MEASUREMENT OF HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY AND DIFFUSIVITY FOR PREDICTING THE PROCESS OF SOIL WATER INFILTRATION FROM A TRICKLE SOURCE1

ABSTRACT: Two soil water functions, hydraulic conductivity K(θ) and diffusivity D(θ), were estimated by two methods In one method D(θ) was estimated according to Bruce and Klute (1956), and K(θ) was calculated from D(θ) and the retention curve. In the second, K(θ) was obtained by field estimation, with D(θ) being calculated from K(θ) and the retention curve. The criterion of reliability for both methods was agreement between experimental and predicted distribution of soil water content. The prediction was made using the functions K(θ) and D(θ) as soil water parameters in both methods. Theoretical and experimental agreement was generally good. The first method, however, was found to be best for high soil water content and the second for low soil water content. In addition, the water content at the end of the monotonic increase of function D(θ) (estimated according to Bruce and Klute 1956) was found to be about the upper limit of field soil water content. It can be used as a boundary condition in the numerical solution of a cylindrical model of infiltration from a trickle source. It was concluded that the best agreement between theory and experiment can be found when the combined values of D(θ) and K(θ) from both methods of estimation are used.     

VARIABILITY OF SOIL WATER PROPERTIES AND CROP YIELD IN A SLOPED WATERSHED1

ABSTRACT: Spatial distribution of soil and water properties and the correlations between them and crop yield were determined for a natural rainfall environment. Hydraulic conductivity, soil texture, water retention, and soil-water flux were variables used to investigate their relationship to crop yield using multiple regression techniques. Variations in crop yields on a watershed with a 3 to 4 percent slope and moderately erosive soils were related to soil-water characteristics and soil properties along slope and with depth. Climatic conditions to sustain crop growth and yield ranged from inadequate soil water in 1983 to adequate soil water in 1984. Crop yield was predicted with models using both available and measured soil-water content. Available water content provided a better model for the prediction of water yield and does not require field measurements of actual soil-water content. Soil water holding capacity was more significant for predicting crop yield in soils with moderate to high silt content than infiltrability of water into the soil.     

Tillage and field scale controls on greenhouse gas emissions

There is a lack of understanding of how associations among soil properties and management-induced changes control the variability of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from soil. We performed a laboratory investigation to quantify relationships between GHG emissions and soil indicators in an irrigated agricultural field under standard tillage (ST) and a field recently converted (2 yr) to no-tillage (NT). Soil cores (15-cm depth) were incubated at 25 degrees C at field moisture content and 75% water holding capacity. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified that most of the variation of the measured soil properties was related to differences in soil C and N and soil water conditions under ST, but soil texture and bulk density under NT. This trend became more apparent after irrigation. However, principal component regression (PCR) suggested that soil physical properties or total C and N were less important in controlling GHG emissions across tillage systems. The CO2 flux was more strongly determined by microbial biomass under ST and inorganic N content under NT than soil physical properties. Similarly, N2O and CH4 fluxes were predominantly controlled by NO3- content and labile C and N availability in both ST and NT soils at field moisture content, and NH4+ content after irrigation. Our study indicates that the field-scale variability of GHG emissions is controlled primarily by biochemical parameters rather than physical parameters. Differences in the availability and type of C and N sources for microbial activity as affected by tillage and irrigation develop different levels and combinations of field-scale controls on GHG emissions.     

PERCOLATE WATER AND BROMIDE MOVEMENT IN THE ROOT ZONE OF EFFLUENT IRRIGATION SITES1

ABSTRACT: A bromide tracer was used to evaluate percolate water and ion movement in the upper 1.2 m of soil at a proposed sewage effluent irrigation site located in the Missouri Ozarks. Two plots representing Doniphan silt loam and Crider silt loam soils were sprinkler irrigated with local ground water at a rate of 7.62 cm/week from June through August 1976. Soil water potential, percent soil moisture by volume, and background levels of bromide in soil water, ground water, and precipitation were measured at the study plots. Bromide exchange properties and saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soils were determined in the laboratory. During two selected time periods, irrigation water, was spiked with NaBr (5.0 mg/l Br). Bromide movement through the upper profile was quantified by soil water samples and post-sampling neutron activation analysis. Soil moisture was near saturatin in both soils when the Br tracer was applied. Bromide concentrations above background levels (0.023 mg/l Br, Doniphan silt loam and 0.016 mg/l Br, Crider silt loam) were detected within 2.60 hours at 0.9 m in the Doniphan soil and within 3.75 hours at that depth in the Crider soil. The rate of Br movement in the profile was greater in both soils than the measured saturated hydraulic conductivity, Bromide concentrations above background levels were present in soil water from the study plots for a minimum of 21 days after irrigation with the Br tracer.     

