Methods for studying the permeability of individual soil aggregates

B. M. McKenzie, A. R. Dexter

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    22 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Methods are described for measurement of the permeability to water and air of individual soil aggregates. The use of wax coatings as an external framework permits the application of water potential gradients or air-pressure gradients across exposed surfaces of the aggregates. Aggregates as small as 8 mm diameter are used. The applications are modifications of established techniques used to study flow through soil cores. Initial results from the flow properties for aggregates are compared with measurements on soil cores. The air permeabilities were greater than the water permeabilities probably because of air entrapment in the latter case. The permeabilities of soil cores were greater than those of the individual aggregates presumably because of the existence of preferential flow paths between the aggregates in the cores.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)23-28
    Number of pages6
    JournalJournal of Agricultural and Engineering Research
    Volume65
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Sept 1996

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Aquatic Science

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