Mapping soil surface macropores using infrared thermography: an exploratory laboratory study.
Macropores and water flow in soils and substrates are complex and are related to topics like preferential flow, nonequilibrium flow, and dual-continuum. Hence, the quantification of the number of macropores and the determination of their geometry are expected to provide a better understanding on the effects of pores on the soil's physical and hydraulic properties. This exploratory study aimed at evaluating the potential of using infrared thermography for mapping macroporosity at the soil surface and estimating the number and size of such macropores. The presented technique was applied to a small scale study (laboratory soil flume).
Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Coimbra (FCTUC), Rua Luís Reis Santos, Campus II, University of Coimbra, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal ; Institute of Marine Research, IMAR/MARE, Coimbra, Portugal.
João L M P
JL
de Lima
Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Coimbra (FCTUC), Rua Luís Reis Santos, Campus II, University of Coimbra, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal ; Institute of Marine Research, IMAR/MARE, Coimbra, Portugal.
João R C B
JR
Abrantes
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Rural Federal University of Pernambuco, 52171-900 Recife, PE, Brazil.
Valdemir P
VP
Silva
Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Coimbra (FCTUC), Rua Luís Reis Santos, Campus II, University of Coimbra, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal ; Institute of Marine Research, IMAR/MARE, Coimbra, Portugal.
M Isabel P
MI
de Lima
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Rural Federal University of Pernambuco, 52171-900 Recife, PE, Brazil.
Abelardo A A
AA
Montenegro
D007753:Laboratories; D016062:Porosity; D012107:Research Design; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013817:Thermography / Q000379:methods*; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism
D012987:Soil; D014867:Water