Sprinkler Irrigation Effects on Infiltration and Near-Surface Unsaturated Hydraulic Conductivity

2010 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 397-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Lehrsch ◽  
D. C. Kincaid
1998 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1093-1100 ◽  
Author(s):  
J R McDougall ◽  
I C Pyrah

Transient responses to various infiltration events have been examined using an unsaturated flow model. Numerical simulations reveal a range of infiltration patterns which can be related to the ratio of infiltration rate to unsaturated hydraulic conductivity. A high value of this ratio reflects a prevailing hydraulic conductivity which cannot readily redistribute the newly infiltrated moisture. Moisture accumulates in the near-surface region before advancing down through the soil as a distinct wetting front. In contrast, low values of the ratio of rainfall to unsaturated hydraulic conductivity show minimal moisture accumulation, as the relatively small volumes of infiltrating moisture are readily redistributed through the soil profile.Key words: numerical modelling, infiltration, unsaturated soil, soil suction, groundwater.


2015 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karsten Schacht ◽  
Bernd Marschner

Abstract The use of treated wastewater (TWW) for agricultural irrigation becomes increasingly important in water stressed regions like the Middle East for substituting fresh water (FW) resources. Due to elevated salt concentrations and organic compounds in TWW this practice has potential adverse effects on soil quality, such as the reduction of hydraulic conductivity (HC) and soil aggregate stability (SAS). To assess the impact of TWW irrigation in comparison to FW irrigation on HC, in-situ infiltration measurements using mini disk infiltrometer were deployed in four different long-term experimental orchard test sites in Israel. Topsoil samples (0-10 cm) were collected for analyzing SAS and determination of selected soil chemical and physical characteristics. The mean HC values decreased at all TWW sites by 42.9% up to 50.8% compared to FW sites. The SAS was 11.3% to 32.4% lower at all TWW sites. Soil electrical conductivity (EC) and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) were generally higher at TWW sites. These results indicate the use of TWW for irrigation is a viable, but potentially deleterious option, as it influences soil physical and chemical properties.


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