scholarly journals Effluent flux prediction in variably saturated soil zones within a septic tank—soil absorption trench

Soil Research ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 44 (7) ◽  
pp. 677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cara D. Beal ◽  
Ted Gardner ◽  
David W. Rassam ◽  
Alison M. Vieritz ◽  
Neal W. Menzies
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Septic Tank ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Unsaturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Magnitude Variation ◽  
Limiting Surface ◽  
Underlying Soil

The treatment and hydraulic mechanisms in a septic tank–soil absorption system (SAS) are highly influenced by the clogging layer or biomat zone which develops on bottom and lower sidewall surfaces within the trench. Flow rates through the biomat and sub-biomat zones are governed largely by the biomat hydraulic properties (resistance and hydraulic conductivity) and the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of the underlying soil. One- and 2-dimensional models were used to investigate the relative importance of sidewall and vertical flow rates and pathways in SAS. Results of 1-dimensional modelling show that several orders of magnitude variation in saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) reduce to a 1 order of magnitude variation in long-term flow rates. To increase the reliability of prediction of septic trench hydrology, HYDRUS-2D was used to model 2-dimensional flow. In the permeable soils, under high trench loading, effluent preferentially flowed in the upper region of the trench where no resistant biomat was present (the exfiltration zone). By comparison, flow was more evenly partitioned between the biomat zones and the exfiltration zones of the low permeability soil. An increase in effluent infiltration corresponded with a greater availability of exfiltration zone, rather than a lower resistance of biomat. Results of modelling simulations demonstrated the important role that a permeable A horizon may play in limiting surface surcharge of effluent under high trench hydraulic loading.

scholarly journals Mineralogical, numerical and analytical studies of the coupled oxidation of pyrite and coal

2003 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 381-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. Evans ◽  
C. J. Gandy ◽  
S. A. Banwart
Keyword(s):  
Reactive Transport ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Pyrite Oxidation ◽  
Spoil Heap ◽  
Reaction Fronts ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Magnitude Variation ◽  
Discharge Chemistry ◽  
Analytical Expressions

Mineralogical, bulk and field leachate compositions are used to identify important processes governing the evolution of discharges from a coal spoil heap in County Durham. These processes are incorporated into a numerical one-dimensional advective-kinetic reactive transport model which reproduces field results, including gas compositions, to within an order of magnitude. Variation of input parameters allows the effects of incorrect initial assumptions on elemental profiles and discharge chemistry to be assessed. Analytical expressions for widths and speeds of kinetic reaction fronts are developed and used to predict long-term development of mineralogical distribution within the heap. Results are consistent with observations from the field site. Pyrite oxidation is expected to dominate O2 consumption in spoil heaps on the decadal timescale, although C oxidation may stabilize contaminants in effluents on the centennial scale.

Hyphal colonization of Rhizophagus irregularis increases unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of a loamy sand distant from roots

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Bitterlich ◽  
Richard Pauwels
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Volumetric Water Content ◽  
Rhizophagus Irregularis ◽  
Loamy Sand ◽  
Soil Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Unsaturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Soil Hydraulic ◽  
Root Exclusion

<p>Hydraulic properties of mycorrhizal soils have rarely been reported and difficulties in directly assigning potential effects to hyphae of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) arise from other consequences of AMF being present, i.e. their influence on growth and water consumption rates of their host plants that both also influence soil hydraulic properties.</p><p>We assumed that the typical nylon meshes used for root-exclusion experiments in mycorrhizal research can provide a dynamic hydraulic barrier. It is expected that the uniform pore size of the rigid meshes causes a sudden hydraulic decoupling of the enmeshed inner volume from the surrounding soil as soon as the mesh pores become air-filled. Growing plants below the soil moisture threshold for hydraulic decoupling would minimize plant-size effects on root-exclusion compartments and allow for a more direct assignment of hyphal presence to modulations in soil hydraulic properties.</p><p>We carried out water retention and hydraulic conductivity measurements with two tensiometers introduced in two different heights in a cylindrical compartment (250 cm³) containing a loamy sand, either with or without the introduction of a 20 µm nylon mesh equidistantly between the tensiometers. Introduction of a mesh reduced hydraulic conductivity across the soil volumes by two orders of magnitude from 471 to 6 µm d<sup>-1</sup> at 20% volumetric water content.</p><p>We grew maize plants inoculated or not with Rhizophagus irregularis in the same soil in pots that contained root-exclusion compartments while maintaining 20% volumetric water content. When hyphae were present in the compartments, water potential and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity increased for a given water content compared to compartments free of hyphae. These differences increased with progressive soil drying.</p><p>We conclude that water extractability from soils distant to roots can be facilitated under dry conditions when AMF hyphae are present.</p><p> </p>

scholarly journals Stabilization of soil hydraulic properties under a long term no-till system

