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Impact of effluent irrigation on soil water dynamics and sustainable land use: Synergistic effects of altered soil structure and wettability
Project
Project code: 2813IL04
Contract period: 01.11.2014
- 31.12.2017
Budget: 147,064 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
The usage of treated waste water for irrigation of agricultural fields has become common practice in arid and semiarid areas. This study will explore the impact of effluent irrigation on soil hydraulic properties as a prerequisite to optimize water application efficiency in water scarce agricultural systems. Changes in soil hydraulic properties in response to effluent irrigation is explained by two effects: i) change of soil wettability (i.e. contact angle at pore solid interfaces), and ii) change in the pore structure mediated by soil biology in reaction to the input of organic compounds. This study investigates the effects of irrigation on soils with different texture using effluents and fresh water. It will answer the following questions:
1. How the contact angle changes spatially and temporally along the vertical soil profile (Israel); 2. How the soil structure changes in terms of pore size distribution, pore surface area and pore connectivity (Germany); 3. What the consequences for water retention and water dynamics are - including preferential flow formation (Israel); 4. What the consequences for hydraulic conductivity along the vertical soil profile are (Germany).
Section overview
Subjects
- Agricultural hydrology
