Articles tagged with Soil Moisture
Researchers found that smaller spatial resolutions are necessary for accurate modeling of soil water dynamics, especially at large scales. The critical limit for grid resolution can be estimated using soil water retention characteristics, and is typically on the order of decimeters or millimeters.
A UC Riverside-led study has discovered a vast pool of nitrate in near-surface desert soils under 'desert pavement', which could contaminate surface and groundwaters. The researchers warn that disruptions to these areas could result in wind erosion, transporting high levels of nitrate to groundwater or surface waters.
The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa announces a 5-year program to restore soil fertility, targeting 4.1 million farmers and 6.3 million hectares of land. The initiative aims to boost crop yields, raise farmer incomes, and protect natural resources.
A recent study found that soil erosion in northern Mexico is accelerating due to overgrazing, leading to the loss of fertile land and vegetation. The research team used a rainfall index type hydrological model to simulate soil moisture levels and runoff rates, revealing that areas with low rainfall are most prone to sheet erosion.
The Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory will investigate how soils form from bedrock, affecting water movement and groundwater flow. Researchers will conduct field experiments and implement high-performance computers to predict weathering rates and model the impact of forest regolith on local water resources.
Researchers have found that the protein responsible for producing geosmin, a soil-scented compound, has two distinct halves that work together to create the organic compound. This discovery could help microbiologists develop strategies to block geosmin in drinking water, which can cause an unpleasant taste.
Using advanced imaging techniques, a physicist at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is uncovering new insights into how surfaces interact with contaminants and toxic substances. By detecting molecular vibrations and analyzing electron behavior, she aims to develop new ways to monitor and control air pollution.
Researchers found crop yields are running at about 50 percent below conclusions drawn from enclosed test conditions, contradicting previous assumptions of increased yield due to CO2 levels. The study highlights the need for changes in production strategies to avoid global food shortages.
Researchers are testing remote sensing technology to measure the Earth's water cycle on a small scale, with a focus on soil moisture levels. The goal is to improve crop yields and drought predictions by evaluating the use of various remote sensing devices.
A new study published in the journal Science found that future greenhouse gas conditions are likely to result in lower crop yields, particularly for C3 crops such as rice, wheat, and soybeans. The researchers used open-air field trials involving five major food crops grown under carbon-dioxide levels projected for the year 2050.
Researchers found that beaver dams enhance hydrologic processes during peak flow and low flow periods, creating environments suitable for wetland formation and persistence. The study suggests that beavers play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem diversity by altering river systems worldwide.
Researchers found that tap roots in deep-rooted plants transfer rainwater to reservoirs underground, redistributing water upwards during dry periods, increasing photosynthesis and transpiration. This effect can increase carbon uptake by 40% and impact global climate globally.
A new study led by Duke University suggests that growing tree plantations to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere may trigger environmental changes that outweigh some of its benefits. The research found that these plantations would lead to water and nutrient depletion, increased soil salinity and acidity, and decreased stream flow.
The American Society of Agronomy has published a new CD, 'Soil Wetting Agents', providing practical information on the technology behind soil wetting agents to improve water absorption on golf courses. The resource addresses a gap in turf management education and is available for purchase online.
Scientists suggest that deep roots, not just surface moisture, affect terrestrial heat and moisture processes in land-atmosphere interaction. This understanding could lead to more accurate climate models and better predictability.
A study by Duke University researchers found that pine trees under elevated CO2 levels experienced increased growth in some years, but not consistently. The findings suggest that pine trees may be able to improve water use efficiency, but the results are mixed and more research is needed.
A study by Cornell University professor David Pimentel found that organic farming systems produce the same crop yields as conventional farming, while using less energy and conserving more water. Organic farming also improves soil quality and reduces pollution.
A recent study found that desert vegetation can maintain dry conditions in the soil, minimizing leaching of wastes into underlying aquifers. This has important implications for radioactive and hazardous waste disposal, as well as water resources management.
Agriculture can provide food and energy security while sustaining soil and water resources, says Kansas State University professor Charles W. Rice. Properly managed agricultural systems can conserve soil and water, but excessive tillage, low productivity, and residue removal result in loss of biodiversity and environmental degradation.
A new NCAR study reveals that rising temperatures are the primary cause of expanding droughts globally. The research found that almost half of the change in dry conditions since the 1970s is due to warming rather than decreased rainfall or snowfall.
Researchers used computer models to locate areas where soil moisture influences rainfall, identifying common features known as 'hot spots'. These hot spots are found in transition zones between wet and dry regions, with implications for seasonal forecasting of rainfall and improving weather forecasts.
The Soil Moisture Experiment 2004 aims to understand how much moisture is retained in soils, helping estimate potential flooding or water absorption. By analyzing data from satellites, airplanes, and ground teams, researchers can provide better forecasts for monsoon rainfall and water supply.
