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Influence of Water Content on Electrical Conductivity of the Soil¹

ABSTRACT

Measurement of dynamic salinity and water content profiles under laboratory conditions were needed to test a model developed to characterize the simultaneous flow of water and salts in soils. Methods were needed for measuring salinity in place in a system where rapid water movement occurred. Because of the time lag in salinity sensors, other methods were considered for evaluating salinity.

The four-probe system of measuring electrical conductivity of soil eliminates the time lag error, but introduces the problem of correcting the changes in conductivity caused by water content. Units were constructed and samples prepared to evaluate the influence of water content, and salt concentrations on the four-probe conductivity (K4P). Two soils were studied. Regression equations developed to estimate saturation or 1:5 extract electrical conductivity from four-probe conductivity and water content () gave correlation coefficients of 0.75 and 0.90, respectively. Correlations for individual soils were generally higher than the combined soils. The regression equation relating the ratio of K4P to four-probe conductivity at saturation (K 4PS) with water content was 4K4P/K4PS = – 0.26 + 2.49 with a correlation coefficient of 0.88 for the combined soil data.

¹ Contribution from the Dep. of Soil Sci. and Biometeorology, Utah Agr. Exp. Sta., Logan, Utah 84321. Journal paper no. 1238. Supported in part by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, US Government.

² Research Assistant and Professor, respectively.

Received for publication March 8, 1972. Accepted for publication June 16, 1972.

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