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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #180847
Title: SCALING OF KOSTIAKOV INFILTRATION EQUATION PARAMETERS ACROSS SOIL TEXTURAL CLASSES

Author
item Kozak, Joseph
item Ahuja, Lajpat

Submitted to: Soil Science Society of America Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/10/2005
Publication Date: 10/31/2005
Citation: Kozak, J.A., Ahuja, L.R. 2005. Scaling of kostiakov infiltration equation parameters across soil textural classes. Soil Science Society of America Annual Meeting.

Interpretive Summary: Recently, results with an empirically based one-parameter model showed that the pore-size distribution index (lambda) described in the Brooks and Corey formulation of soil hydraulic properties can scale water infiltration across dissimilar soils. This study furthers this relationship by examining how lambda and saturated hydraulic conductivity relate to the Kostiakov infiltration parameters across soil textural classes. The Root Zone Water Quality Model simulated infiltration for five rainfall intensities and two initial pressure heads for five hours. The Kostiakov equation describes all the simulation data very well. The infiltration parameter results across textural classes were related by explicit functions of lambda and saturated hydraulic conductivity for different ponding conditions, i.e. instantaneous and non-instantaneous. These functions can be used to approximately estimate the parameters and infiltration across soil types for other soils and conditions by interpolation. This study enhances our understanding of the soil water relationships among soil textural classes.

Technical Abstract: Recently, results with an empirically based one-parameter model showed that the pore-size distribution index (lambda) described in the Brooks and Corey formulation of soil hydraulic properties can scale water infiltration across dissimilar soils. This study furthers this relationship by examining how lambda and saturated hydraulic conductivity relate to the Kostiakov infiltration parameters across soil textural classes. The Root Zone Water Quality Model simulated infiltration for five rainfall intensities and two initial pressure heads for five hours. The Kostiakov equation describes all the simulation data very well. The infiltration parameter results across textural classes were related by explicit functions of lambda and saturated hydraulic conductivity for different ponding conditions, i.e. instantaneous and non-instantaneous. These functions can be used to approximately estimate the parameters and infiltration across soil types for other soils and conditions by interpolation. This study enhances our understanding of the soil water relationships among soil textural classes.