Open AccessNew Field Sampling Method to Analyze Spatial Distribution of Small‐Scale Soil Particle Surface Properties and Processes in Intact Soil
Author(s) -
Krueger Jiem,
Bachmann Jörg
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
vadose zone journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.036
H-Index - 81
ISSN - 1539-1663
DOI - 10.2136/vzj2017.06.0116
Subject(s) - topsoil , soil science , subsoil , sampling (signal processing) , geostatistics , spatial variability , environmental science , soil horizon , loam , spatial distribution , soil water , geology , remote sensing , mathematics , optics , statistics , physics , detector
Core Ideas New field sampling and preparation method for thin undisturbed soil slices was developed. Particle surface properties and processes can be determined at small scales. Millimeter‐scale spatial distribution of wetting properties determined by water drop contact angles. Geostatistics revealed different spatial correlation ranges for top‐ and subsoil. This study developed a field sampling and preparation method to obtain soil slices (7.5 by 20 by 3.5 cm, maximum seven parallel slices) with intact surfaces that allows analysis of surface properties and processes with high spatial resolution. In an example application, soil wetting properties (in terms of contact angle, CA) of sandy and loamy top‐ and subsoil slices were analyzed. Mapping of the CA (millimeter grid) revealed high variability (0–130°) for topsoil. Subsoil surfaces were wettable (0–5°), however, high CA (?70°) domains could be identified and associated with a textural boundary. Semivariances indicated higher heterogeneity and higher spatial correlation ranges for the topsoil. Results indicate that our approach allows the detection of small‐scale variations and is a promising tool to analyze surface properties with high spatial resolution on parallel soil slices.