Managing Global Resources for a Secure Future

2017 Annual Meeting | Oct. 22-25 | Tampa, FL

279-14 Soil Thermal Property Values As a Function of Water Content and Bulk Density.

Poster Number 1249

See more from this Division: SSSA Division: Soil Physics and Hydrology
See more from this Session: Soil Physics and Hydrology Division Student Competition, Part 2 - Posters

Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Tampa Convention Center, East Exhibit Hall

Bing Tong1, Dilia Kool2, Ohene Akuoko1, Joshua L. Heitman3, Thomas J. Sauer4 and Robert Horton1, (1)Agronomy Department, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
(2)2104 Agronomy Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
(3)Campus Box 7619, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
(4)USDA-ARS National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment, Ames, IA
Abstract:
Soil thermal properties play an important role in soil heat and mass transfer. Thermal properties change as a function of water content and bulk density, the latter being particularly relevant in recently tilled soils. An increase in soil bulk density is associated with smaller saturated volumetric heat capacity and larger saturated thermal conductivity. The objective of this study is to measure soil thermal properties as a function of water content and bulk density. A central Iowa glacial till field site was rototilled to decrease surface layer bulk density and kept bare during subsequent natural wetting and drying cycles. Rainfall tended to cause soil consolidation and increase soil bulk density. Following each rainfall event, undisturbed soil cores were collected and transported to the laboratory for measurements of thermal properties at controlled water content values. A heat pulse sensor was used to measure soil thermal properties at saturated and oven-dry conditions, as well as at water contents corresponding to -50 kPa matric potential. Soil thermal diffusivity, volumetric heat capacity and thermal conductivity did vary as a function of water content and bulk density.

See more from this Division: SSSA Division: Soil Physics and Hydrology
See more from this Session: Soil Physics and Hydrology Division Student Competition, Part 2 - Posters