Lecture

Soil Water Content Measurement Methods

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In course

ENV-222: Soil sciences

Le cours est une introduction aux Sciences du sol. Il a pour but de présenter les principales caractéristiques, propriétés et fonctions des sols. Il fait appel à des notions théoriques mais également à des cas d'étude concrets à l'aide d'exercices et de tr ...

Description

This lecture covers the measurement of soil water content using indirect methods like neutron probe and dielectric methods, as well as direct methods such as the gravimetric method. It explains the process of determining water content, lime dosage, granulometry, and hydraulic conductivity. The lecture also discusses the limitations and advantages of the neutron probe and time domain reflectometry (TDR) methods, including the need for calibration and the influence of various factors on measurements. Additionally, it explores the principles of TDR, the advantages it offers in terms of accuracy and continuous measurements, and its applications in geotechnical and hydrological fields.

Instructors (3)

Géraldine Michèle Bullinger

Teaching & PhD Courses Soil sciences ENV-222 This course is an introduction to Soil Sciences, and it focuses on the main soil characteristics, properties, and functions. The teaching is based on theoretical concepts, exercises as well as field and computer experiments.

Gabriele Manoli

Teaching & PhD PhD Students Yuxin Yin, Marc Duran Sala, Guo-Shiuan Lin Courses Adventure on Planet B PENS-231 This course will take students on a cosmic journey and then back to Earth to reflect on planetary challenges and their solutions. Climate and water sensitive urban design ENV-526 This project-based course introduces students to the field of urban climate and hydrology, with a focus on nature-based solutions for the design of climate and water resilient cities. Soi

David Andrew Barry

Research InterestsSubsurface hydrology, constructed wetlands, ecological engineering, in particular contaminant transport and remediation of soil and groundwater; more generally, models of hydrological and vadose zone processes; application of mathematical methods to hydrological processes; coastal zone sediment transport, aquifer-coastal ocean interactions; hydrodynamics and modelling of lakes.

Official source

Related concepts (29)

Soil test

Soil test may refer to one or more of a wide variety of soil analysis conducted for one of several possible reasons. Possibly the most widely conducted soil tests are those done to estimate the plant-available concentrations of plant nutrients, in order to determine fertilizer recommendations in agriculture. Other soil tests may be done for engineering (geotechnical), geochemical or ecological investigations. In agriculture, a soil test commonly refers to the analysis of a soil sample to determine nutrient content, composition, and other characteristics such as the acidity or pH level.

Soil pH

Soil pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity (alkalinity) of a soil. Soil pH is a key characteristic that can be used to make informative analysis both qualitative and quantitatively regarding soil characteristics. pH is defined as the negative logarithm (base 10) of the activity of hydronium ions (H+ or, more precisely, H3O+aq) in a solution. In soils, it is measured in a slurry of soil mixed with water (or a salt solution, such as 0.01M CaCl2), and normally falls between 3 and 10, with 7 being neutral.

Soil fertility

Soil fertility refers to the ability of soil to sustain agricultural plant growth, i.e. to provide plant habitat and result in sustained and consistent yields of high quality. It also refers to the soil's ability to supply plant/crop nutrients in the right quantities and qualities over a sustained period of time. A fertile soil has the following properties: The ability to supply essential plant nutrients and water in adequate amounts and proportions for plant growth and reproduction; and The absence of toxic substances which may inhibit plant growth e.

Soil science

Soil science is the study of soil as a natural resource on the surface of the Earth including soil formation, classification and mapping; physical, chemical, biological, and fertility properties of soils; and these properties in relation to the use and management of soils. Sometimes terms which refer to branches of soil science, such as pedology (formation, chemistry, morphology, and classification of soil) and edaphology (how soils interact with living things, especially plants), are used as if synonymous with soil science.

Soil moisture

Soil moisture is the water content of the soil. It can be expressed in terms of volume or weight. Soil moisture measurement can be based on in situ probes (e.g., capacitance probes, neutron probes) or remote sensing methods. Water that enters a field is removed from a field by runoff, drainage, evaporation or transpiration.

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