A study published in the Vadose Zone Journal examines how different soil types influence Cryptosporidium parvum's transport to groundwater. The research found that sandy soils allow rapid movement of pathogens, while structured soils with large macropores have limited breakthrough.
Scientists review state-of-the-art ground-penetrating radar methods for measuring water content in vineyard soil, offering improved precision irrigation approaches and optimizing grape crop prediction. The technology provides high-resolution information to develop uniform blocks of optimal soil properties, enhancing overall wine quality.
A new study found that global warming can increase soil moisture in grasslands by up to 10% due to plant death and subsequent water retention. Researchers at Stanford University discovered this unexpected outcome despite climate models predicting drier conditions.
Researchers have developed a numerical model for simulating the waveform in soil, improving field measurements of water content. The new method uses Time Domain Reflectometry and takes into account various factors such as soil types, bulk density, and probe parameters.
Researchers found that surfactants can cause contaminants to move more rapidly through the vadose zone and reach the water table more quickly. This knowledge advances understanding of unsaturated flow processes and will aid in designing effective clean-up systems.
Lyman Briggs was a highly influential soil scientist who also pioneered work on high-speed wind tunnels and military technology. His experiments explored water behavior under low pressure, demonstrating the paradoxical fact that water can remain liquid even with minimal pressure.
Researchers at UC Riverside have isolated microorganisms that can degrade up to 90% of the toxic pesticide endosulfan in 15 days. The strains, Fusarium ventricosum and Pandoraea sp., have potential applications for detoxifying contaminated soils and water bodies.
A model suggests that only coarse-textured soils can form fingers capable of moving deep into the soil, leading to inefficient water use and potential groundwater contamination. Laboratory experiments show that even small amounts of water can create persistent pathways in sandy soils.
Researchers developed a model predicting water redistribution in soils following irrigation or rainfall. Coarse-textured soils exhibit finger formation, leading to deep chemical movement and potential groundwater contamination. Longer, less frequent watering may decrease fingering near the surface.
Researchers developed a numerical model that explains the emergence of various patterns, including stone circles and labyrinths, through the interaction of two mechanisms: lateral sorting and squeezing. The relative strengths of these processes, along with factors like soil compressibility and stone size, determine the resulting pattern.
The new Methods of Soil Analysis Book, Methods 4, expands on previous editions with comprehensive techniques for carrying out soil physical measurements. It features advanced methods such as geostatistics, fractals, and fuzzy sets, providing a standard reference for soil physics technology.
Rain-on-snow events are projected to affect reindeer herds in northern regions, causing food shortages and potentially devastating impacts. Climate change is predicted to increase the frequency and duration of these events, with a 40% increase in land area affected by 2080-89.
A new study suggests that future extreme rain events could cause significant crop losses and damages, particularly in the US Corn Belt. The researchers used a modified crop model to simulate the effects of excess soil moisture on corn crops, finding potential damages up to $3 billion per year by the 2030s.
Researchers have developed a method to measure spring output and analyze groundwater flow in the Blue Ridge province. The technique helps determine how much water is available for wells, addressing a pressing issue in Virginia due to drought and rapid growth.
Researchers developed a formula to accurately determine water-use efficiency in typical soils, showing that no-till techniques can improve crop yields while reducing runoff and drainage losses. Soils with higher clay content and greater capacity to retain water produce better results, highlighting the importance of soil type management.
A new technology called Partial Rootzone Drying (PRD) has emerged as a solution to reduce river water irrigation without exacerbating saline soils. By alternating irrigation patterns, half of the roots can be kept moist while the other half are kept dry, conserving water and maintaining fruit production.
Researchers create way to 'finger print' and monitor water absorption in clays, which could improve oil well drilling and construction site understanding. The technique uses X-ray scattering to analyze the distance between crystal layers in clay.
Researchers from Idaho National Laboratory are developing tools to monitor water flow and contaminants in the vadose zone beneath the Savannah River Site. They planted soil monitoring equipment to measure water content, tritium concentration, and soil tension, providing valuable information about the vadose zone.
A biodegradable oil spill cleanup product has been developed using milled bagasse, a waste byproduct of the sugar industry. The product creates an environment that sustains bacteria to digest spilled oil, making it effective in vegetated wetlands.
A new Cornell University study warns that water shortages will worsen globally unless resource-management practices improve. The report suggests ending irrigation subsidies and rewarding conservation to manage water more efficiently.
Researchers have developed a rapid virus detection technology for drinking water, recreational waters, and groundwater. The test detects the presence or absence of viruses using a specific enzyme released from cells, providing a more accurate indicator of human health risk.