Electromagnetic induction mapping at varied soil moisture reveals field-scale soil textural patterns and gravel lenses

Abdu, Hiruy; Robinson, David A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7290-4867; Boettinger, Janis; Jones, Scott B.. 2017 Electromagnetic induction mapping at varied soil moisture reveals field-scale soil textural patterns and gravel lenses. Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering, 4 (2). 135-145. https://doi.org/10.15302/J-FASE-2017143

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.15302/J-FASE-2017143

Abstract/Summary

Knowledge of the spatial distribution of soil textural properties is important for determining soil moisture storage and soil hydraulic transport properties. Capturing field heterogeneity without exhaustive sampling and costly sample analysis is difficult. Our objective was to employ electromagnetic induction (EMI) mapping in low apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) soils at varying soil water contents to capture time invariant properties such as soil texture. Georeferenced ECa measurements were taken using a ground conductivity meter on six different days where volumetric water content (θv) varied from 0.11 to 0.23. The 50 m × 50 m field included a subsurface gravelly patch in an otherwise homogeneous silt-loam alluvial soil. Ordinary block kriging predicted ECa at unsampled areas to produce 1-m resolution maps. Temporal stability analysis was used to divide the field into three distinct ECa regions. Subsequent ground-truthing confirmed the lowest conductivity region correlated with coarse textured soil parent materials associated with a former high-energy alluvial depositional area. Combining maps using temporal stability analysis gives the clearest image of the textural difference. These maps could be informative for modeling, experimental design, sensor placement and targeted zone management strategies in soil science, ecology, hydrology, and agricultural applications.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.15302/J-FASE-2017143
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Emmett
ISSN:	2095-7505
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	soil electrical conductivity, soil texture mapping, temporal stability analysis
NORA Subject Terms:	Agriculture and Soil Science
Date made live:	14 Jun 2017 10:58 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/517143

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.15302/J-FASE-2017143

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Emmett

ISSN:

2095-7505

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.

Additional Keywords:

soil electrical conductivity, soil texture mapping, temporal stability analysis