KUKU

KU ScholarWorks

  • myKU
  • Email
  • Enroll & Pay
  • KU Directory
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Dissertations and Theses
    • Theses
    • View Item
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Dissertations and Theses
    • Theses
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Quantitative Metrics of Soil Structure and Relationships to Hydraulic Properties in a Vertic Argiudoll

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Eck_ku_0099M_13395_DATA_1.pdf (30.98Mb)
    Issue Date
    2014-05-31
    Author
    Eck, Dennis V.
    Publisher
    University of Kansas
    Format
    80 pages
    Type
    Thesis
    Degree Level
    M.S.
    Discipline
    Geography
    Rights
    This item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    Soil structure is a fundamental property referring to the morphology of soil aggregates and the network of void spaces between them. Structure affects many pedogenic, hydrological, and other ecosystem service processes. While its importance is generally recognized, the tortuous nature of soil structure and its variable size and expression make this property difficult to quantify, especially at the pit scale. The absence of quantitative soil structure metrics also inhibits the ability to accurately model water flux. This research explores the application of multistripe laser triangulation (MLT) scanning to a soil profile in the field. MLT scan data were analyzed for their ability to quantitatively characterize soil structure. The study site was located near Lawrence, KS in a Grundy soil series with vertic properties, where soil moisture sensors were installed in a lysimeter next to an exposed profile. Several logistical problems concerning MLT field operations and data processing are addressed in this work including: ambient light, MLT scanner positioning in relation to the soil surface, and post-processing procedures for the resulting data. MLT scans capture the profile surface along with areas of missing data, termed surface scan gaps (SSGs), which represent preferential flow paths (PFPs) actually observed in the soil. Metrics describing SSGs were first studied to determine whether the digital data could be related to conditions observed in the field. These metrics were then examined in relation to soil hydraulic parameters, especially saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) and water retention curve (WRC) parameters. Soil moisture data collected at the lysimeter, in conjunction with atmospheric data from an adjacent tower, were used as inputs for Hydrus 1-D to predict, then separately to verify hydraulic parameters that were obtained using quantitative soil structure metrics. Several close relationships were identified with WRC parameters such as α and n, as well as relationships with Ks. These connections, enabled by quantification of soil structure as a continuous rather than categorical variable through field-based measurements, present an opportunity to inform soil water flux models and advance the understanding of mechanisms underlying field-scale cycling of soil water.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/1808/14531
    Collections
    • Geography & Atmospheric Science Dissertations and Theses [184]
    • Theses [3828]

    Items in KU ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.


    We want to hear from you! Please share your stories about how Open Access to this item benefits YOU.


    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    Browse

    All of KU ScholarWorksCommunities & CollectionsThis Collection

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    The University of Kansas
      Contact KU ScholarWorks
    Lawrence, KS | Maps
     
    • Academics
    • Admission
    • Alumni
    • Athletics
    • Campuses
    • Giving
    • Jobs

    The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY.

     Contact KU
    Lawrence, KS | Maps