Long-term effect of a single application of organic refuse on carbon sequestration and soil physical properties

Restoration of degraded lands could be a way to reverse soil degradation and desertification in semiarid areas and mitigate greenhouse gases (GHG). Our objective was to evaluate the long-term effects of a single addition of organic refuse on soil physical properties and measure its carbon sequestration potential. In 1988, a set of five plots (87 m(2) each) was established in an open desert-like scrubland (2-4% cover) in Murcia, Spain, to which urban solid refuse (USR) was added in a single treatment at different rates. Soil properties were monitored over a 5-yr period. Sixteen years after the addition, three of the plots were monitored again (P0: control, P1: 13 kg m(-2), P2: 26 kg m(-2) of USR added) to assess the lasting effect of the organic addition on the soil organic carbon (SOC) pools and on the physical characteristics of the soil. The SOC content was higher in P2 (16.4 g kg(-1)) and in P1 (11.8 g kg(-1)) than in P0 (7.9 g kg(-1)). Likewise, aerial biomass increased from 0.18 kg m(-2) in P0 up to 0.27 kg m(-2) in P1 and 0.46 kg m(-2) in P2. This represents a total C sequestration of 9.5 Mg ha(-1) in P2 and 3.4 Mg ha(-1) in P1, most of the sequestered C remaining in the recalcitrant soil pool. Additionally, higher saturated hydraulic conductivity, aggregate stability, and available water content values and lower bulk density values were measured in the restored plots. Clearly, a single addition of organic refuse to the degraded soils to increase the potential for C sequestration was effective.     

REAL-TIME SOIL WATER MONITORING FOR OPTIMUM WATER MANAGEMENT1

Abstract: Efficient water resource management is one of the most important policy issues facing agriculture in Hawaii in the years ahead. Soil water sensors, multisensor capacitance probes (MCP), have been successfully used for different water management projects. These MCPs monitor water content at multiple depths and at various locations in real-time. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of water content on field soil bulk density of Wahiawa silty clay tropical soil; measure field saturated hydraulic conductivity of this tropical soil: calibrate MCP system for this soil: and monitor and evaluate real-time soil water content variations under a tomato crop using the calibrated MCP system. Sensor calibration was conducted under laboratory conditions. Soil bulk density at different water contents and saturated hydraulic conductivity were measured on the field. Bulk density increased with increasing water content: there was a 30 percent bulk density increase as a result of 0.25 cm³ cm^-3 water content variation. Compared with the manufacturer's calibration, site specific laboratory calibration of MCP gave a more accurate determination of soil water. Field determined saturated hydraulic conductivity was higher than laboratory determined values reported in the literature for the same soil type. Real-time soil water content monitoring within the root zone showed substantial variations due to water input (irrigation and rainfall) and water output (evapotranspiration and deep percolations). However, water content variations were much further reduced in the soil layer below the root zone.     

Fungicide leaching from golf greens: effects of root zone composition and surfactant use

Soil water repellency in golf putting greens may induce preferential "finger flow," leading to enhanced leaching of surface applied fungicides. We examined the effects of root zone composition, treatment with a non-ionic surfactant, and the use of the fungicide iprodion or a combination of azoxystrobin and propiconazole on soil water repellency, soil water content distributions, fungicide leaching, and turf quality during 1 yr. Soil water repellency was measured using the water drop penetration time (WDPT) test and tension infiltrometers. Our study was made on a 3-yr-old experimental green seeded with creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) 'Penn A-4' at Landvik in southeast Norway. The facility consists of 16 lysimeters with two different root zone materials: (i) straight sand (1% gravel, 96% sand, 3% silt and clay, 4 g kg(-1) organic matter) (SS) and (ii) straight sand mixed with garden compost to an organic matter content of 21 g kg(-1) (Green Mix [GM]). Surfactant treatment resulted in 96% lower average WDPTs at 1 cm depth, three times higher water infiltration rates at the soil surface, and reduced spatial variation in soil water contents. Fungicide leaching was close to zero for the GM lysimeters probably due to stronger sorption. Concentrations in the drainage water from SS lysimeters often exceeded surface water guideline values for all three fungicides, but surfactant treatment dramatically reduced fungicide leaching from these lysimeters. In autumn and winter, surfactant-treated plots were more infected with fungal diseases probably because of higher water content in the turfgrass thatch layer.     

