We evaluate the application and investigate various formulae (and the associated parameter sensitivities) using the constant head well permeameter method to estimate field-saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) in a previously glaciated temperate landscape in the Scottish Borders where shallow soils constrain the depth of augering. In finer-textured soils, the Glover equation provided Kfs estimates nearly twice those of the Richards equation. For this environment, we preferred the Glover equation with a correction factor for the effect of gravity, which does not include soil capillarity effects because: (1) the low depth to diameter ratio of the auger holes (AH) required in the shallow stratified soils of temperate glaciated environment needs a correction for gravity; (2) the persistently moist environment and the use of long pre-wetting times before measurements seem to reduce the effect of soil capillarity; (3) the Richards equation is dependent on accurate α* values, but the measured AH intersected soil horizon boundaries that had different soil structure and texture, causing difficulty in selecting the most appropriate α* value; (4) when comparing the different solutions to estimate Kfs using the constant-head well permeameter method against the AH method and ponded permeameter measurements, the Glover solution with a correction for gravity gave the best comparable result in fine-textured soil.
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Research Article|
February 18 2014
A constant head well permeameter formula comparison: its significance in the estimation of field-saturated hydraulic conductivity in heterogeneous shallow soils
N. A. L. Archer;
1British Geological Survey, Murchison House, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3LA, Scotland, UK
2Previously at: UNESCO Centre, University of Dundee, Perth Road, Dundee DD1 4HN, Scotland, UK
E-mail: [email protected]
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M. Bonell;
M. Bonell
3UNESCO Centre, University of Dundee, Perth Road, Dundee DD1 4HN, Scotland, UK
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A. M. MacDonald;
A. M. MacDonald
1British Geological Survey, Murchison House, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3LA, Scotland, UK
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N. Coles
N. Coles
4Centre for Ecohydrology, University of Western Australia, 32 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009, Australia
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Hydrology Research (2014) 45 (6): 788–805.
Article history
Received:
September 25 2012
Accepted:
January 22 2014
Citation
N. A. L. Archer, M. Bonell, A. M. MacDonald, N. Coles; A constant head well permeameter formula comparison: its significance in the estimation of field-saturated hydraulic conductivity in heterogeneous shallow soils. Hydrology Research 1 December 2014; 45 (6): 788–805. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/nh.2014.159
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