HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) An erratum has been published Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Westcot, D. W. Articles by Wierenga, P. J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Westcot, D. W. Articles by Wierenga, P. J. Agricola Articles by Westcot, D. W. Articles by Wierenga, P. J.

Transfer of Heat by Conduction and Vapor Movement in a Closed Soil System¹

ABSTRACT

A study was made to determine the importance of vapor flow to the heat transfer process in soil. Soil temperature and water content were measured in sealed columns, 7.6 cm in diameter and 32 cm in length. The columns were inserted into a field plot and exposed to daily temperature fluctuations for periods varying from 1 to 6 days. A computer simulation model was developed to predict vapor movement and the transfer of heat by conduction and by vapor diffusion. Agreement was found between observed and computed water and temperature distributions in the columns. Comparison of observed and computed temperature profiles shows that for an accurate prediction of the soil temperature in the upper soil profile, heat transfer by vapor movement must be taken into account. Vapor flux accounted for 40–60% of the heat flux in the surface 0–2 cm of the soil profile during periods of the day. Vapor flux past the 11-cm depth, depending on the time of the day, accounted for 17–34% of the total heat flux. Vapor flux still accounted for 20–25% of the total heat flux at the 25-cm depth although the total heat flux density was no more than 10% of its surface value.

¹ Journal article no. 456, Agr. Exp. Sta., New Mexico State Univ., Las Cruces, New Mexico, 88003. The work upon which this report was based was supported in part by funds obtained from the US Department of the Interior, Office of Water Resources Research, as authorized under the Water Resources Research Act of 1964.

² Former Research Assistant and Associate Professor of Agronomy, respectively. The senior author is now with the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley Region at Fresno, Calif.

Received for publication November 27, 1972. Accepted for publication October 24, 1973.