Physical and Mineralogical Data to Determine Soil Hydraulic Properties

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Abstract
A study was conducted to determine relationships among physical, mineralogical, and soil hydraulic properties of Ultisols developed in unconsolidated sediments of the Lower Coastal Plain. Soil water retention curves, saturated hydraulic conductivity, bulk density, quantitative mineralogy, surface area, and particle size distribution were determined by horizon for seven pedons and relationships among them were analyzed by regression analysis procedures. Fine sand, sand and clay percentages were highly correlated with saturated hydraulic conductivity, surface area and volumetric water contents at specific pressure heads. Correlation coefficients > 0.95 were obtained for regression equations estimating soil water retention curves from particle size data. These relationships can be useful for quick characterization of soil hydraulic properties from particle size distribution data. No significant correlations were found between soil hydraulic and mineralogical properties of the clay fraction.