THE IMPACT OF ANTECEDENT MOISTURE CONTENT ON SLOPE EROSION IN DISPERSIVE SOILS IN THE WESTERN JILIN REGION, CHINA.

Dispersive soils are highly sensitive to moisture content, and its particles are prone to hydraulic erosion and scouring. The objective of this study is to determine the impact of antecedent moisture content on the erosion of dispersive soils in the Zhenlai area and establish erosion characteristics. The soil samples were collected from the Zhenlai area in the western part of Jilin Province, China. The erodibility was assessed at five different antecedent moisture content levels (with a 2% increment) by simulating rainfall in a laboratory setting on small-scale slopes. The results indicate that there are significant differences in erosion characteristics among slopes with different antecedent moisture content levels. The sediment yield from slopes with antecedent moisture content above the optimum moisture content is 60% lower compared to slopes with moisture content below the optimum moisture content. The optimum moisture content was served as a clear erosion threshold. When introducing the soil parameter of matric suction, it was found that it effectively characterizes the sensitivity of dispersive soils in this area to variations in antecedent moisture content and their impact on slope erosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]