Improving Water Properties to Increase Infiltration Characteristics
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Copyright © 1998 USCID - United States Committee on Irrigation and Drainage.
Abstract
Water properties, such as the viscosity and surface tension, can be affected by temperature and surfactants to Increase infiltration rates into soils. Specifically, they will change the hydraulic conductivity of the soil. A simple soap solution and the new material PAM (inexpensive polymer chemical) were evaluated as surfactants. Laboratory experiments and field tests on a site in Davis, California were done to quantify the effects of changing the water properties. Additional effects, like the improved soil structure during infiltration and less soil particles in tailwater (reduced erosion due to runoff) were observed and are described in this paper. The conclusions of this study are translated into suggestions for improved on-farm water use in furrows, sprinklers, and drip irrigation.
Suggested Citation
Richard W. O. Soppe and Stuart W. Styles. "Improving Water Properties to Increase Infiltration Characteristics" United States Committee on Irrigation and Drainage Conference Proceedings: Phoenix, AZ.. Jun. 1998.
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/sstyles/39