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Modelling particle mobilization and leaching in macroporous soil
Author(s) -
Jarvis N. J.,
Villholth K. G.,
Ulén B.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
european journal of soil science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.244
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2389
pISSN - 1351-0754
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2389.1999.00269.x
Subject(s) - macropore , leaching (pedology) , sink (geography) , particle (ecology) , soil science , environmental science , porosity , leaching model , soil water , mineralogy , chemistry , geology , geotechnical engineering , soil fertility , oceanography , geography , mesoporous material , biochemistry , cartography , catalysis
Summary The migration of colloidal particles in the unsaturated zone may enhance leaching of sorbing contaminants to surface waters and groundwaters. This paper describes a simple model of particle leaching and translocation based on the dual‐porosity model MACRO. The model includes descriptions of processes such as ‘source‐limited’ particle detachment due to the kinetic energy of rain, replenishment of the depleted store of particles up to a maximum value determined by the amount of dispersible clay in the soil, and convective transport of particles in macropores subject to a filter sink term varying as a function of pore water velocity. Estimates of model parameter values are obtained by comparing simulations with measurements of particle concentrations in the discharge from tile drains made in a silty clay soil in southwest Sweden. Calibrated in this way, the model is shown to reproduce satisfactorily the observations. A sensitivity analysis suggests that the critical parameters in the model are those related to particle filtering during vertical transport in soil macropores.