Measuring the Hydraulic Conductivity of Soil Horizons with Continuous Macropores

Abstract Measurement of K sat of soil horizons with continuous macropores is discussed. Different fluxes at grad H = 1 cm cm −1 and zero pressure head ranged from 2,000 to 10 cm day −1 in the B21g (clay) of a Typic Fluvaquent with vertical worm channels and from 20 to 1 cm day −1 in the Clg (compact sandy loam) of a Plaggeptic Haplaquod. Fluxes were obtained using (i) large detached columns ( K sat entire soil), (ii) columns that were attached to the subsoil, and (iii) detached columns with light crusts on top [ K sat of the soil matrix, which is referred to as K (sat) ].