Comparison of common methods to quantify field saturated hydraulic conductivity in glacial till soils of Northeastern United States

Abstract

Characterizing field-saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_fs) in soil is important because K_fs data are needed for a variety of applications. However, different K_fs measurement methods often yield vastly different results. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of five methods to detect variations in measured K_fs across land use in glacial till soils. We compared the lab intact core method with four in-field methods, including the compact constant head well permeameter (Amoozemeter) and three single-ring infiltrometers: Cornell sprinkle infiltrometer, dual-head infiltrometer (SATURO), and a consistent head single-ring infiltrometer. Ten plots were established along a transect in six field sites with varying land uses (forest, corn [Zea mays L.], hay, vegetable, and turf). One measurement was taken per plot for each method. Overall, K_fs estimates from the Amoozemeter were consistently lower than those from field infiltrometers. All methods revealed higher surface K_fs in the forest than the intensively cultivated sites; however, the Amoozemeter and the ring-based methods revealed different K_fs patterns among managed sites. Despite differences in water application procedures, the field infiltrometers produced similar K_fs estimates, suggesting their interchangeability in applications for assessing land use and management impacts on surface K_fs in glacial till soils.