A probabilistic investigation of infiltration in the vadose zone: proposal for a new formula of infiltration rate |
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| Authors: | Erick Carlier |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Email:carlier@univ‐artois.fr;5. erick.carlier@yahoo.fr;6. UMR CNRS 8110 “Bilans et Processus des Domaines Sédimentaires”, Université d'Artois, Faculté des sciences Jean Perrin, SP 18, Rue Jean Souvraz, 62307 Lens Cedex, France |
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| Abstract: | The infiltration rate in the unsaturated zone is analysed from a probabilistic point of view. It is shown that the empirical formulas of Horton and Kostiakov, without apparent physical basis, are explained in a probabilistic approach. Horton's formula reflects a Markovian process contrary to Kostiakov's formula. This approach made it possible to explain why Kostiakov's formula is more powerful than that of Horton. A new equation of infiltration is proposed. The three formulas were compared, for four types of soil, with the model of van Genuchten based on the Richards equation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
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| Keywords: | infiltration vadose zone Markovian process probability empirical formula |
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