The role of the initial soil water content in the determination of unsaturated soil hydraulic conductivity using a tension infiltrometer

The unsaturated hydraulic conductivity K(h) is a key soil parameter governing the water and solute transportation processes. The course of this function depends on the geometry of the pores which is determined by the soil's physical and chemical properties. Many studies focus on the comparison...

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Main Authors: S. Matula, M. Miháliková, J. Lufinková, K. Báťková
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences 2015-11-01
Series:Plant, Soil and Environment
Subjects:
Online Access:https://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/artkey/pse-201511-0007_the-role-of-the-initial-soil-water-content-in-the-determination-of-unsaturated-soil-hydraulic-conductivity-usin.php
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author S. Matula
M. Miháliková
J. Lufinková
K. Báťková
author_facet S. Matula
M. Miháliková
J. Lufinková
K. Báťková
author_sort S. Matula
collection DOAJ
description The unsaturated hydraulic conductivity K(h) is a key soil parameter governing the water and solute transportation processes. The course of this function depends on the geometry of the pores which is determined by the soil's physical and chemical properties. Many studies focus on the comparison of soil hydraulic conductivity under different conditions. Despite the recent progress in this research field, no reference method for measuring the K(h) in situ exists. This study focuses on the effect of the initial water content of the soil as a factor influencing the measured K(h). The study was performed in situ over short time period and with several replications close to each other in order to reduce the effect of other factors which could cause variations. Two tension infiltrometers were used and compared: A Hood infiltrometer IL-2700 and a Minidisk infiltrometer. Three different levels of initial water content (dry, medium wet and wet) were applied for each of the two infiltrometers, and three pressure heads (-0.5; -1 and -3 cm) for each measurement. According to the results, the Minidisk infiltrometer showed significant sensitivity to the initial water content, while measurements performed using the Hood infiltrometer were more stable.
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spelling doaj.art-f76618fe15a64a6ba5ff169677bc2b082023-02-23T03:46:16ZengCzech Academy of Agricultural SciencesPlant, Soil and Environment1214-11781805-93682015-11-01611151552110.17221/527/2015-PSEpse-201511-0007The role of the initial soil water content in the determination of unsaturated soil hydraulic conductivity using a tension infiltrometerS. Matula0M. Miháliková1J. Lufinková2K. Báťková3Department of Water Resources, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech RepublicDepartment of Water Resources, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech RepublicDepartment of Water Resources, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech RepublicDepartment of Water Resources, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech RepublicThe unsaturated hydraulic conductivity K(h) is a key soil parameter governing the water and solute transportation processes. The course of this function depends on the geometry of the pores which is determined by the soil's physical and chemical properties. Many studies focus on the comparison of soil hydraulic conductivity under different conditions. Despite the recent progress in this research field, no reference method for measuring the K(h) in situ exists. This study focuses on the effect of the initial water content of the soil as a factor influencing the measured K(h). The study was performed in situ over short time period and with several replications close to each other in order to reduce the effect of other factors which could cause variations. Two tension infiltrometers were used and compared: A Hood infiltrometer IL-2700 and a Minidisk infiltrometer. Three different levels of initial water content (dry, medium wet and wet) were applied for each of the two infiltrometers, and three pressure heads (-0.5; -1 and -3 cm) for each measurement. According to the results, the Minidisk infiltrometer showed significant sensitivity to the initial water content, while measurements performed using the Hood infiltrometer were more stable.https://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/artkey/pse-201511-0007_the-role-of-the-initial-soil-water-content-in-the-determination-of-unsaturated-soil-hydraulic-conductivity-usin.phpsoil hydraulic propertiesunsaturated flowinfiltrationsoil moisturepressure head
spellingShingle S. Matula
M. Miháliková
J. Lufinková
K. Báťková
The role of the initial soil water content in the determination of unsaturated soil hydraulic conductivity using a tension infiltrometer
Plant, Soil and Environment
soil hydraulic properties
unsaturated flow
infiltration
soil moisture
pressure head
title The role of the initial soil water content in the determination of unsaturated soil hydraulic conductivity using a tension infiltrometer
title_full The role of the initial soil water content in the determination of unsaturated soil hydraulic conductivity using a tension infiltrometer
title_fullStr The role of the initial soil water content in the determination of unsaturated soil hydraulic conductivity using a tension infiltrometer
title_full_unstemmed The role of the initial soil water content in the determination of unsaturated soil hydraulic conductivity using a tension infiltrometer
title_short The role of the initial soil water content in the determination of unsaturated soil hydraulic conductivity using a tension infiltrometer
title_sort role of the initial soil water content in the determination of unsaturated soil hydraulic conductivity using a tension infiltrometer
topic soil hydraulic properties
unsaturated flow
infiltration
soil moisture
pressure head
url https://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/artkey/pse-201511-0007_the-role-of-the-initial-soil-water-content-in-the-determination-of-unsaturated-soil-hydraulic-conductivity-usin.php
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