Movement of moisture in the unsaturated zone in a loess-mantled area, southwestern Kansas

Abstract

Multiply English units inches (in.) feet (ft) miles (mi) feet per day (ft/d) feet per hour (ft/hr) feet per minute (ft/min) square feet (ft2) square feet per day (ft2/d) cubic feet (ft3)

Stochastic analysis of moisture plume dynamics of a field injection experiment

“…Knowledge of natural heterogeneity in geologic media leads to a better understanding and prediction of hydrological processes in subsurface environment. Effects of heterogeneity on vadose zone flow and transport have been reported for a number of field observations [ Trautwein et al , 1983; Routson et al , 1979; Price et al , 1979; Crosby et al , 1968, 1971; Prill , 1977; Knoll and Nelson , 1962; Palmquist and Johnson , 1962]. As concluded in these studies, lateral movement of water and solutes is usually significant if the medium is stratified, the initial moisture content is low, the size of the application area is small relative to the size of the unsaturated zone, and the application rate is small [ Gelhar et al , 1985].…”

Geohydrology of the High Plains Aquifer, western Kansas

“…Maximum reported thickness of loess in southwest Kansas is 45 feet (Gutentag and others, 1981). Prill (1977) reported that loess from 5-to 30-feet thick underlies about 60 percent of an 11-county study area in southwest Kansas. The loess is a uniform, homogeneous, generally fossiliferous, calcareous, and massive silt of eolian origin.…”

“…There is very little information available on the chemical composition of return flow from irrigation in the High Plains of Kansas. Prill (1977) has reported changes in the chemical quality of water from the aquifer as a result of an artificial-recharge experiment. Concentrations of selected chemical constituents in water from the well used as a recharge source (well 23S-34W-26CCC) and in water from a shallow well at the edge of the recharge pond (well 23S-34W-26CDC) are given in table 6.…”

“…Water from the shallow well collected at the end of a 157-day period after ponding and drainage shows a significant change in the chemical concentrations. November 20, 1967, at beginning of recharge test (Prill, 1977).…”

“…Water from the shallow well increased in dissolved solids from 1,660 mg/L on November 20, 1967, to 3,960 mg/L on April 9, 1968. The increase in concentrations of dissolved solids was caused by leaching of soluble salts from the soil and loess and depended on the quality of water applied, the extent of previous leaching, and the saturation percentage of the material through which the water was moving (Prill, 1977).…”