Influence of Freeze-Thaw Cycle on Silt Loam Soil in Sagebrush Steppe of Northeastern Oregon

Soil freeze-thaw cycles can result in soil surface crusting, pedestaling, and movement. Thi s study was undertaken to quantify the amount of heaving and soil moisture migration in a silt loam soil from the sagebrush steppe. Soil columns containing silt loam soil with moisture treatments of 26%, 34%, 42%, or 50% water content and initial temperatures of 9 degrees C or 20 degrees C were exposed to -7 degrees C for 18 h, which did not completely freeze the soil to full depth. Moisture redistribution amounts of 10% to 20% were observed in treatments above field capacity. Surface saturation was observed after freezing with treatments of 42% and 50% water volume. Soil heaving of up to 0.5 cm was observed after one freezing event. (C) 2018 The Society for Range Management. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.