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Field Mapping Soil Conductivity to Delineate Dryland Saline Seeps with Four‐electrode Technique
Author(s) -
Halvorson A. D.,
Rhoades J. D.
Publication year - 1976
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/sssaj1976.03615995004000040032x
Subject(s) - soil salinity , hydraulic conductivity , soil science , hydrology (agriculture) , groundwater recharge , environmental science , soil water , petroleum seep , conductivity , geology , salinity , groundwater , geotechnical engineering , chemistry , oceanography , aquifer , methane , organic chemistry
Continuing incidence of saline‐seep areas in the northern Great Plains dryland soils has created a need for detecting and delineating encroaching saline seeps before plant growth is affected. We evaluated the four‐electrode conductivity technique for field mapping surface and subsurface soil salinity under dryland conditions. Results indicated that the four‐electrode conductivity technique can be used successfully to quickly field map surface and subsurface soil salinity boundaries of existing and potential saline‐seep areas. This technique also depicted underground flow patterns of a shallow, saline ground water table. Maps of apparent bulk soil conductivity values (EC a ) were used to locate the position of the recharge area in relation to the discharge (seep) area. While maps of discrete depth interval conductivity values (EC x ) provided more precise information, the time required may not warrant the additional required calculations unless a portable programable calculator is available. Mapping soil salinity with the four‐electrode conductivity technique is easy, rapid, and relatively inexpensive. This technique provides information useful in making management decisions to prevent or alleviate a saline seep or other soil salinity problems.