2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 1281-1292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Alberto Lozano ◽  
Carlos Germán Soracco ◽  
Vicente S. Buda ◽  
Guillermo O. Sarli ◽  
Roberto Raúl Filgueira
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Water Retention Curve ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Tillage System ◽  
Crop Sequence

The area under the no-tillage system (NT) has been increasing over the last few years. Some authors indicate that stabilization of soil physical properties is reached after some years under NT while other authors debate this. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the last crop in the rotation sequence (1st year: maize, 2nd year: soybean, 3rd year: wheat/soybean) on soil pore configuration and hydraulic properties in two different soils (site 1: loam, site 2: sandy loam) from the Argentinean Pampas region under long-term NT treatments in order to determine if stabilization of soil physical properties is reached apart from a specific time in the crop sequence. In addition, we compared two procedures for evaluating water-conducting macroporosities, and evaluated the efficiency of the pedotransfer function ROSETTA in estimating the parameters of the van Genuchten-Mualem (VGM) model in these soils. Soil pore configuration and hydraulic properties were not stable and changed according to the crop sequence and the last crop grown in both sites. For both sites, saturated hydraulic conductivity, K0, water-conducting macroporosity, εma, and flow-weighted mean pore radius, R0ma, increased from the 1st to the 2nd year of the crop sequence, and this was attributed to the creation of water-conducting macropores by the maize roots. The VGM model adequately described the water retention curve (WRC) for these soils, but not the hydraulic conductivity (K) vs tension (h) curve. The ROSETTA function failed in the estimation of these parameters. In summary, mean values of K0 ranged from 0.74 to 3.88 cm h-1. In studies on NT effects on soil physical properties, the crop effect must be considered.

Soil structure, soil hydraulic properties and the soil water balance

Soil Research ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 265 ◽  
Author(s):  
HP Cresswell ◽  
DE Smiles ◽  
J Williams
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Water Balance ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Structure ◽  
Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Rainfall Regime ◽  
Soil Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Matric Potential ◽  
Moisture Characteristic

We review the influence of soil structural change on the fundamental soil hydraulic properties (unsaturated hydraulic conductivity and the soil moisture characteristic) and utilize deterministic modelling to assess subsequent effects on the soil water balance. Soil structure is reflected in the 0 to -100 kPa matric potential section of the soil moisture characteristic with marked changes often occurring in light to medium textured soils' (sands, sandy-loam, loams and clay-loams). The effect of long-term tillage on soil structure may decrease hydraulic conductivity within this matric potential range. The 'SWIM' (Soil Water Infiltration and Movement) simulation model was used to illustrate the effects of long-term conventional tillage and direct drilling systems on the water balance. The effects of plough pans, surface crusts and decreasing surface detention were also investigated. Significant structural deterioration, as evidenced by substantially reduced hydraulic conductivity, is necessary before significant runoff is generated in the low intensity rainfall regime of the Southern Tablelands (6 min rainfall intensity <45 mm h-1). A 10 mm thick plough pan (at a depth of 100 mm) in the A-horizon of a long-term conventionally tilled soil required a saturated hydraulic conductivity (K,) of less than 2.5 mm h-1 before runoff exceeded 10% of incident rainfall in this rainfall regime. Similarly, a crust K, of less than 2.5 mm h-1 was necessary before runoff exceeded 10% of incident rainfall (provided that surface detention was 2 or more). As the crust K, approached the rainfall rate, small decreases in Ks resulted in large increases in runoff. An increase in surface detention of 1 to 3 mm resulted in a large reduction in runoff where crust K, was less than 2-5 mm h-1. Deterministic simulation models incorporating well established physical laws are effective tools in the study of soil structural effects on the field water regime. Their application, however, is constrained by insufficient knowledge of the fundamental hydraulic properties of Australian soils and how they are changing in response to our land management.

