A Comparison and Validation of Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity Models
Saturated hydraulic conductivity (<i>K<sub>sat</sub></i>) is fundamental to shallow groundwater processes. There is an ongoing need for observed and model validated <i>K<sub>sat</sub></i> values. A study was initiated in a representative catchment of t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-07-01
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| Series: | Water |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/12/7/2040 |
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| author | Kaylyn S. Gootman Elliott Kellner Jason A. Hubbart |
| author_facet | Kaylyn S. Gootman Elliott Kellner Jason A. Hubbart |
| author_sort | Kaylyn S. Gootman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Saturated hydraulic conductivity (<i>K<sub>sat</sub></i>) is fundamental to shallow groundwater processes. There is an ongoing need for observed and model validated <i>K<sub>sat</sub></i> values. A study was initiated in a representative catchment of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed in the Northeast USA, to collect observed <i>K<sub>sat</sub></i> and validate five <i>K<sub>sat</sub></i> pedotransfer functions. Soil physical characteristics were quantified for dry bulk density (<i>bdry</i>), porosity, and soil texture, while <i>K<sub>sat</sub></i> was quantified using piezometric slug tests. Average <i>bdry</i> and porosity ranged from 1.03 to 1.30 g/cm<sup>3</sup> and 0.51 to 0.61, respectively. Surface soil (0–5 cm) <i>bdry</i> and porosity were significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) lower and higher, respectively, than deeper soils (i.e., 25–30 cm; 45–50 cm). <i>bdry</i> and porosity were significantly different with location (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Average soil composition was 92% sand. Average <i>K<sub>sat</sub></i> ranged from 0.29 to 4.76 m/day and significantly differed (<i>p</i> < 0.05) by location. Four models showed that spatial variability in farm-scale <i>K<sub>sat</sub></i> estimates was small (CV < 0.5) and one model performed better when <i>K<sub>sat</sub></i> was 1.5 to 2.5 m/day. The two-parameter model that relied on silt/clay fractions performed best (ME = 0.78 m/day; SSE = 20.68 m<sup>2</sup>/day<sup>2</sup>; RMSE = 1.36 m/day). Results validate the use of simple, soil-property-based models to predict <i>K<sub>sat</sub></i>, thereby increasing model applicability and transferability. |
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-86a1770c0ecd40acbe38740983376598 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4441 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T18:23:50Z |
| publishDate | 2020-07-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-86a1770c0ecd40acbe387409833765982023-11-20T07:10:45ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412020-07-01127204010.3390/w12072040A Comparison and Validation of Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity ModelsKaylyn S. Gootman0Elliott Kellner1Jason A. Hubbart2Institute of Water Security and Science, West Virginia University, Agricultural Sciences Building, Morgantown, WV 26506, USAInstitute of Water Security and Science, West Virginia University, Agricultural Sciences Building, Morgantown, WV 26506, USAInstitute of Water Security and Science, West Virginia University, Agricultural Sciences Building, Morgantown, WV 26506, USASaturated hydraulic conductivity (<i>K<sub>sat</sub></i>) is fundamental to shallow groundwater processes. There is an ongoing need for observed and model validated <i>K<sub>sat</sub></i> values. A study was initiated in a representative catchment of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed in the Northeast USA, to collect observed <i>K<sub>sat</sub></i> and validate five <i>K<sub>sat</sub></i> pedotransfer functions. Soil physical characteristics were quantified for dry bulk density (<i>bdry</i>), porosity, and soil texture, while <i>K<sub>sat</sub></i> was quantified using piezometric slug tests. Average <i>bdry</i> and porosity ranged from 1.03 to 1.30 g/cm<sup>3</sup> and 0.51 to 0.61, respectively. Surface soil (0–5 cm) <i>bdry</i> and porosity were significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) lower and higher, respectively, than deeper soils (i.e., 25–30 cm; 45–50 cm). <i>bdry</i> and porosity were significantly different with location (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Average soil composition was 92% sand. Average <i>K<sub>sat</sub></i> ranged from 0.29 to 4.76 m/day and significantly differed (<i>p</i> < 0.05) by location. Four models showed that spatial variability in farm-scale <i>K<sub>sat</sub></i> estimates was small (CV < 0.5) and one model performed better when <i>K<sub>sat</sub></i> was 1.5 to 2.5 m/day. The two-parameter model that relied on silt/clay fractions performed best (ME = 0.78 m/day; SSE = 20.68 m<sup>2</sup>/day<sup>2</sup>; RMSE = 1.36 m/day). Results validate the use of simple, soil-property-based models to predict <i>K<sub>sat</sub></i>, thereby increasing model applicability and transferability.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/12/7/2040saturated hydraulic conductivitypedotransfer functionmodel validationChesapeake Bay Watershedexperimental watershed study |
| spellingShingle | Kaylyn S. Gootman Elliott Kellner Jason A. Hubbart A Comparison and Validation of Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity Models Water saturated hydraulic conductivity pedotransfer function model validation Chesapeake Bay Watershed experimental watershed study |
| title | A Comparison and Validation of Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity Models |
| title_full | A Comparison and Validation of Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity Models |
| title_fullStr | A Comparison and Validation of Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity Models |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Comparison and Validation of Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity Models |
| title_short | A Comparison and Validation of Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity Models |
| title_sort | comparison and validation of saturated hydraulic conductivity models |
| topic | saturated hydraulic conductivity pedotransfer function model validation Chesapeake Bay Watershed experimental watershed study |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/12/7/2040 |
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