LO 3.4 - Hydraulic conductivity

Question 1

Question

What is Hydraulic Conductivity?

Soil Water

Answer 1

Hydraulic conductivity refers to the ease with which water can move through pore spaces.

Soil Water

Question 2

Question

How is Hydraulic Conductivity measured?

Soil Water

Answer 2

Hydraulic conductivity is measured in mm/hour or cm/hour.

Soil Water

Question 3

Question

Hydraulic conductivity depends on which three factors?

Soil Water

Answer 3

Hydraulic conductivity depends on:
* Pore size
* Distribution, how well the pores are connected together
* The amount of water in the soil.
*

Soil Water

Question 4

Question

What is the affect on Hydraulic conductivity if the soil has a lot of micropores containing air?

Soil Water

Answer 4

If the soil has a lot of micropores containing air, water will move slowly so the hydraulic conductivity will be low.

Soil Water

Question 5

Question

What is the affect on Hydraulic conductivity if the soil has a lot of macropores containing water?

Soil Water

Answer 5

• If there are a lot of macropres containing water, the water will move more quickly so hydraulic conductivity will be higher.
• Sandy soils have a higher hydraulic conductivity than clay soils.

Soil Water

Question 6

Question

What effect has Compaction got on Hydraulic conductivity?

Soil Water

Answer 6

• By destroying the macropores, compaction reduces hydraulic conductivity.
• If hydraulic conductivity is too low, soils become prone to waterlogging. This has a negative effect on root growth and also prevents the normal functioning of soil organisms including earthworms.

Soil Water