):9-19 | DOI: 10.17221/39/2025-SWR  

Rainfall is a major contributor to water erosion of sloping cropland in Northeast China. Identifying how rainfall and slope gradient (S) influence runoff depth (RD) and sediment yield (SY) is crucial for preventing water erosion. Field measurements from runoff plots were collected from 2023 to 2024, and K-means clustering was applied to clarify the rainfall patterns. Response of RD and SY to the rainfall pattern and S were analysed. Key factors impacting RD and SY were explored. The results showed that three rainfall patterns were identified for 34 erosive rainfall events: A (41.2%, medium...

Silver geochemistry and isotope systematics in Ag-rich mine tailings from Namibia

Aleš Vaněk, Maria Vaňková, Vojtěch Ettler, Martin Mihaljevič, Bohdan Kříbek, Petra Vokurková, Tereza Zádorová, Vít Penížek, Ondra Sracek, Benjamin Mapani

Soil & Water Res., 2026, 21(1):1-8 | DOI: 10.17221/143/2025-SWR  

In this study, we present a detailed geochemical characterisation and stable isotope systematics of silver (Ag) in a mining waste facility at the Namib Lead & Zinc mine in Namibia (Africa). We examined a series of flotation tailings and ore minerals to address two principal questions: (1) the distribution, chemical form and leachability of Ag, and (2) the local Ag isotopic signature(s) and its variability in relation to Ag speciation in the solid phase, as well as the fate of stable Ag isotopes. Our findings reveal a significant correlation between Ag and Pb concentrations, indicating that galena is the primary Ag carrier. Most importantly, all...

Economic evaluation of conservation grassland as a measure to control soil erosion in the Czech Republic

Ivo Horák, Marek Litzman, Petr Marada, Lubor Lacina, Miroslav Dumbrovský, Jan Vavřina, Michal Pochop

Soil & Water Res., 2025, 20(4):274-284 | DOI: 10.17221/33/2025-SWR  

Conservation grassland significantly reduces soil erosion risk in agricultural landscapes, as shown by a nationwide analysis of over 1.9 million Farmer’s blocks (DPBs) records from the Czech Republic (2016–2022). A logit regression model revealed that grassland establishment lowers the likelihood of erosion events by about 64%, with erosion risk strongly influenced by altitude, land use, and management practices. Spatial mapping and soil suitability classification identified nearly 240 00 hectares – mainly along 33 000 concentrated runoff pathways – as suitable for targeted grassland conversion. Despite its soil-protective function,...

The role of ground heat flux in estimating evapotranspiration by the Penman-Monteith method on mountain meadow

Michal Dohnal, Jana Votrubová, Rebeka Mazúchová, Miroslav Tesař

Soil & Water Res., 2025, 20(4):265-273 | DOI: 10.17221/24/2025-SWR  

Ground heat flux (G) is often an overlooked component of the surface energy balance, and its accurate determination remains challenging. In the present study, the accuracy of various G estimation methods is examined using long-term measurements from the Central European mountain meadow. The impact of different G approximation on calculated evapotranspiration by the Penman-Monteith method (ET) is analysed. Soil heat flux measurements and surface temperature data were used to determine G, while net radiation was used to approximate G. Neglecting G led to an overestimation of ET in the daily timestep....

Determination of soil loss on agricultural land based on field measurements in the Czech Republic

Jiří Kapička, Věra Kolbabová, Miroslav Bauer, Tomáš Dostál, Petr Kavka, Josef Krása, Alla Achasova

Soil & Water Res., 2025, 20(4):253-264 | DOI: 10.17221/22/2025-SWR  

The current erosion protection set up in the Czech Republic (CZ) is based on the long-term soil loss due to water erosion using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE). The range of recommended values of tolerable soil loss by water varies among different authors and approaches, depending on the specific area and its parameters. It is, therefore, important to ask the following questions. What is the real range of soil loss by water erosion in CZ. To determine the range of soil loss, a model extrapolation was carried out. The model extrapolation was based on the results from two main experimental measurements. Both from the evaluated volume soil loss...

Possibilities of agricultural soils evaluation in the Czech Republic

Věra Ürge, Pavel Formánek, Jan Vopravil

Soil & Water Res., 2025, 20(4):243-252 | DOI: 10.17221/66/2025-SWR  

In this study, the evaluation of soil quality was realised using the Analytic Hierarchy Process, and the obtained values were integrated with Evaluated Soil Ecological Units (BPEJs). Different maps of the Czech Republic were elaborated with BPEJs classified into five soil protection classes based on the obtained model values (with or without the values for production potential), the ratio of 80% (production potential values) to 20% (model values) or 60% (production potential values) to 40% (model values) and 40% (production potential values) to 60% (model values). The evaluation of BPEJs based on the mentioned criteria showed differences in their classification...

