Macropores and Macropore Transport: Relating Basic Soil Properties to Macropore Density and Soil Hydraulic Properties

Bo Vangsø Iversen, Mathieu André Maurice Lamande, Søren Bent Torp, Mogens Humlekrog Greve, Goswin Johann Heckrath, Lis Wollesen de Jonge, Per Møldrup, Ole Hørbye Jacobsen

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

22 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

Preferential transport of water through soil macropores is a governing process in the facilitated transport of strongly sorbing compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between macropore density and the hydraulic conductivity of the soil and to test the sampling representativeness of soil columns for the measurement of saturated hydraulic conductivity. Macropore density was determined in three horizons in four typical Danish soil types (third year of pasture), and saturated hydraulic conductivity and near-saturated hydraulic conductivity were measured in the laboratory on undisturbed soil columns (6,280 cm(3)) in the same three horizons. A strong relationship between macropore density and the mean particle diameter was found in the B and C horizons. A poor relationship was found between macropore density and the hydraulic conductivity at a matric potential of - 10 hPa, whereas a stronger relationship was found at saturation. Results of the test of the number of soil columns needed for a representative distribution of macropores for the measurement of saturated hydraulic conductivity indicated that approximately six soil columns were enough. Our work suggests that integrating knowledge of the abundance of macropores in relation to soil type and land use will increase the performance of pedotransfer functions in predicting saturated hydraulic conductivity
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftSoil Science
Vol/bind177
Udgave nummer9
Sider (fra-til)535-542
Antal sider8
ISSN0038-075X
DOI
StatusUdgivet - sep. 2012

Emneord

  • WATER-FLOW
  • CYLINDRICAL MACROPORES

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