Soil Physics Measurements

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Soil Physics focuses on analyzing and quantifying the physical properties and processes in the earth's upper crust, particularly concerning water and solute transport in the unsaturated zone. While many textbooks cover the theory and application of Soil Physics, few provide detailed descriptions of measurement techniques and step-by-step instructional exercises for teaching purposes. This volume aims to bridge that gap by presenting a representative selection of methods for measuring water transport in unsaturated soil. It reflects the practical "Soil Physics Measurements" (SPM) program initiated at Wageningen University about fifteen years ago, required for undergraduates in Soil, Water, and Atmosphere studies, and attended by related discipline students and international graduate students. The book incorporates new measuring techniques, such as time domain reflectometry for soil water content, alongside traditional methods. It covers topics like soil water content, tensiometry, hydraulic conductivity measurements, and sorptivity. An introductory practical teaches fundamental operations, including core sample retrieval and hydraulic conductivity measurements. The second chapter reviews basic Soil Physics concepts and experimental operations. An introductory chapter outlines hydrology and hydraulic properties of the unsaturated zone, summarizing each chapter's content and providing organizational details for educators. The ch