An automated microinfiltrometer to measure small-scale soil water infiltration properties
We developed an automated miniature constant-head tension infiltrometer that measures very small infiltration rates at millimetre resolution with minimal demands on the operator. The infiltrometer is made of 2.9 mm internal radius glass tube, with an integrated bubbling tower to maintain constant ne...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Sciendo
2014-09-01
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| Series: | Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.2478/johh-2014-0023 |
| _version_ | 1819022497243201536 |
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| author | Gordon Dennis C. Hallett Paul D. |
| author_facet | Gordon Dennis C. Hallett Paul D. |
| author_sort | Gordon Dennis C. |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We developed an automated miniature constant-head tension infiltrometer that measures very small infiltration rates at millimetre resolution with minimal demands on the operator. The infiltrometer is made of 2.9 mm internal radius glass tube, with an integrated bubbling tower to maintain constant negative head and a porous mesh tip to avoid air-entry. In the bubbling tower, bubble formation and release changes the electrical resistance between two electrodes at the air-inlet. Tests were conducted on repacked sieved sands, sandy loam soil and clay loam soil, packed to a soil bulk density ρd of 1200 kg m-3 or 1400 kg m-3 and tested either air-dried or at a water potential ψ of -50 kPa. The change in water volume in the infiltrometer had a linear relationship with the number of bubbles, allowing bubble rate to be converted to infiltration rate. Sorptivity measured with the infiltrometer was similar between replicates and showed expected differences from soil texture and ρd, varying from 0.15 ± 0.01 (s.e.) mm s-1/2 for 1400 kg m-3 clay loam at ψ = -50 kPa to 0.65 ± 0.06 mm s-1/2 for 1200 kg m-3 air dry sandy loam soil. An array of infiltrometers is currently being developed so many measurements can be taken simultaneously. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T04:23:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3216153794494f4db3516a7122ec5793 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0042-790X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T04:23:56Z |
| publishDate | 2014-09-01 |
| publisher | Sciendo |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics |
| spelling | doaj.art-3216153794494f4db3516a7122ec57932022-12-21T19:16:06ZengSciendoJournal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics0042-790X2014-09-0162324825210.2478/johh-2014-0023johh-2014-0023An automated microinfiltrometer to measure small-scale soil water infiltration propertiesGordon Dennis C.0Hallett Paul D.1The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA, United KingdomThe James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA, United Kingdom/Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Cruickshank Building, St Machar Drive, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU, United Kingdom.We developed an automated miniature constant-head tension infiltrometer that measures very small infiltration rates at millimetre resolution with minimal demands on the operator. The infiltrometer is made of 2.9 mm internal radius glass tube, with an integrated bubbling tower to maintain constant negative head and a porous mesh tip to avoid air-entry. In the bubbling tower, bubble formation and release changes the electrical resistance between two electrodes at the air-inlet. Tests were conducted on repacked sieved sands, sandy loam soil and clay loam soil, packed to a soil bulk density ρd of 1200 kg m-3 or 1400 kg m-3 and tested either air-dried or at a water potential ψ of -50 kPa. The change in water volume in the infiltrometer had a linear relationship with the number of bubbles, allowing bubble rate to be converted to infiltration rate. Sorptivity measured with the infiltrometer was similar between replicates and showed expected differences from soil texture and ρd, varying from 0.15 ± 0.01 (s.e.) mm s-1/2 for 1400 kg m-3 clay loam at ψ = -50 kPa to 0.65 ± 0.06 mm s-1/2 for 1200 kg m-3 air dry sandy loam soil. An array of infiltrometers is currently being developed so many measurements can be taken simultaneously.https://doi.org/10.2478/johh-2014-0023tension infiltrometerwater sorptivityautomated measurementssmall-scale infiltration measurements |
| spellingShingle | Gordon Dennis C. Hallett Paul D. An automated microinfiltrometer to measure small-scale soil water infiltration properties Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics tension infiltrometer water sorptivity automated measurements small-scale infiltration measurements |
| title | An automated microinfiltrometer to measure small-scale soil water infiltration properties |
| title_full | An automated microinfiltrometer to measure small-scale soil water infiltration properties |
| title_fullStr | An automated microinfiltrometer to measure small-scale soil water infiltration properties |
| title_full_unstemmed | An automated microinfiltrometer to measure small-scale soil water infiltration properties |
| title_short | An automated microinfiltrometer to measure small-scale soil water infiltration properties |
| title_sort | automated microinfiltrometer to measure small scale soil water infiltration properties |
| topic | tension infiltrometer water sorptivity automated measurements small-scale infiltration measurements |
| url | https://doi.org/10.2478/johh-2014-0023 |
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