New evidence for the dominance of vapour diffusion during the re-saturation of compacted bentonite

The established codes for modelling the re-saturation of compacted bentonite are based on the assumption that the hydraulic processes can be described as a two-phase flow of liquid water and air. Some models additionally take vapour flow into account. Recent investigations suggest, though, that compacted bentonite in contact with liquid water does not re-saturate via the liquid water phase but exclusively by evaporation in the pore space and subsequent vapour diffusion. The present paper adds further evidence to support this hypothesis.Under certain conditions a balance equation for the water vapour in the bentonite can be transformed into the well-known Fickian approach that has been empirically derived from observations of uptake experiments with liquid water. This transformed balance equation allows to interpret the so-called “diffusion coefficient” as a product of several simple physical parameters. An exemplary set of parameters for compacted MX-80 bentonite yields a value that lies within the narrow band of empirically determined “diffusion coefficients”.     

Role of Solar Radiation and Water Vapour Pressure Deficit in Controlling Latent Heat Flux Density in a Scots Pine Forest

We assessed in absolute and relative terms how solar radiation and water vapour pressure deficit control the latent heat flux density in a Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forest growing under boreal conditions. The absolute and relative total control can be expressed as sums of the physical and biological forms of control. Physical control is based on the direct effects of solar radiation and water vapour pressure deficit on latent heat flux density, and biological control on the effects of solar radiation and water vapour pressure deficit on latent heat flux density through surface resistance. Measurements based on the eddy covariance method were used in the assessment, which defined the scale adopted in the study. Relative physical control over latent heat flux density was mainly exercised by water vapour pressure deficit, and the role of solar radiation was only marginal. The relative biological control exercised by solar radiation over latent heat flux density was higher in the morning and afternoon, unlike the control exercised by water vapour pressure deficit, which was strongest around noon. The values for the relative total control exercised by solar radiation over latent heat flux density were in general higher than those for relative total control exercised by water vapour pressure deficit. This is inconsistent with expectations based on Omega theory, where a decoupling coefficient () indicates the relative control exercised by surface resistance over latent heat flux density. Solar radiation and water vapour pressure deficit do not necessarily act in opposite directions in the absolute or relative total control that they maintain over latent heat flux density.