WATER CONTENT AND BULK DENSITY CHANGES IN A SOIL PEDON MEASURED WITH DUAL ENERGY GAMMA-RAY TRANSMISSION

1 August 1974

journal article
Published by Canadian Science Publishing in Canadian Journal of Soil Science

Vol. 54 (3) , 325-328
https://doi.org/10.4141/cjss74-042

Abstract

Water contents and bulk densities were measured in a soil pedon with a gamma-ray transmission technique utilizing ¹³⁷Cs and ²⁴¹Am. By alternating the sources for each scan down the soil profile, both bulk density and water content were determined in 1-cm increments in the top 10 cm of the pedon. Bulk density decreased to a depth of 6 cm about 30 min after 4 cm of water was ponded on the soil surface. As soon as the water drained from the surface, bulk density values increased and approached pre-irrigation levels. Water content increased rapidly corresponding to the decrease in bulk density. Assuming that the bulk density remains constant during ponding, calculated water contents may be in error by as much as 0.25 gcm⁻³.

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