Week 4:

Infiltration

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 Infiltration
• Infiltration refers to the process by which water
on the surface of the earth enters into the soil.
This process is driven by gravity, and it is an
important aspect of the water cycle.

• When precipitation falls on the ground, some of

the water is absorbed by the soil, and some of it
flows over the surface as runoff. The amount of
water that is absorbed by the soil depends on
several factors, including the soil type, vegetation
cover, land use, and the intensity and duration of
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the rainfall.
 Infiltration
• Infiltration plays a critical role in groundwater recharge, as water
that infiltrates into the soil eventually percolates downward and
recharges the underlying aquifers. It also helps to reduce surface
runoff and erosion, and it can be an important source of water for
plants and vegetation.

• The infiltrating water firstly increases the soil moisture and the
remaining part moves into the deeper parts of the earth, joining
the groundwater (percolation).

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 Percolation
• Percolation refers to the movement of water through the soil
or other porous materials. When water infiltrates into the soil,
it initially fills the spaces between soil particles and then
begins to move downward under the influence of gravity. As
the water moves through the soil, it can dissolve and transport
nutrients and other substances, and it can also interact with
microorganisms and other soil organisms.

• Percolation is an important process in the hydrological cycle,

as it allows water to recharge groundwater aquifers and
maintain the flow of streams and rivers during dry periods. The
rate of percolation depends on several factors, including the
soil type, the slope of the land, and the presence of vegetation
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or other obstructions.
 Field Capacity
• Field capacity is the maximum amount of water that soil can
hold against gravity after excess water has drained away. In
other words, it is the amount of water that remains in the soil
after it has been saturated and any excess water has drained
out.

• The field capacity of soil is determined by its texture,

structure, and organic matter content. Soil with a high content
of clay particles, for example, will have a higher field
capacity than soil with a high content of sand particles
resulting in a lower field capacity.

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 Infiltration Capacity
Infiltration capacity depends on the following factors:

1. Physical characteristics of the soil Porosity Infiltration capacity

2. Initial soil moisture of the soil Initial mositure content Infiltration capacity

3. Vegetation cover Vegetal cover Infiltration capacity

4. Surface condition of the soil Calcium carbonate Infiltration Capacity

5. Air pockets in the soil Air pockets Infiltration Capacity

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 Measurement of Infiltiration
• Infiltration is measured with a ring infiltrometer, which is a
ring about 60cm in diameter, driven into the soil. Water is
placed in the ring and rate of infiltration is measured by the
drop in the water level.

• Infiltration rate is one of the most difficult hydrologic

parameters to measure. Because water and soil conditions are
extremly variable both in time and in space, which can effect
the measured rate.

A ring of infiltrometer

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 Lysimeter
• A lysimeter is a scientific instrument used to measure the
water balance of a soil system. It is essentially a large
container filled with soil that is used to monitor changes in the
water content of the soil over time, as well as the movement
and fate of water and solutes in the soil.

• Lysimeters can be installed in the field or in the laboratory,

and they come in various shapes and sizes depending on the
application. They can be equipped with sensors to measure the
moisture content, temperature, and other properties of the soil,
as well as to collect water samples for chemical analysis.

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 Standard Infiltration Curve

• The standard infiltration curve is a graphical

representation of the rate at which water infiltrates into
soil over time. It is a common way of analyzing the
results of infiltration tests, such as those conducted using
an infiltrometer.

• The standard infiltration curve is typically divided into

two parts: an initial or «rapid» phase, followed by a
«steady-state» or «slow» phase.

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 Standard Infiltration Curve

• During the initial phase, the rate of infiltration is high, as

water quickly fills the soil pores and moves downward
under the influence of gravity. This phase typically lasts
only a few minutes and is followed by a transition period in
which the rate of infiltration slows down as the soil pores
become filled with water.
• During the steady-state phase, the rate of infiltration is
relatively constant and is determined by the properties of
the soil and the hydraulic conductivity of the soil-water
system. This phase can last for several hours or longer,
depending on the soil type and other factors. 11
Horton’s (1940) infiltration approach

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 Standard Infiltration Curve

Here are some possible scenarios and their implications for rainfall intensity and infiltration capacity:

1. High rainfall intensity and low infiltration capacity: In this scenario, the rainfall rate exceeds the soil's ability to
absorb and store water, leading to the accumulation of water on the soil surface and the generation of runoff. This
can result in soil erosion, flooding, and other hydrological hazards, especially if the land is steep or has little
vegetation cover.

2. Low rainfall intensity and high infiltration capacity: In this scenario, the rainfall rate is lower than the soil's ability
to absorb and store water, leading to rapid infiltration and little or no surface runoff. This can be beneficial for plants
and agriculture, as it allows for efficient water use and minimizes the risk of erosion and flooding. 13
 Standard Infiltration Curve

Here are some possible scenarios and their implications for rainfall intensity and infiltration capacity:

3. High rainfall intensity and high infiltration capacity: In this scenario, the rainfall rate is high, but the soil's
ability to absorb and store water is also high, leading to rapid infiltration and little or no surface runoff. This
scenario is ideal for water recharge and groundwater recharge, as it allows for efficient use of the rainfall and
helps to replenish aquifers.

4. Low rainfall intensity and low infiltration capacity: In this scenario, the rainfall rate is low, and the soil's
ability to absorb and store water is also low, leading to slow infiltration and potential surface runoff. This
scenario is common in areas with compacted or impermeable soils, and it can result in waterlogging and other
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water-related problems.
 Infiltration Indices
• In small and homogeneous regions, the standard infiltration curve can be
used.

• If Precipitation intensity and Infiltration capacity varies from place to

place, it will not be easy to determine the infiltration curve.

• In these cases, infiltration indices are used, which show the average
infiltration amount.

• These indices give the potential infiltration rate, not the actual infiltration
rate.
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Infiltration Indices

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 (ϕ) Phi-Index
• It represents the soil’s holding potential at which air is forced out of the
soil pores and replaced by water.

• The phi index is typically expressed in units of centimeters or kilopascals

(kPa) and is determined by conducting a pressure plate test on a soil
sample.

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 (w) W-Index
• It represents the amount of water that the soil can retain at various soil
moisture levels, from saturation to wilting point.

• The w index is typically expressed as a percentage of the soil's dry weight

or volume and is determined by conducting a soil water retention curve
on a soil sample.

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