Soil water repellency induced by long-term irrigation with treated sewage effluent

This study describes soil water repellency developed under prolonged irrigation with treated sewage effluent in a semiarid environment. Soil surface layer (0-5 cm) and soil profile (0-50 cm) transects were sampled at a high resolution at the close of the irrigation season and rainy winter season. Samples from 0- to 5-cm transects were subdivided into 1-cm slices to obtain fine scale resolution of repellency and organic matter distribution. Extreme to severe soil water repellency in the 0- to 5-cm soil surface layer persisted throughout the 2-yr study period in the effluent-irrigated Shamouti orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck cv. Shamouti] orchard plot. Nearby Shamouti orange plots irrigated with tap water were either nonrepellent or only somewhat repellent. Repellency was very variable spatially and with depth, appearing in vertically oriented "repellency tongues." Temporal and spatial variability in repellency in the uppermost 5-cm soil surface layer was not related to seasonality, soil moisture content, or soil organic matter content. Nonuniform distribution of soil moisture and fingered flow were observed in the soil profile after both seasons, demonstrating that the repellent layer had a persistent effect on water flow in the soil profile. A lack of correlation between bulk density and volumetric water content in the soil profile demonstrates that the observed nonuniform spatial distribution of moisture results from preferential flow and not heterogeneity in soil properties. Soil water repellency can adversely affect agricultural production, cause contamination of underlying ground water resources, and result in excessive runoff and soil erosion.     

The Effect of Water Harvesting Techniques on Runoff,Sedimentation, and Soil Properties

This study addressed the hydrological processes of runoff and sedimentation, soil moisture content, and properties under the effect of different water harvesting techniques (treatments). The study was conducted at three sites, representing environmental condition gradients, located in the southern part of the West Bank. For each treatment, the study evaluated soil chemical and physical properties, soil moisture at 30 cm depth, surface runoff and sedimentation at each site. Results showed that runoff is reduced by 65–85% and sedimentation by 58–69% in stone terraces and semi-circle bunds compared to the control at the semi-humid site. In addition, stone terraces and contour ridges significantly reduced the amount of total runoff by 80% and 73%, respectively, at the arid site. Soil moisture content was significantly increased by water harvesting techniques compared to the control in all treatments at the three study sites. In addition, the difference between the control and the water harvesting structures were higher in the arid and semi-arid areas than in the semi-humid area. Soil and water conservation, via utilization of water harvesting structures, is an effective principle for reducing the negative impact of high runoff intensity and subsequently increasing soil moisture storage from rainfall. Jessour systems in the valley and stone terraces were effective in increasing soil moisture storage, prolonging the growing season for natural vegetation, and decreasing the amount of supplemental irrigation required for growing fruit trees.     

Spatial extrapolation of soil characteristics using whole-soil particle size distributions

Soils support ecosystem functions such as plant growth and water quality because of certain physical, chemical, and biological properties. These properties have been studied at different spatial scales, including point scales to satisfy basic research needs, and regional scales to satisfy monitoring needs. Recently, soil property data for the entire USA have become available in the State Soil Geographic Data Base (STATSGO), which is appropriate for regional-scale research. We analyzed and created models of STATSGO data in this study to serve as a research tool, for example, for linking the soil to regional water quality monitoring data in our companion paper. Map units in STATSGO define geographic land areas by soil characteristics (SCs) of similar soil series. We selected 27 SCs that influenced water properties (in varying degrees), aggregated the layer and component SCs to map unit SCs, and used SCs to calculate relationships among map units. The relationships were defined by equations of conditional mean for the qth SC (SCq), while using the remaining 26 SCs as predictors. The relative standard errors for 22 of the 27 SCs were less than 10%, and less than 22% for the remaining five. We conclude that spatial extrapolation of SCs is feasible and the procedures are a first step toward extrapolating information across a region using SC-water property relationships. Although our procedure is for regional scale monitoring, it is also applicable to finer spatial scales commensurate with available soil data.     

