Comparison of Cornell sprinkle infiltrometer and double‐ring infiltrometer methods for measuring steady infiltration rate

Abstract

Infiltration rate measurements are used to assess soil health and develop land management practices to address runoff from precipitation and irrigation. Differences in observed infiltration rates determined by available methods can be attributed to both the technique and soil property differences. The primary objective of this study was to compare two methods for measuring steady infiltration rate: the Cornell sprinkle infiltrometer (single‐ring) method (CSI), and the double‐ring infiltrometer method (DRI). Measurements were made at four sites using four replications of 13 sets of conditions (52 total paired measurements). The relationship between CSI and DRI measurements was significant (p < .001) and strong (R2 = .71). For 8 of 13 conditions, there was no difference between CSI and DRI steady infiltration rates. Variability in measurements was high (CVs ranged from 0.04 to 1.18) but similar for both methods. Both CSI and DRI results were strongly related to saturated hydraulic conductivity of the surface soil layer determined using a laboratory constant head method on intact soil cores. Overall, results suggest that estimates of steady infiltration rate determined by the CSI and standard DRI methods are comparable.

Achieving Real-World Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity: Practical and Theoretical Findings from Using an Exponential One-Phase Decay Model

“…In other words, the three parameters (k sat , i 0 and b) of Equation ( 6) can be completely determined by running a non-linear regression on the field data (∆h t,meas , ∆t) measured for Equation (3). The resulting equation is Regr i nst-meas , in which numerical values are assigned to k sat , i 0 , and b.…”

“…In history, the principle of Hydrology 2023, 10, 235 2 of 20 this technique has evolved into two types of equipment. The first was proposed to be a "single ring" (SRI) and is considered by some studies to be as accurate as the second and more common configuration, named "double ring" (DRI), as far as the determination of saturated hydraulic conductivity (K sat ) is concerned [3,4]. The usefulness of the technique is now admitted.…”

“…Among other things, the study concluded that the DRI rates were about 80% of the one-dimensional infiltration vertical infiltration rates, while the infiltration rates of the SRI were f times greater than the one-dimensional infiltration rates, with f being a correction factor dependent on soil initial boundary conditions and ring geometry. Lewis et al [3] conducted a study to compare the results of a single-ring infiltrometer (SRI) and a DRI. The measurements were performed on four sites in situ, with 4 replicates of 13 different experimental conditions or factor levels [12], which yielded 52 pairs of experimental units.…”