Small Lysimeters for Documenting Arid Site Water Balance

by W. J. Waugh, Chem-Nuclear Geotech, Inc, Grand Junction, United States,
M. E. Thiede, Chem-Nuclear Geotech, Inc, Grand Junction, United States,
L. L. Cadwell, Chem-Nuclear Geotech, Inc, Grand Junction, United States,
G. W. Gee, Chem-Nuclear Geotech, Inc, Grand Junction, United States,
H. D. Freeman, Chem-Nuclear Geotech, Inc, Grand Junction, United States,
M. R. Sackschewsky, Chem-Nuclear Geotech, Inc, Grand Junction, United States,
J. F. Relyea, Chem-Nuclear Geotech, Inc, Grand Junction, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Grouting in Geotechnical Engineering

Abstract:

Small weighing lysimeters consisting of plastic pipes with lifting and drainage fittings were installed at the arid U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Hanford Site in southcentral Washington State to conduct factorial experiments comparing the influences of various waste site cover designs on soil water balance. Results of a comparison of erosion control designs indicate that gravel can be mixed into the soil surface to control soil loss without influencing the water balance. In contrast, an equivalent amount of gravel applied as a surface mulch suppressed evapotranspiration resulting in increased storage and drainage. Only slight differences were observed in a comparison of storage changes in the small lysimeters and adjacent large weighing lysimeters. Time series of soil temperature for the small lysimeters and for nearby soil profiles converged after insulation collars were installed.

Subject Headings: Soil water | Measuring instruments | Water balance | Arid lands | Water storage | Water resources | Waste sites | Washington | United States

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