Mass fractal dimensions and some selected physical properties of contrasting soils and sediments of Mexico

The fractal approach to the study of soil structure, its dynamics, and phys ical processes appears to be a useful tool in reaching a better understandi ng of system performance, Nevertheless, the precise concurrent analysis of soil physical properties and fractal parameters seems to be important in or der to evaluate the applicability of fractal concepts to soil science. The objective of this study was to relate the solid and pore mass fractal dimen sions of some soils of Mexico to in situ measured bulk density, electrical permittivity and mechanical resistance. For this purpose, the fractal struc ture of some soils and sediments with contrasting physical properties is do cumented, using microscopic images, in the scale range from 0.009 to 0.2 cm , A single and statistically representative mass fractal dimension, indepen dent of scale, was found for analysed solid and pore networks. Non-invasive techniques were used for in situ measurement df selected soil physical pro perties. The physical measurements were made simultaneously with sampling f or the micromorphological analysis. Simple but not unique relations were es tablished between the solid and pore mass fractal dimensions, soil bulk den sity, apparent dielectric constant (except for Eutric Vertisol), and mechan ical resistance (except for Tepetates), A high correlation was found betwee n mass fractal dimension and horizon depth, We conclude that the fractal an alysis is a useful tool to distinguish between soils and sediments of diffe rent genesis, and that the solid and pore mass fractal dimensions may be us eful indicators of the horizon compaction status. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.