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Submersible Pressure Outflow Cell for Measurement of Soil Water Retention and Diffusivity from 5 to 95°C¹

ABSTRACT

A technique was developed to measure water content in soil as a function of capillary pressure from 5 to 95°C. To overcome problems encountered at high temperature, a modified Tempe pressure cell containing a soil sample is suspended in a constant-temperature water bath. The cell's porous plate is in direct contact with circulating bath water, thus eliminating the problem of entrapped air bubbles. A balance located above the water bath measures water content changes in the soil by weighing the entire pressure cell under water. The technique is designed to measure soil water retention characteristics and to make transient outflow estimates of the soil water diffusivity at temperatures from 5 to 95°C. We also used the technique to determine the isobaric temperature dependence of water retention in soil. Results indicate that at constant capillary pressure, the relationship between moisture content and temperature is hysteretic.

¹ Contribution from the U.S. Geological Survey, MS-96, 345 Middlefield Rd., Menlo Park, CA 94025.

² Hydrologist and Physicist, respectively.

Received for publication April 4, 1983. Accepted for publication September 13, 1983.