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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #87621
Title: QUANTITATIVE CHARACTERIZATION OF PREFERENTIAL FLOW PATHS IN UNDISTURBED SOIL

Author
item PRATT, ELLEN - UNIV OF ILLINOIS
item BOAST, CHARLES - UNIV OF ILLINOIS
item SIMS, GERALD
item ELLSWORTH, TIMOTHY - UNIV OF ILLINOIS

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/12/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Soluble dyes have been used to directly observe flow pathways. Recently, researchers have used image analysis to identify spatial variability in soils. We applied 14C-labeled atrazine to trace the flow pathways in six undisturbed soil columns. To prevent bypass flow along the wall of the sample, the inside surface of the collection cylinder was coated with silicone grease. In addition to characterizing the flow pathways, we included bromide as a nonreactive tracer to examine preferential flow. Following application, each soil column was sliced into disks, approximately 1-cm thick. The 14C-labeled atrazine in the soil disks was detected using radioanalytic imaging scans. These scans were analyzed using a computer program in order to quantify spatial variability and create three-dimensional reconstructions of the flow pathways. Effluent samples were analyzed for 14B and bromide concentrations. Breakthrough of 14C-labeled atrazine was observed in all soil columns.