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Mechanism and Simulation of Water Erosion and Nutrient Loss on Hillslopes

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Water Erosion and Sediment Transport".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 21 September 2025 | Viewed by 6656

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Chang Ao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
Interests: soil erosion; nutrient loss, terraced sloped cropland; soil and water conservation; subsurface drainage for salinity control
Dr. Weiming Xing

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Hydraulic Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
Interests: soil erosion; nutrient loss, soil crust; nitrogen and phosphorus loss; hydraulic dynamics; soil and water conservation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Soil erosion is a global issue, and severe soil erosion leads to the loss of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium from the soil, resulting in a decline in soil fertility, reduction in soil quality, and increased agricultural non-point source pollution of water environments. Moreover, surface soil erosion alters soil texture and accelerates desertification in arid regions. Therefore, nutrient loss through soil erosion is not only an agricultural problem, but also an ecological and environmental concern. Soil nutrient loss on hillslopes is a complex physical–chemical process influenced by various factors, including rainfall characteristics, soil properties, land surface conditions, and the properties of involved chemical substances. To effectively predict and control the migration of soil nutrients in tandem with surface runoff, it is necessary to analyze and study this complex process.

This Special Issue, titled “Mechanism and Simulation of Water Erosion and Nutrient Loss on Hillslopes”, aims to provide an overview of studies that assess various nutrient loss processes using qualitative and quantitative approaches. Potential areas of interest include, but are not limited to, topics such as numerical simulations, conceptual models, experimental studies, and future predictions of nutrient loss on hillslopes.

Dr. Chang Ao
Dr. Weiming Xing
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • hillslope
  • soil nutrients
  • surface runoff
  • soil loss
  • hydrological simulation
  • dynamic mechanisms
  • simulation models
  • nutrient loss control