Rainfall induced changes in soil moisture: A comparative study of conventional and strip tillage

Vojtěch Štros, David Kincl, David Kabelka, Jan Vopravil

Soil & Water Res., 2025, 20(4):234-242 | DOI: 10.17221/56/2025-SWR  

Strip tillage is a very popular form of conservation tillage that is used in places with a higher risk of soil erosion. It is commonly accepted that strip tillage reduces the effects of water erosion; however, the exact way this effect is produced is very hard to quantify. This study focuses on the way strip tillage influences soil moisture and the way it changes with different intensities of rainfall, in comparison with conventional tillage. This study was conducted near Petrovice, Středočeský kraj, Czechia, over the course of four years (2021–2024). The conditions of all four test sites were comparable, both in terms of slope and soil type...

Alternative solution for determining the irrigation water quantity: ET_Gauge

Ismail Tas, Fatih Cem Kuzucu

Soil & Water Res., 2025, 20(4):219-233 | DOI: 10.17221/25/2025-SWR  

Measuring the reference evapotranspiration (ET₀) is difficult and costly. Some regions can have variable microclimates and these can often be quite far from climate stations. Therefore, it is optimal to use local measurements rather than a regionally calculated ET₀. In this respect, one piece of equipment that provides cheap and reliable measurement results is ET_Gauge equipment. In this study, ET₀ values measured with ET_Gauge equipment were compared with daily and monthly ET₀ values calculated by five different commonly used empirical methods (Thornthwaite_Adj, Blaney-Criddle,...

INDEX OF VOLUME 20

Editorial Department

Soil & Water Res., 2025, 20(4):I-II  

Effects of variable rate fertiliser application on selected macronutrients leaching from the ploughed layer

Jan Vopravil, Pavel Formánek, Ondřej Holubík, Pavel Svoboda, Tomáš Khel

Soil & Water Res., 2025, 20(3):206-217 | DOI: 10.17221/28/2025-SWR  

In this study, the effects of standard fertilisation versus variable fertilisation with mineral and organomineral fertilisers on N, P, K, Ca and Mg leaching from the ploughed layer and yields of winter wheat and spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were studied. The losses of calcium were the highest, and phosphorus from phosphates was the lowest of all studied nutrients when simulated rainfall and lysimeters were used after the crops were harvested. The use of variable rate fertilisation reduced nitrates leaching in all the studied plots. Nevertheless, leaching of calcium, which is present in higher...

Comparison of the cadmium and lead removal from three soils by electrokinetic remediation

Mei Zhang, Chengdong Duan, Xinfu Wang

Soil & Water Res., 2025, 20(3):195-205 | DOI: 10.17221/140/2024-SWR  

This study investigated, for the first time, the efficacy of citric acid (CA) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as electrolytes in electrokinetic remediation (EKR) for removing lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) from three distinct soils (Anthrosols soil, AT; Acrisols soil, AC; and Chernozems soil, CH). Under a voltage gradient of 2 V/cm and a remediation duration of 4 days, EDTA proved most effective for Anthrosols, achieving removal rates of 17.8% for Cd and 12.8% for Pb-lower than those observed for Acrisols and Chernozems, likely due to AT’s high pH background. These results suggest that combining EKR with other remediation techniques could...

Multivariate assessment of soil quality across different land use types in the hilly terrain of the subtropics of India

Jitendra Kumar, Homehswar Kalita, Rajesh A. Alone, Nishant K. Sinha, Alka Rani, Dhiraj Kumar, N. K. Lenka, Rajan Bhatt, Mohamed A. Yassin, Mohamed A. Mattar, Fülöp Attila, Ali Salem, Zoltan Orban

Soil & Water Res., 2025, 20(3):178-194 | DOI: 10.17221/6/2025-SWR  

The unsustainable conversion of forest areas into agricultural land poses a serious danger to the soil eminence of Arunachal Pradesh’s environmentally delicate hilly topography. Understanding the impacts of this land-use change is crucial for preventing further degradation. This study aimed to develop soil quality indices (SQIs) for different land use types: natural forest (NF), current jhum cultivation (JC), fallow jhum land (FJC), and pineapple cultivation (PA). Samples of soil were taken at a depth of 0 to 15 cm and examined for 22 potential soil quality indicators, with 19 showing significant (P < 0.05) influence from land use,...

Annual dynamics of plant litter calcium and magnesium stocks in a subtropical forest headwater stream

Weikang Chen, Ling Xiong, Qiqian Wu, Petr Heděnec, Yan Peng, Zemin Zhao, Chaoxiang Yuan, Ji Yuan, Xiangyin Ni, Fuzhong Wu, Kai Yue

Soil & Water Res., 2025, 20(3):164-177 | DOI: 10.17221/7/2025-SWR  

Forest headwater streams serve as critical interfaces between terrestrial forests and downstream aquatic ecosystems, playing essential roles in the storage and movement of carbon (C) and nutrients. However, despite their importance, our understanding of the dynamics of plant litter calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) stocks within these streams remains limited. In this study, we conducted a quantitative analysis of the spatiotemporal dynamics of plant litter Ca and Mg concentrations and stocks in a subtropical forest headwater stream from March 2021 to February 2022. We found that: (1) the average concentrations of litter Ca and Mg were 9.9 and 0.7 mg/g,...

