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Gamma Radiation Measurements of Bulk Density Changes in a Soil Pedon Following Irrigation
Author(s) -
Reginato Robert J.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1974.03615995003800010015x
Subject(s) - bulk density , soil science , environmental science , soil horizon , soil water , irrigation , hydrology (agriculture) , geology , agronomy , geotechnical engineering , biology
Bulk density in a soil pedon was measured with a gammaray transmission technique utilizing 137 Cs and 241 Am. Both gamma‐ray sources could not be used simultaneously for bulk density determinations in a system where the sources were uncollimated and the detector was not shielded. By alternating sources for each scan down the soil profile, it was shown that bulk density decreased in the top 6 cm of soil about 30 minutes after water was ponded on the soil surface. As soon as the water drained from the surface, bulk density values approached preirrigation levels. Changes in height of the soil surface upon irrigation corresponded with changes in bulk density.