Premium
A Method for Measuring the Vertical and Horizontal Ksat of Clay Soils with Macropores
Author(s) -
Bouma J.,
Dekker L. W.
Publication year - 1981
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/sssaj1981.03615995004500030046x
Subject(s) - cube (algebra) , macropore , soil water , geology , compaction , cube root , horizontal and vertical , gypsum , soil science , table (database) , mineralogy , geotechnical engineering , geometry , mathematics , chemistry , computer science , geodesy , mesoporous material , paleontology , biochemistry , data mining , catalysis
A field method is presented for measuring the vertical and horizontal K sat of a cube of soil (25 × 25 × 25 cm) which is carved out in situ and covered with gypsum. A vertical K sat is measured by infiltrating water into the exposed upper surface and by collecting it below the exposed lower surface of the cube. The cube is then turned. The two open surfaces are covered with gypsum, which is removed from the other two vertical sidewalls. These turn into surfaces for percolation after again turning the cube. A vertical K sat is now measured which represents the horizontal K sat of the cube in its original position in the soil. The method is inexpensive and simple, creates the required large sample in clay soils, does not involve compaction of soil, can be used above the water table, and defines K sat in terms of direction.