HR: 10:20h
AN: H32B-01    [Abstracts]
TI: Validation of Rivulet Approach to Infiltration in Sand Boxes Using Neutron- Radiography
AU: * Hincapie, I A
EM: hincapie@giub.unibe.ch
AF: University of Bern, Department of Geography, Soil Science Section, Hallerstrasse 12, Bern, 3012, Switzerland
AU: Germann, P
EM: germann@giub.unibe.ch
AF: University of Bern, Department of Geography, Soil Science Section, Hallerstrasse 12, Bern, 3012, Switzerland
AU: Vontobel, P
EM: peter.vontobel@psi.ch
AF: Paul Scherrer Institute, Neutronradiography Division ASQ, PSI, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
AU: Hassanein, R
EM: rene.hassanein@psi.ch
AF: Paul Scherrer Institute, Neutronradiography Division ASQ, PSI, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
AB: Rivulets (i.e., tiny water streaks) are considered the basic units of preferential infiltration. Rivulet approach is based on the hypothesis that flow shows continuous features. Rivulet approach was applied to simulate flow process. We used Neutron Radiography (NR) as a tool to monitor the infiltration-drainage process in sand boxes. Through a series of image analysis procedures, continuity/discontinuity of flow and saturation were analyzed. Sand of three different grain size (>0.2mm, >0.5mm and >1.0mm) was packed in aluminium sample holders (40x20x0.5-1.0cm). Irrigation experiments and series of radiograms were carried out in air dried samples and in samples which were equilibrated with water and deuterium prior to the experiments. We report soil moisture variations during and after infiltration, velocity of wetting fronts, the impact of the rate of infiltration on type of flow and exchange between deuterium and water. Questions whether wetting front velocities in the sand boxes, minimum water contents and the geometry of flow represent features of preferential flow will be discussed.
DE: 1865 Soils (0486)
DE: 1875 Vadose zone
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: 2007 Joint Assembly