INFILTRATION AND

PERCOLATION: PROCESSES
AND MEASUREMENT

Reporter: Cris Artleigh V. Orejuela

INFILTRATION:

Infiltration refers to the downward entry or

movement of water into the soil surface
 It is a surface characteristic and hence primarily
influenced by the condition of the surface soil.
Soil surface with vegetative cover has more infiltration
rate than bare soil
Warm soils absorb more water than colder ones.
Coarse surface texture, granular structure and high
organic matter content in surface soil, all help to
increase infiltration
Infiltration rate is comparatively lower in wet soils than
dry soils
Factors affecting infiltration

Clay minerals
Soil Texture
Soil structure
Moisture content
Vegetative cover
Topography
INFILTRATION PROCESSES

Infiltration-capacity decreases rapidly due to following

processes:

Packing of the soil-surface by rain;

Swelling of the soil, thus closing sun-checks and other openings;
In washing of fine materials to the soil surface openings.
After rain ends, restoration of the infiltration capacity begins.
Wind-action and differential temperatures close to the soil surface
aid in reopening the soil-pores, shrinkage of colloids takes place,
perforations of earthworms and insects are restored, and the
infiltration-capacity returns to its maximum value usually within a
period of a day or less for sandy soils, although several days may be
required for clays and fine textured soils.
INFILTRATION MEASUREMENTS

The measure of infiltration of water into the soil is an important indication

concerning: the efficiency of irrigation and drainage, optimizing the
availability of water for plants, improving the yield of crops and minimizing
erosion.
1. Double ring infiltrometer

is a simple instrument that is used to determine the rate of infiltration of

water into the soil.
The inner- and outer ring are driven a number of centimeters into the soil by
means of a driving plate and an impact absorbing hammer.
Because the inner- as well as the outer ring are filled with water, the water
flows virtually vertically through the inner ring into the soil.
2. Tension infiltrometer

measures the hydraulic properties of unsaturated soil. Water held under

tension infiltrates into a dry soil through a highly permeable nylon
membrane.
Advantages
Separate infiltration disc for greater stability.
On site determination of hydraulic properties.
Low volume of water.
3 adjustable tension settings.
Flow rates read directly from water column or with an optional
tensimeter.
Optional transducers and datalogger or tensi-recorder allow
electronic data collection.
Polycarbonate and plexi-glass materials.
Replaceable nylon mesh screen membrane.
The flow rate is read directly from the water column.
The tension infiltrometer with pressure transducer is connected to a
datalogger.