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Diffusivity and One‐Dimensional Absorption Experiments
Author(s) -
Clothier B. E.,
Scotter D. R.,
Green A. E.
Publication year - 1983
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/sssaj1983.03615995004700040006x
Subject(s) - thermal diffusivity , sorptivity , saturation (graph theory) , function (biology) , mass diffusivity , similarity (geometry) , absorption of water , soil science , water content , absorption (acoustics) , mathematics , thermodynamics , environmental science , materials science , geology , physics , computer science , geotechnical engineering , optics , artificial intelligence , image (mathematics) , combinatorics , evolutionary biology , biology , composite material
Profiles of normalized volumetric soil water content, Θ, during one‐dimensional absorption are often found to provide a unique profile in terms of the Boltzmann similarity variable, λ. Traditionally, λ(Θ) data have been used to obtain the diffusivity‐water content function D (Θ) by the method of Bruce and Klute. This paper highlights the well‐known inadequacy of this method, and outlines a procedure for deriving D (Θ) by the fitting of a mathematical function to the primary experimental data set, namely λ(Θ). An analytical expression for D (Θ) scaled by sorptivity is provided. A function of the form (1‐Θ) p is shown to fit the λ(Θ) of a fine sand adequately and provide a D (Θ) function that accommodates the soil water diffusivity measured using other methods at near‐saturation.