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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31 pages, 7599 KiB  
Article
Integrating Remote Sensing and Machine Learning for Dynamic Monitoring of Eutrophication in River Systems: A Case Study of Barato River, Japan
by Dang Guansan, Ram Avtar, Gowhar Meraj, Saleh Alsulamy, Dheeraj Joshi, Laxmi Narayan Gupta, Malay Pramanik and Pankaj Kumar
Water 2025, 17(1), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17010089 - 1 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1271
Abstract
Rivers play a crucial role in nutrient cycling, yet are increasingly affected by eutrophication due to anthropogenic activities. This study focuses on the Barato River in Hokkaido, Japan, employing an integrated approach of field measurements and Sentinel-2 satellite remote sensing to monitor eutrophication [...] Read more.
Rivers play a crucial role in nutrient cycling, yet are increasingly affected by eutrophication due to anthropogenic activities. This study focuses on the Barato River in Hokkaido, Japan, employing an integrated approach of field measurements and Sentinel-2 satellite remote sensing to monitor eutrophication as the river experiencing huge sewage effluents. Key parameters such as chlorophyll-a (Chla), dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP), and Secchi Disk Depth (SDD) were analyzed. The developed empirical models showed a strong predictive capability for water quality, particularly for Chla (R2 = 0.87), DIP (R2 = 0.61), and SDD (R2 = 0.82). Seasonal analysis indicated peak Chla concentrations in October, reaching up to 92.4 μg/L, alongside significant decreases in DIN and DIP, suggesting high phytoplankton activity. Advanced machine learning models, specifically back propagation neural networks, improved the prediction accuracy with R2 values up to 0.90 for Chla and 0.83 for DIN. Temporal analyses from 2018 to 2022 consistently revealed the Barato River’s eutrophic state, with severe eutrophication occurring for 33% of the year and moderate for over 50%, emphasizing the ongoing nutrient imbalance. The strong correlation between DIP and Chla highlights phosphorus as the main driver of eutrophication. These findings demonstrate the efficacy of integrating remote sensing and machine learning for dynamic monitoring of river eutrophication, providing critical insights for nutrient management and water quality improvement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanism and Simulation of Water Erosion and Nutrient Loss on Hillslopes)
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17 pages, 3863 KiB  
Article
One-Dimensional Numerical Cascade Model of Runoff and Soil Loss on Convergent and Divergent Plane Soil Surfaces: Laboratory Assessment and Numerical Simulations
by Babar Mujtaba, João L. M. P. de Lima and M. Isabel P. de Lima
Water 2024, 16(20), 2955; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16202955 - 17 Oct 2024
Viewed by 897
Abstract
A one-dimensional numerical overland flow model based on the cascade plane theory was developed to estimate rainfall-induced runoff and soil erosion on converging and diverging plane surfaces. The model includes three components: (i) soil infiltration using Horton’s infiltration equation, (ii) overland flow using [...] Read more.
A one-dimensional numerical overland flow model based on the cascade plane theory was developed to estimate rainfall-induced runoff and soil erosion on converging and diverging plane surfaces. The model includes three components: (i) soil infiltration using Horton’s infiltration equation, (ii) overland flow using the kinematic wave approximation of the one-dimensional Saint-Venant shallow water equations for a cascade of planes, and (iii) soil erosion based on the sediment transport continuity equation. The model’s performance was evaluated by comparing numerical results with laboratory data from experiments using a rainfall simulator and a soil flume. Four independent experiments were conducted on converging and diverging surfaces under varying slope and rainfall conditions. Overall, the numerically simulated hydrographs and sediment graphs closely matched the laboratory results, showing the efficiency of the model for the tested controlled laboratory conditions. The model was then used to numerically explore the impact of different plane soil surface geometries on runoff and soil loss. Seven geometries were studied: one rectangular, three diverging, and three converging. A constant soil surface area, the rainfall intensity, and the slope gradient were maintained in all simulations. Results showed that increasing convergence angles led to a higher peak and total soil loss, while decreasing divergence angles reduced them. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanism and Simulation of Water Erosion and Nutrient Loss on Hillslopes)
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19 pages, 10731 KiB  
Article
Characteristics of Soil Physical Properties and Spatial Distribution of Soil Erosion on Ridge-Slope Farmland in the Black Soil Areas of Northeast China
by Siyu Wei, Yu Fu, Binhui Liu, Yanling Zhang, Shuai Shao and Xiaoya Zhang
Water 2024, 16(16), 2353; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16162353 - 22 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1117
Abstract
To explore the spatial distribution characteristics of soil physical properties and soil erosion in sloping farmland with ridges in the black soil areas of northeast China, sloping farmland with ridges built with woven bags (RW) along the contour lines was selected as the [...] Read more.
To explore the spatial distribution characteristics of soil physical properties and soil erosion in sloping farmland with ridges in the black soil areas of northeast China, sloping farmland with ridges built with woven bags (RW) along the contour lines was selected as the research object, and another sloping farmland was selected as the control (CK). Soil samples were collected from both RW and CK at uniform spatial intervals to measure key indicators of soil properties in the surface layer (0–15 cm), including soil water-holding capacity, soil structure, and annual average soil loss (A). The results showed that: (i) RW exhibited a significantly higher overall field water-holding capacity compared to CK, with soil moisture characteristics more evenly distributed spatially. Soil bulk weight, fractal dimension, and soil aggregate destruction in RW were reduced by 1.09%, 0.65%, and 4.61%, respectively, compared to CK. Additionally, soil total porosity, capillary porosity, mean weight diameter (MWD), and geometric mean diameter (GWD) were more evenly distributed spatially in RW. (ii) On the up-slope, soil water content and DR>0.25 in RW had a higher increase than those of CK. On the mid-slope, soil field water-holding capacity, capillary porosity, MWD, and GWD in RW had a higher increase than those in CK. On the down-slope, RW had a 7.67–10.79% increase in soil water content, saturated water-holding capacity, field water-holding capacity, and capillary water-holding capacity compared to CK, with total soil porosity and soil capillary porosity increasing by 2.84% and 15.51%, respectively. (iii) Annual average soil loss (A) of RW was reduced by 61.85–99.64% compared to CK, based on the China Soil Loss Equation (CSLE). (vi) Soil water-holding capacity and soil structure characteristics of RW showed benefits compared to CK, with the benefits ranging from 1.01 to 1.09, while the benefit of A reached 2.46. This study is significant for understanding the spatial distribution of soil erosion on sloped farmland in black soil areas and for the effective application of soil and water conservation measures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanism and Simulation of Water Erosion and Nutrient Loss on Hillslopes)
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18 pages, 3122 KiB  
Article
Responses of Soil and Ammonia Nitrogen Loss Rates to Hydraulic Parameters under Different Slope Gradients and Rainfall Intensities
by Hao Yang, Chenchen Wei, Guanghui Sun, Xueqing Tao, Yitong Wang and Weimin Xing
Water 2024, 16(2), 230; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16020230 - 9 Jan 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1605
Abstract
Soil erosion and the consequent loss of nutrients have consistently been significant factors contributing to land degradation and nonpoint source pollution. While runoff serves as the primary carrier for nutrient loss, the hydraulic processes governing the mechanisms of nutrient loss remain not entirely [...] Read more.
Soil erosion and the consequent loss of nutrients have consistently been significant factors contributing to land degradation and nonpoint source pollution. While runoff serves as the primary carrier for nutrient loss, the hydraulic processes governing the mechanisms of nutrient loss remain not entirely clear. This paper aims to investigate the impacts of rainfall intensity and the slope gradient on hydraulic parameters, soil loss rates, and ammonia nitrogen loss rates, with the objective of determining the optimal hydraulic parameters for more accurate predictions of soil erosion and nutrient loss rates. A series of simulated rainfall experiments with three rainfall intensities (25, 50, and 75 mm min−1) and four slope gradients (8.7%, 17.6%, 26.8%, and 36.4%) were conducted on a 5 m × 10 m slope. The results indicated that the flow velocity, shear stress, stream power, unit stream power, and unit energy all increased with the increase in slope gradient or rainfall intensity. The water depth decreased with an increase in the slope gradient but increased with an increase in the rainfall intensity. Laminar flow occurred in all experiments (Reynolds number < 500). Only the overland flow under a 25 mm h−1 rainfall intensity and 8.7% slope gradient was subcritical flow (Froude number < 1). Hydraulic parameters, the soil loss rate, and ammonia nitrogen loss rate could be all expressed as the product of rainfall intensity and slope power function, with R2 ranging from 0.949 to 0.997. The average soil loss rate and process soil erosion rate could both be fitted using the power function of hydraulic parameters, with the optimal fitting parameter being stream power (R2 = 0.980 and 0.909). The average ammonia nitrogen loss rate exhibited a linear relationship with the hydraulic parameters, and the optimal fitting parameter was also stream power (R2 = 0.933). However, there were relatively low correlations between hydrodynamic parameters and the ammonia nitrogen loss rate (R2 = 0.450–0587). Our results contribute to a deeper understanding of the hydraulic processes involved in nutrient loss. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanism and Simulation of Water Erosion and Nutrient Loss on Hillslopes)
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Review