Effect of plastic fragments on hydraulic characteristics of pretreated municipal solid waste

2006 ◽  
Vol 43 (12) ◽  
pp. 1333-1343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingliang Xie ◽  
Dirk Aldenkortt ◽  
Jean-Frank Wagner ◽  
Gerhard Rettenberger
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Flow ◽  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Municipal Solid Waste ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Thin Sheet ◽  
Biological Pretreatment ◽  
Soil Material

A systematic study was undertaken of the granular composition and hydraulic properties of municipal solid waste (MSW) produced by mechanical–biological pretreatment (MBP–MSW) from three different treatment plants with the aim of evaluating the potential application of MBP–MSW as an alternative barrier material for landfill final cover systems. Despite its coarse granular composition, MBP–MSW has low hydraulic conductivity. Long-term permeability tests show that the hydraulic conductivity decreases with time. The most likely explanation for the long-term changes in permeability is the swelling of organic material contained within the compost. In the case of saturated flow, the virtually impermeable plastic fragments embedded in the material impede fluid flow. In the unsaturated case, such fragments slow down the drying process by disrupting fluid flow and allowing pooling of water above horizontally oriented fragments. The larger the number and size of the plastic fragments, the greater the influence on hydraulic conductivity and shrinkage. These processes can be better understood with the newly developed conceptual model, the thin-sheet model. Based on this conceptual model, laboratory tests were undertaken to compare natural soil material with mixtures of soil material and plastic fragments. Corresponding numerical simulations of some experiments verified the influence of plastic fragments on the hydraulic properties of MBP–MSW.Key words: mechanical–biological pretreatment, municipal solid waste (MSW), thin-sheet model, plastic fragment, hydraulic conductivity, drying test.

HYDRAULIC PROPERTIES OF DISTURBED AND UNDISTURBED SOILS

1970 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 431-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. F. SHAYKEWICH
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Available Water ◽  
Unsaturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Direct Measurements ◽  
Undisturbed Soils ◽  
Reliable Procedure ◽  
Sample Disturbance ◽  
High Suction

Studies showed that sample disturbance influenced water retention, lower limit of available water and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity. Significant differences in water retention due to sample disturbance occurred more frequently at low than at high suction. Results showed that sample disturbance may influence unsaturated hydraulic conductivity by changing area of water flow and/or tortuosity. A modified Millington and Quirk method did not adequately predict measured hydraulic conductivity, in either disturbed or undisturbed soils. In view of theoretical objections to extension of capillary theory to the dry end of the available water range, and the relative ease of direct measurements, it is suggested that direct measurement is the only reliable procedure available.

scholarly journals An experimental approach for determining unsaturated hydraulic properties of rock fractures

2004 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hu Yunjin ◽  
Su Baoyu ◽  
Mao Genhai
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Capillary Pressure ◽  
Water Flow ◽  
Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Experimental Approach ◽  
Single Fracture ◽  
Rock Fractures ◽  
Unsaturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Connected Channels ◽  
Theoretical Saturation

An experimental approach for determining the unsaturated hydraulic properties (the relations between capillary pressure, saturation and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity) of rock fractures is developed and tested. Applying this approach to a single fracture, and with only water flowing, the capillary pressure–saturation and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity–capillary pressure relationships of the fracture during drainage and imbibition can be determined simultaneously. To facilitate the test of the validity of the experimental approach and to elucidate the characteristics of water flow in unsaturated fractures, an analogous fracture with parallel, connected channels of different apertures was fabricated. Experiments of unsaturated water flow in the analogous fracture were carried out. Some characteristics of water flow in unsaturated fractures (hysteresis between drainage and imbibition, etc.) were elucidated. Comparison of measured saturation values and theoretical saturation values corresponding to different apertures at the beginning of drainage and imbibition shows that the experimental approach presented in this paper is valid.

