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ARS Home » Northeast Area » University Park, Pennsylvania » Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #240372
Title: Experimental System for Simulating a Natural Soil Temperature Profile during Freeze-thaw Cycles

Author
item WILLIAMS, MARK - Pennsylvania State University
item Feyereisen, Gary
item Folmar, Gordon

Submitted to: ASABE Annual International Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/21/2009
Publication Date: 6/24/2009
Citation: Williams, M.R., Feyereisen, G.W., Folmar, G.J. 2009. Experimental System for Simulating a Natural Soil Temperature Profile during Freeze-thaw Cycles. ASABE Annual International Meeting. Paper No. 096281.

Interpretive Summary: An interpretive summary is not required.

Technical Abstract: In order to better assess the effects of freeze-thaw cycles on soil physical properties, water and contaminant transport, and microbial activity, a simple experimental soil thermal cycling system was developed. The system consisted of an insulated bin containing four cylindrical PVC lysimeters encased in sand, with a commercially-available heating cable located in the bottom of the sand mass. The heating cable created an upward heat flux representative of heat flow in soil under field conditions. In order to test the system, the sand-soil temperature at the bottom of the bin was set at a range of 0 to 5 deg C in 1 deg C increments. Observed hourly temperatures as well as soil temperature gradients and freezing and thawing rates are reported for three freeze-thaw cycles. The experimental system was successful in reproducing a natural vertical temperature profile in the soil and minimizing large fluctuations in subsurface soil temperatures relative to changes in air temperature.