Estimating macropore and matrix flow using the hydrograph separation procedure in an experimental forest plot

This study was conducted to estimate macropore space, macropore flow and matrix flow in an experimental forest plot in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas. Lateral soil water fluxes and soil capillary potentials were observed in the isolated plot during applied rainfall experiments. Rainfalls were applied 17 times during the period 17 July to 10 October 1991. The subsurface hydrograph separation technique was used to estimate macropore space, macropore flux and matrix flux. The boundary between macropore and matrix flow was statistically determined by covariance analysis. The maximum estimated lateral macropore space was approximately 0.006 (cm³ cm^?3). The maximum estimated lateral macropore and matrix flow were 0.042 and 0.00066 cm s^?1, respectively. This report also emphasizes the need for further research on the hydrograph separation procedure for estimating macropores and macropore flow.