A Comparison and Validation of Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity Models

Abstract

Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) is fundamental to shallow groundwater processes. There is an ongoing need for observed and model validated Ksat values. A study was initiated in a representative catchment of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed in the Northeast USA, to collect observed Ksat and validate five Ksat pedotransfer functions. Soil physical characteristics were quantified for dry bulk density (bdry), porosity, and soil texture, while Ksat was quantified using piezometric slug tests. Average bdry and porosity ranged from 1.03 to 1.30 g/cm3 and 0.51 to 0.61, respectively. Surface soil (0–5 cm) bdry and porosity were significantly (p < 0.05) lower and higher, respectively, than deeper soils (i.e., 25–30 cm; 45–50 cm). bdry and porosity were significantly different with location (p < 0.05). Average soil composition was 92% sand. Average Ksat ranged from 0.29 to 4.76 m/day and significantly differed (p < 0.05) by location. Four models showed that spatial variability in farm-scale Ksat estimates was small (CV < 0.5) and one model performed better when Ksat was 1.5 to 2.5 m/day. The two-parameter model that relied on silt/clay fractions performed best (ME = 0.78 m/day; SSE = 20.68 m2/day2; RMSE = 1.36 m/day). Results validate the use of simple, soil-property-based models to predict Ksat, thereby increasing model applicability and transferability.

Evaluation and Development of Pedotransfer Functions for Predicting Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity for Mexican Soils

“…EF greater or equal to 0.5 indicated high performance for the evaluated PTFs. The PTF that has the highest EF value was the best performing function [8,21].…”

Hydrogeophysical Assessment of the Critical Zone below a Golf Course Irrigated with Reclaimed Water close to Volcanic Caldera

“…Hydraulic conductivity is the key factor of water flow through the substrate and it is affected by in-situ structure and pore volume [34]. Particularly, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) is used to describe the movement of water through saturated soils and is a critical component in a resource management decision such as water conservation and irrigation systems [35]. Saturated hydraulic conductivity has been measured from undisturbed representative soils samples and volcanic deposits taken directly from selected outcrops.…”

Integrated Water Resources Research: Advancements in Understanding to Improve Future Sustainability

“…Further, increased water consumption by human activities was largely mitigated by evapotranspiration savings from deforestation, a practice that can no longer be sustained. Finally, Gootman et al [16] conducted a study validating five saturated hydraulic conductivity (K sat ) pedotransfer functions in a catchment of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, Northeast United States. The study showed that dry bulk density and porosity were significantly different by location (p < 0.05) and four different models corroborated that spatial variability in farm-scale K sat estimates was small (CV < 0.5), thereby validating the use of simple, soil-property-based models to predict K sat , thereby increasing model applicability and transferability.…”