Organic fertilizer and microbial agents increase soil quality and maize yield on coastal saline-alkali land

Zengjiao Wang, Yin Zhang, Deheng Zhang, Shenghao Zhang, Hongxiang Zhao, Zhen Liu^*, Geng Li, Tangyuan Ning

Soil & Water Res., 2025, 20(3):153-163 | DOI: 10.17221/123/2024-SWR  

To evaluate the effects of organic fertilizer and microbial agents on soil water and salt distribution, microorganisms, and crop yield on coastal saline-alkaline land, eight treatments were established, i.e., two maize varieties (Dajing Jiu 26 (J) and Quchen Jiu (Q)) and four organic fertilizer and microbial agent application methods (no organic fertilizer or microbial agent application (O₀M₀), single organic fertilizer application (O₁M₀), single microbial agent application (O₀M₁), and combined organic fertilizer and microbial agent application (O₁M₁)). The soil...

Soil-water characteristic curves and related properties of disturbed forest soils

Adela Joanna Hamerníková, Pavel Dlapa, Silvia Ihnačáková, Artemi Cerda, Róbert Kanka, Ľuboš Halada

Soil & Water Res., 2025, 20(3):143-152 | DOI: 10.17221/135/2024-SWR  

Forest logging activities negatively affect various soil properties. In this study, we focus on the logging effects on soil water retention and associated pore size distribution. We measured the soil-water characteristic curves (SWCCs) on 21 undisturbed samples from three research plots: a reference area, a clear-cut area and a forest track. A total of 12 SWCC points between saturation and wilting point were determined for each sample with a sand box and pressure plate apparatus. The trimodal behaviour is highlighted by the dependence between soil moisture and suction. Therefore, we proposed a revised model by combining two exponential expressions...

The impact of periodic waterlogging on biochemical characteristics and mineralization of soil organic carbon in straw-return farmland

Yunxi Peng, Wenyu Shi, Ningning Zhao^*

Soil & Water Res., 2025, 20(2):131-141 | DOI: 10.17221/149/2024-SWR  

Periodic waterlogging is more common due to more frequent extreme precipitation but its impact on soil organic carbon (SOC) loss is obscure in straw-return farmland. We compared soil properties and biochemical characteristics of SOC (compositions of non-cellulosic and amino polysaccharides) in adjacent periodic waterlogged farmland (PWF) and non-waterlogged farmland (NWF) in a semi-humid warm temperate region. SOC mineralization was also measured at 60% (aerobic) or 100% (anaerobic) of field capacity at 25 °C for 82 days. The negative effect of periodic waterlogging on SOC contents and soil aggregate stability were observed in the 20–80 cm depth...

Contribution to the understanding of sediment transport during extreme flood event in Wei Laing watershed, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Muhammad Anggri Setiawan, Ratih Winastuti, Dimas Maula Hayat, Boma Karunia Dwi Putra, Djati Mardiatno, Nugroho Christanto, Meilinarti Meilinarti, Ida Ngurah

Soil & Water Res., 2025, 20(2):119-130 | DOI: 10.17221/147/2024-SWR  

The 2021 Cyclone Seroja was a category 3 storm that made landfall on Lembata Island, causing extensive damage. This study aims to identify key interpretations of sediment transport related to tropical cyclones (TC) Seroja and past floods using a geopedological approach, estimate the return period through frequency analysis, and determine the rainfall threshold for flooding using HEC-RAS software. Extreme rainfall data from global precipitation model (GPM) (2000–2023) in Wei Laing watershed were analysed alongside LiDAR terrain data, physical and chemical properties of soil, and land cover data. Based on geopedological analysis, the result shows...

Biochar innovations for sustainable agriculture: Acidification and zinc enrichment strategies to improve calcareous soil fertility and wheat yield

Salih Demirkaya^*, Coskun Gülser

Soil & Water Res., 2025, 20(2):105-118 | DOI: 10.17221/77/2024-SWR  

Calcareous soils, typically characterized by low fertility, low organic matter and nitrogen content, and often deficient in phosphorus, zinc, and iron, as well as having low microbial activity, require the development of sustainable soil conditioners to improve fertility. To address these shortcomings and promote sustainable agriculture, biochar, especially with acidic character, may offer a promising solution. This study investigates the effects of modified biochar by H₂SO₄ and ZnSO₄ on soil properties and wheat yield under field conditions. For this purpose, biochar (B), acidified biochar (AB), Zn enriched biochar...