A new method to quantify the impact of soil carbon management on biophysical soil properties: the example of two apple orchard systems in New Zealand

A new method to diagnose the environmental sustainability of specific orchard management practices was derived and tested. As a significant factor for soil quality, the soil carbon (C) management in the topsoil of the tree-row of an integrated and organic apple orchard was selected and compared. Soil C management was defined as land management practices that maintain or increase soil C. We analyzed the impact of the soil C management on biological (microbial biomass C, basal respiration, dehydrogenase activity, respiratory quotient) and physical (aggregate stability, amount of plant-available water, conductive mean pore diameter near water saturation) soil properties. Soil in the alley acted as a reference for the managed soil in the tree row. The total and hot-water-extractable C amounts served as a combined proxy for the soil C management. The soil C management accounted for 0 to 81% of the degradation or enhancement of biophysical soil properties in the integrated and organic system. In the integrated system, soil C management led to a loss of C in the top 0.3 m of the tree row within 12 yr, causing a decrease in microbial activities. In the tree row of the organic orchard, C loss occurred in the top 0.1 m, and the decrease in microbial activities was small or not significant. Regarding physical soil properties, the C loss in the integrated system led to a decrease of the aggregate stability, whereas it increased in the organic system. Generally, the impact of soil C management was better correlated with soil microbial than with the physical properties. With respect to environmental soil functions that are sensitive to the decrease in microbial activity or aggregate stability, soil C management was sustainable in the organic system but not in the integrated system.     

ARE SOILS LIKE SPONGES?1

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this paper is to explore the validity of the old analogy that “soil is like a sponge.” Laboratory experiments were conducted to measure two hydrologic properties of porous media: drainage under gravity, and water potential curves. A tipping bucket rain gage connected to a data logger was used to measure the rate at which water drained under the force of gravity from a trough filled with four saturated porous media ‐ cellulose sponges, topsoil, peat, and a medium sand. Pressure plate techniques were used to determine water potential curves for soil materials and sponges. In terms of relative cumulative discharge from the trough, sponges were intermediate between peat and topsoil. Because of their tremendous water‐holding capacity, sponges discharged more than 2.5 times as much water as did peat. The water potential curve for sponges was fairly flat, like that of topsoil, but the high water content across all pressures (0.30–15.0 bars) indicated some similarity to peat. The results of these experiments suggest that the general patterns of water retention and release in soil materials and sponges are similar and vary only in degree.     

Stochastic Transfer Function Model and Neural Networks to Estimate Soil Moisture1

Abstract: A practical methodology is proposed to estimate the three‐dimensional variability of soil moisture based on a stochastic transfer function model, which is an approximation of the Richard’s equation. Satellite, radar and in situ observations are the major sources of information to develop a model that represents the dynamic water content in the soil. The soil‐moisture observations were collected from 17 stations located in Puerto Rico (PR), and a sequential quadratic programming algorithm was used to estimate the parameters of the transfer function (TF) at each station. Soil texture information, terrain elevation, vegetation index, surface temperature, and accumulated rainfall for every grid cell were input into a self‐organized artificial neural network to identify similarities on terrain spatial variability and to determine the TF that best resembles the properties of a particular grid point. Soil moisture observed at 20 cm depth, soil texture, and cumulative rainfall were also used to train a feedforward artificial neural network to estimate soil moisture at 5, 10, 50, and 100 cm depth. A validation procedure was implemented to measure the horizontal and vertical estimation accuracy of soil moisture. Validation results from spatial and temporal variation of volumetric water content (vwc) showed that the proposed algorithm estimated soil moisture with a root mean squared error (RMSE) of 2.31% vwc, and the vertical profile shows a RMSE of 2.50% vwc. The algorithm estimates soil moisture in an hourly basis at 1 km spatial resolution, and up to 1 m depth, and was successfully applied under PR climate conditions.     

