Numerical Study of Macropore Impact on Ponded Infiltration in Clay Soils

Abstract

The single-porosity and dual-permeability models in HYDRUS-1D (Šimůnek et al. 1998, 2003) were used to simulate variably-saturated water movement in clay soils with and without macropores. Numerical simulations of water flow for several scenarios of probable macropore compositions show a considerable impact of preferential flow on water infiltration in such soils. Preferential flow must be considered to predict water recharge in clay soils.

Keywords

• ponded infiltration
• macropores and fractures
• preferential flow
• single-porosity system
• dual-permeability system
• hydrus-1d