Soil Moisture and Groundwater

Recharge

Porosity and Void Ratio

Water Content and Saturation

Ratio

1
Bulk Density and Particle Density

Porosity from Density

Example

2
Example

Example

Example

3
 Origin of Surface Tension
Water molecules in a
liquids interior are
attracted in all
directions…

Fig. 16.13

Origin of Surface Tension

Water molecules in a …whereas surface
liquids interior are molecules have a net
attracted in all inward attraction that
directions… results in surface tension…

Fig. 16.13

…that acts like a

membrane, allowing
objects to float.

Fig. 16.13

4
 Mass Movement Depends on
Water Content

Surface tension in
damp sand increases
cohesion

Fig. 16.13

Mass Movement Depends on

Water Content

Surface tension in Dry sand is

damp sand increases bound only by
cohesion friction

Fig. 16.13

Mass Movement Depends on

Water Content

Surface tension in Dry sand is Saturated sand

damp sand increases bound only by flows easily
cohesion friction because of
interstitial water
Fig. 16.13

5
 Capillary Forces

Capillary Forces

Measuring Pressure in Capillary

Fringe

6
 Soil Moisture Budget

Moisture Content Versus Time

Moisture Content Versus Time

7
Wilting Point and Field Capacity

Potential in Unsaturated Flow

K varies with moisture content

8
 Moisture Potential and Water
Content

Hysteresis: Path Dependence

Downward Movement of Water in

Unsaturated Zone

9
 Crossover Effect

Water Table Versus Season

Longer Term Trends

10
Discharge by Evapotranspiration

11