The influence of vegetation on sedimentation and resuspension of soil particles in small constructed wetlands

When initiatives to mitigate soil erosion are insufficient or fail, constructed surface flow wetlands (CWs) could be a final buffer to reduce pollution before reaching recipients. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of CW vegetation on the retention of soil particles from arable land. Retention was measured with water flow-proportional sampling systems in the inlet and outlet, sedimentation traps, and sedimentation plates in four small CWs over a period of 5 yr. The surface area of the CWs was 265 to 900 m2, and the average hydraulic loads were 1.2 to 3.4 m d(-1). Watershed areas were 0.5 to 1.5 km2. Annual soil particle retention was 30 to 80% or 14 to 121 kg m(-2). Results show that macrophytes stimulate sediment retention by mitigating resuspension of CW sediment. Five years after construction, resuspension had decreased approximately 40% and was negligible. As vegetation cover increases, the influence of macrophytes on soil particle retention reaches a level where other factors, such as hydraulic load and sediment load, were more important. Macrophytes increased the hydraulic efficiency by reducing short-circuit or preferential flow. However, vegetation did not have any influence on the clay concentration in the sediment. Hence, a possible stimulation of particle flocculation was not detected. Vegetation makes it possible to use the positive effect of a short particle settling distance in shallow ponds by hindering resuspension.     

INFILTRATION CAPACITY OF DISTURBED SOILS: TEMPORAL CHANGE AND LITHOLOGIC CONTROL1

ABSTRACT: The hydrologic character and response of disturbed land is controlled, to a large degree, by soil infiltration characteristics. Reconstructed soils on surface mines (minesoils) of different age (1 to 4 years old) are used to investigate infiltration rates on disturbed landscapes. The data consist of soil/surface properties and runoff volumes fit to the Horton infiltration equation. Infiltration rates on newly reclaimed minesoils are an order of magnitude lower than adjacent, undisturbed soil. Few significant correlations exist between soil/surface properties and infiltration parameters for newly reclaimed soils. However, the correlation between infiltration and minesoil characteristics increases with soil age. Multiple regressions are used to explore relationships between infiltration parameters and soil/surface properties for each soil age. Regression models of 30-min infiltration volume and the steady-state rate consistently include the percent silt and clay, slope, bulk density, and vegetation. Mean infiltration volumes at different mines are equal in the first year following reclamation, but become significantly different with surface age. The magnitude of the increase is controlled by the soil texture, vegetation, slope, and bulk density. Soil characteristics are determined ultimately by the overburden lithology and its effect on mineralogy and grain size during physical redistribution of soil particles and initial weathering.     

BLACK WILLOW CUTTING SURVIVAL IN STREAMBANK PLANTINGS,SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES1

Field studies were conducted on black willow (Salix nigra) cuttings planted for riparian zone restoration along Harland Creek, Twentymile Creek, and Little Topashaw Creek in Mississippi, USA. Planted cuttings were 2.5 to 3 m long and had base diameters of 2.5 to 7.5 cm. Streams were unstable, deeply incised sand bed channels with eroding banks 1 to 6 m high. Soil texture, redox potential (Eh), depth to water table, and willow survival were monitored for two to three years after planting. While many factors influence willow cuttings at restoration sites, soil texture and moisture are key to plant success. In these studies, plant survival and growth were best for cuttings planted in soils with less than 40 percent silt‐clay content and a water table 0.5 m to 1.0 m below the soil surface during the growing season. These conditions produced soil Eh greater than approximately 200 mV and were most often observed 1 to 2 m higher than the bank toe. These findings suggest criteria useful for preplanting site evaluations. Additional evidence suggests that preplanting soaking enhances performance of black willow cuttings. Additional factors (channel erosion, herbivory by beaver, and competition from exotics) may control performance over periods longer than two to three years.     

Changes in Soil Properties After Establishment of Artemisia halodendron and Caragana microphylla on Shifting Sand Dunes in Semiarid Horqin Sandy Land, Northern China

In the semiarid Horqin sandy land of northern China, establishment of artificial sand-fixing shrubs on desertified sandy lands is an effective measure to control desertification and improve the regional environment. Caragana microphylla Lam. and Artemisia halodendron Turcz. ex Bess. are two of the dominant native shrub species, which are adapted well to windy and sandy environments, and thus, are widely used in revegetation programs to control desertification in Horqin region. To assess the effects of artificially planting these two shrub species on restoration of desertified sandy land, soil properties and plant colonization were measured 6 years after planting shrubs on shifting sand dunes. Soil samples were taken from two depths (0–5 cm and 5–20 cm) under the shrub canopy, in the mid-row location (alley) between shrub belts, and from nonvegetated shifting sand dune (as a control). Soil fine fractions, soil water holding capacity, soil organic C and total N have significantly increased, and pH and bulk density have declined at the 0–5-cm topsoil in both C. microphylla and A. halodendron. At the 5–20 cm subsurface soil, changes in soil properties are not significant, with exception of bulk density and organic C concentration under the canopy of A. halodendron and total N concentration under the canopy of C. microphylla. Soil amelioration processes are initiated under the shrub canopies, as higher C and N concentrations were found under the canopies compared with alleys. At the same time, the establishment of shrubs facilitates the colonization and development of herbaceous species. A. halodendron proved to have better effects in fixing the sand surface, improving soil properties, and restoring plant species in comparison to C. microphylla.     

