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Imhoff Cone Determination of Sediment in Irrigation Runoff

USDA-ARS Soil and Water Management Research Unit, 3793 N. 3600 E., Kimberly, ID 83341

* Corresponding author.

ABSTRACT

There is a need to rapidly quantify erosion from irrigated farmland. The prevailing method consists of collecting runoff samples, then filtering, drying, and weighing them to determine sediment concentration. Labor cost and slow data availability prompted development of a faster, less expensive technique. Sediment settling volume in a graduated vessel was expected to correlate well with total mass of suspended sediment. Eight soils varying in texture, mineralogy, and organic-matter content were sampled, fragmented, and air dried. A series of 1-L suspensions was prepared with sediment concentrations from 1 to 30 g L^–1. Samples were either hand shaken for 30 s or mechanically blended for 60 s. Suspensions were decanted into graduated Imhoff cones and allowed to settle for 0.5 h (1800 s). The series was repeated three times for each soil. Settling volume was regressed against sediment concentration (total sediment, g L^–1). Field calibrations for two soils were developed from furrow runoff samples. Laboratory regressions had a mean r² of 0.99. Field regressions of two soils had r² of 0.94 or higher. Cone design did not permit accurate volume estimates of the first 1 mL, causing slopes and intercepts to very among field regressions for sediment concentrations < 1.0 g L^–1. These samples, however, represent negligible erosion, and therefore have little value. Slope and intercept of field regressions corresponded closely to 30-s-shaken laboratory regressions but different statistically at P 0.05. The technique provided a rapid, inexpensive, and accurate suspended-sediment determination in the field for concentrations >1.0 g L^–1. Several settling-volume predictions based on textural components and organic-matter content had r² >0.60. Laboratory 30-s hand-shaken calibrations may be adequate for diagnostic purposes, but individual field calibrations should be performed for research purposes.

Received for publication May 6, 1991.

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