Publication Date:
2014-08-12
Description:
The saturated hydraulic conductivity, K s , is a fundamental characteristic of subsurface flow and the hydrologic cycle. However, direct measurement of K s is time consuming. Recently, air permeability measurements at 50 and 100 cm of H 2 O tension, a relatively dry condition in coarse and medium-textured soils, have been used to estimate K s . In this short communication, we present a theoretical framework for relating K s to k a (), the air permeability as a function of porosity, , under completely dry conditions. We used power-law scaling from continuum percolation theory to develop a theoretical relationship between K s and k a (). Our result, similar in form to a published logarithmic equation with empirical coefficients, gives a physical interpretation to these empirical coefficients.
Electronic ISSN:
1539-1663
Topics:
Geosciences
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Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
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