<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

The Beerkan method consists of a ponded infiltration experiment from a single ring inserted a small depth into the soil. Fixed, small volumes of water are repeatedly poured into the ring to maintain a quasi-zero head on the soil surface. According to the standard Beerkan infiltration run, a new water volume is poured on the infiltration surface when the previously applied volume has completely infiltrated and the soil surface is entirely exposed to air (<italic>ta</italic> criterion). However, water could also be applied when the soil exposition to air begins (<italic>to</italic> criterion) or half the soil surface is exposed to air (<italic>tm</italic> criterion). The effect of the infiltration time criterion on determination of the water transmission properties of a sandy-loam soil was tested. As compared with the standard <italic>ta</italic> criterion, the two alternative criteria (<italic>to</italic>, <italic>tm</italic>) yielded higher and/or more variable estimates of soil water transmission properties. The saturated soil hydraulic conductivity, <italic>Ks</italic>, was the most sensitive property to the infiltration time criterion. However, statistically significant differences for <italic>Ks</italic> were not practically substantial since they did not exceed a factor of 1.7. Infiltration time effects likely occurred due to differences between ponding depth of water, soil water pressure head gradient, air entrapment and soil mechanical disturbance. The standard <italic>ta</italic> criterion was suggested for performing a Beerkan experiment in the field since it appears to yield the most reliable estimates of a mean value. However, the <italic>to</italic> criterion could be considered in dual permeability soils to maintain macropores active. Factors that could appear minor in the context of an experiment can have statistically relevant effects on water transmission properties.
</abstract>

The Beerkan method consists of a ponded infiltration experiment from a single ring inserted a small depth into the soil. Fixed, small volumes of water are repeatedly poured into the ring to maintain a quasi-zero head on the soil surface. According to the standard Beerkan infiltration run, a new water volume is poured on the infiltration surface when the previously applied volume has completely infiltrated and the soil surface is entirely exposed to air (ta criterion). However, water could also be applied when the soil exposition to air begins (to criterion) or half the soil surface is exposed to air (tm criterion). The effect of the infiltration time criterion on determination of the water transmission properties of a sandy-loam soil was tested. As compared with the standard ta criterion, the two alternative criteria (to, tm) yielded higher and/or more variable estimates of soil water transmission properties. The saturated soil hydraulic conductivity, Ks, was the most sensitive property to the infiltration time criterion. However, statistically significant differences for Ks were not practically substantial since they did not exceed a factor of 1.7. Infiltration time effects likely occurred due to differences between ponding depth of water, soil water pressure head gradient, air entrapment and soil mechanical disturbance. The standard ta criterion was suggested for performing a Beerkan experiment in the field since it appears to yield the most reliable estimates of a mean value. However, the to criterion could be considered in dual permeability soils to maintain macropores active. Factors that could appear minor in the context of an experiment can have statistically relevant effects on water transmission properties.

Water transmission properties of a sandy-loam soil estimated with Beerkan runs differing by the infiltration time criterion

Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences

Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The Beerkan method consists of a ponded infiltration experiment from a single ring inserted a small depth into the soil. Fixed, small volumes of water are...

Water transmission properties of a sandy-loam soil estimated with Beerkan runs differing by the infiltration time criterion

Published Online: May 21, 2021

Page range: 151 - 160

Received: Feb 13, 2021

Accepted: Apr 13, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/johh-2021-0010

Keywords
Soil water transmission properties, Beerkan run, Infiltration time criterion, BEST methodology

© 2021 Vincenzo Bagarello et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Water transmission properties of a sandy-loam soil estimated with Beerkan runs differing by the infiltration time criterion

Published Online: May 21, 2021

Page range: 151 - 160

Received: Feb 13, 2021

Accepted: Apr 13, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/johh-2021-0010

KeywordsSoil water transmission properties, Beerkan run, Infiltration time criterion, BEST methodology

© 2021 Vincenzo Bagarello et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Soil water transmission properties, Beerkan run, Infiltration time criterion, BEST methodology