Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2017-336
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2017-336
19 Jun 2017
 | 19 Jun 2017
Status: this discussion paper is a preprint. It has been under review for the journal Hydrology and Earth System Sciences (HESS). The manuscript was not accepted for further review after discussion.

Modeling macropore seepage fluxes from soil water content time series by inversion of a dual permeability model

Nicolas Dalla Valle, Karin Potthast, Stefanie Meyer, Beate Michalzik, Anke Hildebrandt, and Thomas Wutzler

Abstract. Dual permeability models are widely used to simulate water fluxes and solute transport in structured soils. However, so far obtaining necessary data for model calibration is a problem due to the large set of unconstrained parameters. Therefore, this study presents a simplified 1D dual permeability model whose structure is similar to the MACRO model together with a calibration scheme that allows constraining the parameters using time series of soil water content. The inversion scheme consists of four consecutive steps: First, the parameters of three different water retention functions were assessed using vertical soil water content profiles assuming hydraulic equilibrium. Second, the soil sorptivity and diffusivity functions were estimated from Boltzmann-transformed soil water content data of a drying period. Third, the parameters governing macropore flow were determined using the most dynamic part of the soil water content time series during the first 12 h after a precipitation event.

The model was calibrated using data of artificial, homogeneous and shallow soils from mesocosms. The resulting retention functions predicted similar values as pedotransfer functions apart from for very dry conditions. The predicted soil water content time series were in good agreement with measurements at 5 and 12 cm soil depth. Predicted macropore seepage fluxes exhibited high uncertainty and differed between water retention functions, but average predictions were close to measurements for two of the three water retention functions.

The study demonstrates the feasibility of calibrating a 1D dual permeability model with soil water content time series.

Nicolas Dalla Valle, Karin Potthast, Stefanie Meyer, Beate Michalzik, Anke Hildebrandt, and Thomas Wutzler
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
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Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
Nicolas Dalla Valle, Karin Potthast, Stefanie Meyer, Beate Michalzik, Anke Hildebrandt, and Thomas Wutzler
Nicolas Dalla Valle, Karin Potthast, Stefanie Meyer, Beate Michalzik, Anke Hildebrandt, and Thomas Wutzler

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Latest update: 27 Mar 2024
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Short summary
Dual permeability models are an important tool to simulate water movement in soils and can be used to assess the risk of groundwater contamination by pesticides or the risk of flooding after strong precipitation events. However, their application is often hampered by the large amount of data they require. We developed a method to run this kind of models based on mostly just soil water content measurements, which will hopefully increase their usage and improve environmental risk assessment.