Fractal parameters of soil particle size distribution in karst area, and implications of soil water repellency by plantations

Zhuo Tian, Haitao Deng, Shuaipu Zhang, Qinxue Xu, Xin Jin

Soil & Water Res., 2025, 20(2):93-104 | DOI: 10.17221/84/2024-SWR  

As a critical and universal soil physical property, soil water repellency significantly affects soil and water erosion and vegetation restoration, particularly in the karst region. This study analysed soil properties, namely, particle size distribution (PSD) in abandoned farmland and different plantations in karst areas, and their impact on water repellency to provide references for its ecological restoration. First, for the shaddock plantation, citrus plantation, ginkgo plantation, Robinia pseudoacacia plantation, and abandoned farmland, the research objects, soil particle size and water drop penetration time were measured, and the fractal...

Understanding gully erosion development through a geomorphological approach

Edwin Maulana, Junun Sartohadi, Muhammad Anggri Setiawan

Soil & Water Res., 2025, 20(2):84-92 | DOI: 10.17221/92/2024-SWR  

This study aims to identify the gully erosion typology and development using a geomorphological approach. Gully geomorphology features were executed using combined photogrammetric approaches: aerial photography (unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV) and terrestrial photo data (structure from motion, SfM). The UAV data are used to identify the gully orientation, while SfM derives the geomorphological features in the gully dimensions. Five canopy-free gully erosion points were selected for the UAV-SfM data acquisition. Typically, SfM data offer higher resolution (0.11–0.57 cm) than UAV data (0.61–2.08 cm). Modelling using SfM can provide an in-depth...

Effect of surface-applied compost on soil properties

Markéta Miháliková, Kamila Báťková, Petr Dvořák, Recep Serdar Kara, Cansu Almaz, Martin Král, Barbora Badalíková, Květuše Hejátková, Vladimír Mašán, Patrik Burg, Petr Plíva

Soil & Water Res., 2025, 20(2):71-83 | DOI: 10.17221/148/2024-SWR  

The positive influence of surface compost application without incorporation on soil physical properties is known but remains underexplored. This study evaluated the effects of surface-applied stable and mature compost on basic soil physical and chemical properties, including saturated hydraulic conductivity, aggregate stability, and penetration resistance. Conducted as a semi-operational field experiment in two Czech agricultural sites (A: Blatnice at Jaroměřice and B: Jevíčko; Cambisols with loam and silty clay loam textures, respectively), the plots were treated with compost (SCA) at rates of 4 × 30 t/ha (A) and 1 × 200 t/ha (B) or left untreated...

LIST OF REVIEWERS – 2024

Editorial Department

Soil & Water Res., 2025, 20(1):I  

Corrigendum: Computed tomographic visualisation and 2D/3D microscopic evaluation of soil macro- and micromorphology

Lubica Pospíšilová, Jana Plisková, Victory Armida Janine Jaques, Tomáš Zikmund, Luboš Sedlák, Aleš Eichmeier, Aleš Klement, Radka Kodešová, Luboš Borůvka, Jozef Kaiser, Ladislav Menšík

Soil & Water Res., 2025, 20(1):69 | DOI: 10.17221/2/2025-SWR  

Parameters of labile organic carbon as the indicators of the stability of soil organic matter under different land use

Erika Balontayová, Juraj Hreško, Viera Petlušová, Peter Petluš, Bożena Dębska, Tomáš Lošák

Soil & Water Res., 2025, 20(1):52-68 | DOI: 10.17221/119/2024-SWR  

The labile fractions of organic carbon (OC), which are a reflection of the properties of soil and its use, appear to be suitable parameters for their use as indicators. The aim of this study was to determine the reliable and relatively simple indicators for detecting the chemical and physical stabilizations of OC, which would respond sensitively to land use. The study includes forest ecosystem (FE) and agroecosystem (AE) with different tillage intensities (reduced tillage, RT and conventional tillage, CT) on real farms. Parameters of the labile C and N were tested. For a depth of < 0.1 m in the FE, the hot water extractable organic carbon (HWEOC)...

Monitoring surface water pollution in Algeria using database indices

Ouahiba Bouchama, Lounes Amar

Soil & Water Res., 2025, 20(1):43-51 | DOI: 10.17221/83/2024-SWR  

This study investigated how remote sensing techniques can pinpoint pollution in surface water areas. Researchers focused on the municipalities of Boumerdes, Corso, and Tidjalabine in Algeria’s Boumerdes province. The team used geographic information systems (GIS) to analyse pollution levels and their spatial distribution. Specifically, they employed the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to identify areas teeming with biodiversity and healthy vegetation. Furthermore, the compactness index provided insights into the overall evolution of the drainage network. This data proved invaluable in identifying areas likely impacted by pollution....