Recently, Hilhorst (2000) presented a theoretical model describing a linear relationship between bulk electrical conductivity, o0, and dielectric constant, K„, in moist soil. Hilhorst (2000) found that using this linear relationship, measurements of the pore water electrical conductivity, ap, can be made in a wide range of soil types without soil-specific calibrations. If accurate measurements ...

In soils, colloidal transport has been identified as the most important pathway for strong adsorbing, environmental contaminants like pesticides, heavy metals, and phosphorus. We conducted a comparative dye tracer experiment using a Brilliant Blue (BB) solution and a Titanium(IV) oxide (TiO) colloid suspension (average particle size 0.3 μm), aiming to visualize and quantify colloid pathways in ...

Soil structure is developed across a wide range of scales including pores of different origin and herewith different size and shape. At larger scales soil structure is expressed in a heterogeneous distribution of local bulk densities. X-ray tomography is a suitable tool to measure and visualize this hierarchical structure at various scales and resolutions. However, because of the wide range of ...

(1) It becomes increasingly evident that continued root growth with the establishment of new root-soil contacts is necessary for the normal entrance of both water and mineral nutrients into the root. This concept emphasizes the ecological importance of factors tending either to impede or favor the spread and permeation of roots in the soil. (2) The characteristics of soils with respect to (1) a...

The spatial organisation of soils is crucially important in affecting belowground function, and the associated delivery of ecosystem services. Fungi constitute an important part of the soil biomass. As well as playing key roles in nutrient cycling and biotic interactions, they are also intimately involved in soil structural dynamics. Fungi mediate the formation of soil structure at a variety of...

Electrokinetic remediation technology is one of the developing technologies that offers great promise for the cleanup of soils contaminated with heavy metals. However, the performance of an electrokinetic remediation system depends on the interaction of a complex set of interrelated system variables and parameters. Many of these interactions were addressed in this study by incorporating geochem...

One of most important problems in soil thermodynamics is related to soil water hysteresis , which arises mainly from differences in the processes of emptying and filling individual pores during wetting and drying. In a minesoil coming from excavations, amended with six different types of sewage sludge (composted or thermally dried), it was observed that the critical point (c, wc) that separate...

A series of centrifuge liquefaction tests have been conducted at C-CORE’s geotechnical centrifuge facility: two on variable soil and one on uniform soil deposits. A single storied frame structure resting on two strip footings was also placed on that soil deposit. Experimental results such as accelerations, excess pore water pressures (EPWP) and settlements were monitored throughout the tests. R...

Brassica cover crops are new to the mid-Atlantic region, and limited information is available on their N uptake capabilities for effective N conservation. Forage radish (Raphanus sativus L. cv. Daikon), oilseed radish (Raphanus sativus L. cv. Adagio), and rape (Brassica napus L. cv. Dwarf Essex) were compared with rye (Secale cereale L. cv. Wheeler), a popular cover crop in the region, with reg...