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32 pages, 4617 KiB  
Review
A Review of Advanced Soil Moisture Monitoring Techniques for Slope Stability Assessment
by Yongsheng Yao, Jiabin Fan and Jue Li
Water 2025, 17(3), 390; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17030390 - 31 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1055
Abstract
Slope failures caused by changes in soil moisture content have become a growing global concern, resulting in significant loss of life and economic damage. To ensure the stability of slopes, it is necessary to accurately monitor the moisture content and understand the complex [...] Read more.
Slope failures caused by changes in soil moisture content have become a growing global concern, resulting in significant loss of life and economic damage. To ensure the stability of slopes, it is necessary to accurately monitor the moisture content and understand the complex interactions between soil, water, and slope behavior. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of advanced soil moisture detection techniques for unsaturated soil slopes, including point-scale measurements and geophysical methods. It first introduces the fundamental concepts of the soil–water characteristic curve (SWCC) and its influence on the shear strength and stability of unsaturated soil slopes. It then delves into the working principles and applications of various point-scale measurement techniques, such as time-domain reflectometry (TDR), frequency-domain reflectometry (FDR), and neutron probe methods. Additionally, this paper explores the use of geophysiDear Editor: The author has checked that the name and affiliation are accuratecal methods, including ground-penetrating radar (GPR), electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), and electromagnetic induction (EMI), for the non-invasive assessment of soil moisture conditions and slope stability monitoring. This review highlights the advantages of integrating multiple geophysical techniques, combined with traditional geotechnical and hydrological measurements, to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the subsurface conditions and their influence on slope stability. Several case studies are presented to demonstrate the successful application of this integrated approach in various slope monitoring scenarios. The continued advancement in these areas will contribute to the development of more accurate, reliable, and widely adopted solutions for the assessment and management of slope stability risks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanism and Simulation of Water Erosion and Nutrient Loss on Hillslopes)
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