Seasonal variation in field‐saturated hydraulic conductivity in two swelling clay soils in Sweden

Authors:
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
SUMMARY: A simple method (the inversed auger hole method) for measuring field‐saturated hydraulic conductivity ( K fs ) was investigated. Measurements were carried out in the spring, summer and autumn at three depths in two Swedish clay soils (Ultuna and Limsta, with clay contents of 45–60%0 and 65–80%, under barley and grass/clover ley respectively). Seasonal fluctuations in K fs at Limsta were more pronounced, and were observed deeper in the profile. This was attributed primarily to larger structural changes due to a higher capacity for swell/shrink (normal shrinkage over the available water range) and an earlier drying up of the soil under grass/clover ley. It was shown that the measured K fs values were strongly correlated with the total inter aggregate (macro‐) porosity (e t ), estimated from a simple model of soil shrinkage. Combining the data from both soils, a single power‐law relation was adequate ( r = 0.73) to describe the variations in K fs with e t

This publication has 16 references indexed in Scilit: