Infiltration-soil moisture redistribution under natural conditions: experimental evidence as a guideline for realizing simulation models

The evolution in time, <i>t</i>, of the experimental soil moisture vertical profile under natural conditions is investigated in order to address the corresponding simulation modelling. The measurements were conducted in a plot with a bare silty loam soil. The soil water c...

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Main Authors: R. Morbidelli, C. Corradini, C. Saltalippi, A. Flammini, E. Rossi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2011-09-01
Series:Hydrology and Earth System Sciences
Online Access:http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/15/2937/2011/hess-15-2937-2011.pdf
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author R. Morbidelli
C. Corradini
C. Saltalippi
A. Flammini
E. Rossi
author_facet R. Morbidelli
C. Corradini
C. Saltalippi
A. Flammini
E. Rossi
author_sort R. Morbidelli
collection DOAJ
description The evolution in time, <i>t</i>, of the experimental soil moisture vertical profile under natural conditions is investigated in order to address the corresponding simulation modelling. The measurements were conducted in a plot with a bare silty loam soil. The soil water content, θ, was continuously monitored at different depths, <i>z</i>, using a Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) system. Four buriable three-rod waveguides were inserted horizontally at different depths (5, 15, 25 and 35 cm). In addition, we used sensors of air temperature and relative humidity, wind speed, solar radiation, evaporation and rain as supports for the application of selected simulation models, as well as for the detection of elements leading to their improvement. The results indicate that, under natural conditions, very different trends of the θ(<i>z</i>, <i>t</i>) function can be observed in the given fine-textured soil, where the formation of a sealing layer over the parent soil requires an adjustment of the simulation modelling commonly used for hydrological applications. In particular, because of the considerable variations in the shape of the moisture content vertical profile as a function of time, a generalization of the existing models should incorporate a first approximation of the variability in time of the saturated hydraulic conductivity, <i>K</i><sub>1s</sub>, of the uppermost soil. This conclusion is supported by the fact that the observed shape of θ(<i>z</i>, <i>t</i>) can be appropriately reproduced by adopting the proposed approach with <i>K</i><sub>1s</sub> kept constant during each rainfall event but considered variable from event to event, however the observed rainfall rate and the occurrence of freeze-thaw cycles with high soil moisture contents have to be explicitly incorporated in a functional form for <i>K</i><sub>1s</sub>(<i>t</i>).
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spelling doaj.art-fd1ee10fba7a438aa12d3723219044352022-12-22T00:09:03ZengCopernicus PublicationsHydrology and Earth System Sciences1027-56061607-79382011-09-011592937294510.5194/hess-15-2937-2011Infiltration-soil moisture redistribution under natural conditions: experimental evidence as a guideline for realizing simulation modelsR. MorbidelliC. CorradiniC. SaltalippiA. FlamminiE. RossiThe evolution in time, <i>t</i>, of the experimental soil moisture vertical profile under natural conditions is investigated in order to address the corresponding simulation modelling. The measurements were conducted in a plot with a bare silty loam soil. The soil water content, θ, was continuously monitored at different depths, <i>z</i>, using a Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) system. Four buriable three-rod waveguides were inserted horizontally at different depths (5, 15, 25 and 35 cm). In addition, we used sensors of air temperature and relative humidity, wind speed, solar radiation, evaporation and rain as supports for the application of selected simulation models, as well as for the detection of elements leading to their improvement. The results indicate that, under natural conditions, very different trends of the θ(<i>z</i>, <i>t</i>) function can be observed in the given fine-textured soil, where the formation of a sealing layer over the parent soil requires an adjustment of the simulation modelling commonly used for hydrological applications. In particular, because of the considerable variations in the shape of the moisture content vertical profile as a function of time, a generalization of the existing models should incorporate a first approximation of the variability in time of the saturated hydraulic conductivity, <i>K</i><sub>1s</sub>, of the uppermost soil. This conclusion is supported by the fact that the observed shape of θ(<i>z</i>, <i>t</i>) can be appropriately reproduced by adopting the proposed approach with <i>K</i><sub>1s</sub> kept constant during each rainfall event but considered variable from event to event, however the observed rainfall rate and the occurrence of freeze-thaw cycles with high soil moisture contents have to be explicitly incorporated in a functional form for <i>K</i><sub>1s</sub>(<i>t</i>).http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/15/2937/2011/hess-15-2937-2011.pdf
spellingShingle R. Morbidelli
C. Corradini
C. Saltalippi
A. Flammini
E. Rossi
Infiltration-soil moisture redistribution under natural conditions: experimental evidence as a guideline for realizing simulation models
Hydrology and Earth System Sciences
title Infiltration-soil moisture redistribution under natural conditions: experimental evidence as a guideline for realizing simulation models
title_full Infiltration-soil moisture redistribution under natural conditions: experimental evidence as a guideline for realizing simulation models
title_fullStr Infiltration-soil moisture redistribution under natural conditions: experimental evidence as a guideline for realizing simulation models
title_full_unstemmed Infiltration-soil moisture redistribution under natural conditions: experimental evidence as a guideline for realizing simulation models
title_short Infiltration-soil moisture redistribution under natural conditions: experimental evidence as a guideline for realizing simulation models
title_sort infiltration soil moisture redistribution under natural conditions experimental evidence as a guideline for realizing simulation models
url http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/15/2937/2011/hess-15-2937-2011.pdf
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