Analytical Methods

Physical Properties: Porosity

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Soil porosity refers to that part of a soil volume that is not occupied by soil particles or organic matter. Pore spaces are filled with either air, other gases, or water. Large pores (macropores) allow the ready movement of air and the drainage of water. They are also large enough to accommodate plant roots and the wide range of tiny animals that inhabit the soil. Large pore spaces permit fast infiltration and percolation of water through a soil or soil horizon. Small pores (micropores) exhibit attractive forces strong enough to hold water in the pore. They are the water retention system of the soil which provides water storage for plant roots. During precipitation, macropores conduct water into the soil where it fills the micropores. At field capacity all pores small enough to retain water against the pull of gravity are filled (Brady and Weil, 1999; Munshower, 1994). Clay soils have numerous micropores and hold large quantities of water, but since they have few macropores they produce very slow infiltration rates. The pores in the clays may be so small and hold water so tenaciously that the water is not available to plants. Sandy soils with numerous macropores but few micropores have higher infiltration and percolation rates but a lower water-holding capacity than other soil textures. A lower water-holding capacity can mean less available water for plant roots. For revegetation purposes, plants perform best in intermediate soil textures (loams) where soils contain mixtures of microand macropores (Munshower, 1994).

Permeability

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Just as the porosity of a soil affects how much water it can hold, it also affects how quickly water can flow through the soil. The ability of water to flow through a soil is referred to as the soil's permeability. As you can probably guess, the permeability of gravel is higher than that of clay. But can you guess how much higher? Click the button below to see how long it might take water to travel 1 meter in different soil types....

Definition: The ability of water to flow through a soil is referred to as the soil's permeability. As you can probably guess, the permeability of gravel is higher than that of clay.

Permeability is typically determined in the lab by application of Darcy's law under steady state conditions or, more generally, by application of various solutions to the diffusion equation for unsteady flow conditions. Examples: The greater the permeability, the more rapidly the liquid could reach an underground soil layer.

The term soil consistency is used to describe the resistance of a soil at various moisture contents to mechanical stresses or manipulations. It is commonly measured by feeling and manipulating the soil by hand or by pulling a tillage instrument through it. The consistency of soils is generally described at three soil moisture levels: wet, moist and dry. Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_soil_consistency#ixzz26yYcrFQD

Infiltration
What it is: Infiltration is the downward entry of water into the soil. The velocity at which water enters the soil is infiltration rate. Infiltration rate is typically expressed in inches per hour. Water from rainfall or irrigation must first enter the soil for it to be of value. Why it is important: Infiltration is an indicator of the soils ability to allow water movement into and through the soil profile. Soil temporarily stores water, making it available for root uptake, plant growth and habitat for soil organisms. Specific problems that might be caused by poor function: When water is supplied at a rate that exceeds the soils infiltration capacity, it moves downslope as runoff on sloping land or ponds on the surface of level land. When runoff occurs on bare or poorly vegetated soil, erosion takes place. Runoff carries nutrients, chemicals, and soil with it, resulting in decreased soil productivity, off-site sedimentation of water bodies and diminished water quality. Sedimentation decreases storage capacity of reservoirs and streams and can lead to flooding. Restricted infiltration and ponding of water on the soil surface results in poor soil aeration, which leads to poor root function and plant growth, as well as reduced nutrient availability and cycling by soil organisms. Ponding and soil saturation decreases soil strength, destroys soil structure, increases detachment of soil particles, and makes soil more erodible. On the soil surface rather than in the soil profile, ponded water is subject to increased evaporation, which leads to decreased water available for plant growth.