Physical properties of the mor layer in a Scots pine stand I. Hydraulic conductivity

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 627-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Laurén ◽  
J. Heiskanen
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Pinus Sylvestris ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Matric Potential ◽  
Unsaturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Undisturbed Samples ◽  
Constant Head ◽  
Humified Peat ◽  
Properties Of Soil

Hydraulic conductivity in the mor layer of a Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stand was measured in undisturbed samples using the constant-head permeameter and instantaneous-profile method. Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) averaged 2.9 × 102 m d−1. With a decrease in matric potential (ψ) from −4 kPa to −70 kPa the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity (K(ψ)) decreased from 3.1 × 10−3 to 1.1 × 10−8 m d−1. Ks and K(ψ) were similar to those reported in the literature for low-humified peat. The variation in hydraulic conductivity within a stand of Scots pine at a given matric potential was large, ranging from one to two orders of magnitude. Key words: F horizon, humus, hydraulic properties of soil

scholarly journals Effect of Chia Seed Mucilage on the Rhizosphere Hydraulic Characteristics

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3303
Author(s):  
Faisal Hayat ◽  
Mohanned Abdalla ◽  
Muhammad Usman Munir
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Water Retention Curve ◽  
Soil Drying ◽  
Retention Curve ◽  
Unsaturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Chia Seed

The rhizosphere is one of the major components in the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum which controls the flow of water from the soil into roots. Plant roots release mucilage in the rhizosphere which is capable of altering the physio-chemical properties of this region. Here, we showed how mucilage impacted on rhizosphere hydraulic properties, using simple experiments. An artificial rhizosphere, treated or not with mucilage, was placed in a soil sample and suction was applied to mimic the negative pressure in plant xylem. The measured water contents and matric potential were coupled with numerical models to estimate the water retention curve and hydraulic conductivity. A slower loss of water was observed in the treated scenario which resulted in an increase in water retention. Moreover, a slightly lower hydraulic conductivity was initially observed in the treated scenario (8.44 × 10−4 cm s−1) compared to the controlled one in saturated soil. Over soil drying, a relatively higher unsaturated hydraulic conductivity was observed. In summary, we demonstrated that mucilage altered the rhizosphere hydraulic properties and enhanced the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity. These findings improve our understanding of how plants capture more water, and postulate that mucilage secretion could be an optimal trait for plant survival during soil drying.

scholarly journals Impact of freeze–thaw cycles on soil structure and soil hydraulic properties

SOIL ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-191
Author(s):  
Frederic Leuther ◽  
Steffen Schlüter
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Soil Structure ◽  
Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Initial Structure ◽  
Soil Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Freeze Thaw ◽  
Frost Action ◽  
Unsaturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Soil Hydraulic ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. The ploughing of soils in autumn drastically loosens the soil structure and, at the same time, reduces its stability against external stresses. A fragmentation of these artificially produced soil clods during wintertime is often observed in areas with air temperatures fluctuating around the freezing point. From the pore perspective, it is still unclear (i) under which conditions frost action has a measurable effect on soil structure, (ii) what the impact on soil hydraulic properties is, and (iii) how many freeze–thaw cycles (FTCs) are necessary to induce soil structure changes. The aim of this study was to analyse the cumulative effects of multiple FTC on soil structure and soil hydraulic properties for two different textures and two different initial structures. A silt clay with a substantial amount of swelling clay minerals and a silty loam with fewer swell/shrink dynamics were either kept intact in undisturbed soil cores taken from the topsoil from a grassland or repacked with soil clods taken from a ploughed field nearby. FTCs were simulated under controlled conditions and changes in pore structure ≥ 48 µm were regularly recorded using X-ray µCT. After 19 FTCs, the impact on hydraulic properties were measured, and the resolution of structural characteristics were enhanced towards narrow macropores with subsamples scanned at 10 µm. The impact of FTC on soil structure was dependent on the initial structure, soil texture, and the number of FTCs. Frost action induced a consolidation of repacked soil clods, resulting in a systematic reduction in pore sizes and macropore connectivity. In contrast, the macropore systems of the undisturbed soils were only slightly affected. Independent of the initial structure, a fragmentation of soil clods and macro-aggregates larger than 0.8 to 1.2 mm increased the connectivity of pores smaller than 0.5 to 0.8 mm. The fragmentation increased the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of all treatments by a factor of 3 in by a factor of 3 in a matrix potential range of −100 to −350 hPa, while water retention was only slightly affected for the silt clay soil. Already 2 to 5 FTCs enforced a well-connected pore system of narrow macropores in all treatments, but it was steadily improved by further FTCs. The implications of fewer FTCs during milder winters caused by global warming are twofold. In ploughed soils, the beneficial seedbed consolidation will be less intense. In grassland soils, which have reached a soil structure in dynamic equilibrium that has experienced many FTCs in the making, there is still a beneficial increase in water supply through increasing unsaturated hydraulic conductivity by continued FTCs that might also be less efficient in the future.

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