Soil fate of agricultural fumigants in raised-bed, plasticulture systems in the southeastern United States

Soil concentrations and degradation rates of methyl isothio-cyanate (MITC), chloropicrin (CP), 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D), and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) were determined under fumigant application scenarios representative of commercial raised bed, plastic mulched vegetable production systems. Five days after application, 1,3-D, MITC, and CP were detected at concentrations up to 3.52, 0.72, and 2.45 μg cm, respectively, in the soil atmosphere when applications were made in uniformly compacted soils with a water content >200% of field capacity and covered by a virtually impermeable or metalized film. By contrast, DMDS, MITC, and CP concentrations in the soil atmosphere were 0.81, 0.02, and 0.05 μg cm, respectively, 5 d after application in soil containing undecomposed plant residue, numerous large (>3 mm) clods, and water content below field capacity and covered by low-density polyethylene. Ranked in order of impact on the persistence of fumigants in soil were soil water content (moisture), soil tilth (the physical condition of soil as related to its fitness as a planting bed), the type of plastic film used to cover fumigated beds, and soil texture. Fumigants were readily detected 13 d after application when applied in uniformly compacted soils with water contents >200% of capacity and covered by a virtually impermeable or metalized film. By contrast, 1,3-D and MITC had dissipated 5 d after application in soils with numerous large (>3 mm) clods and water contents below field capacity that were covered by low-density polyethylene. Soil degradation of CP, DMDS, and MITC were primarily attributed to biological mechanisms, whereas degradation of 1,3-D was attributed principally to abiotic factors. This study demonstrates improved soil retention of agricultural fumigants in application scenarios representative of good agricultural practices.     

Influence of prairie restoration on CT-measured soil pore characteristics

Restored prairies are expected to improve soil physical properties, yet little is known about the extent of change to soil properties and how rapidly these changes take place. The objective of this study was to compare effects of prairie restoration on computed tomography (CT)-measured pore parameters. Undisturbed soil cores (76 mm diam. by 76 mm long) from native prairie (NP), restored prairie (RP), conservation reserve program (CRP), and no-till corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.; CS) sites were collected with six replicates from the 0- to 40-cm depth in 10-cm increments. Five CT images were acquired from each soil core using a medical CT scanner with 0.2 by 0.2 mm pixel resolution with 0.5 mm slice thickness, and then images were analyzed. Soil bulk density and hydraulic conductivity (K(sat)) were also measured. Soils under NP, RP, CRP, and CS areas had 83, 43, 48, and 26 pores on a 2500 mm(2) area, respectively, for the 0- to 40-cm depth. The number of pores, number of macropores (>1000 microm diam.), macroporosity, mesoporosity (200-1000 microm diam.), and fractal dimension were significantly higher and pore circularity was lower for NP, RP, and CRP than the CS treatment. The CT-measured mesoporosity and macroporosity of the CS treatment were 20 and 18% of the values for the NP site. CT-measured number of pores and macropores explained 43 and 40% of the variation for K(sat). The study showed that prairie restoration improves CT-measured soil pore parameters and decreases bulk density which are related to soil water infiltration.     

Transport and retention of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in sandy soils

A series of miscible-displacement experiments was conducted to examine the retention and transport behavior of oocysts in natural porous media. Three soils and a model sand were used that differed in physical and geochemical properties. Transport behavior was examined under various treatment conditions to help evaluate retention mechanisms. Significant retention of oocysts was observed for all media despite the fact that conditions were unfavorable for physicochemical interactions with respect to DLVO theory. The magnitude of retention was not influenced significantly by alterations in solution chemistry (reduction in ionic strength) or soil surface properties (removal of soil organic matter and metal oxides). On the basis of the observed results, it appears that retention by secondary energy minima or geochemical microdomains was minimal for these systems. The porous media used for the experiments exhibited large magnitudes of surface roughness, and it is suggested that this surface roughness contributed significantly to oocyst retention.