Avaliação in situ da condutividade hidráulica de solos de montanha: um caso de ...

• Author(s): Marques, J. Espinha ; Duarte, J.M. ; Constantino, A.T. ; Aguiar, Carlos ; Rocha, F.T. ; Marques, José M. ; Samper, J. ; Borges, F.S. ; Carvalho, J.M. ; Chaminé, H.I.
• Date: 2009
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10198/7387
• Origin: Biblioteca Digital do IPB
• Subject(s): Unsaturated zone; Hydropedology; Soil hydraulics; Constant head permeameter; Serra da Estrela Mountain
• Document Type: Article
• Language: Portuguese

Description

Understanding the role of the vadose zone is essential to accurately assess hydrogeological systems and the respective groundwater resources. The study area (Manteigas – Nave de Santo António – Torre sector, Serra da Estrela Mountain, Central Portugal) presents specific geological, morphotectonical and climatic characteristics with significant influence on the hydrogeologic regime. The vadose zone has particular features that contribute to control both the quantity and the quality of the groundwater resources. In situ hydraulic conductivity tests were carried out in A and H soil horizons, by means of the constant head permeameter (Guelph permeameter) method. The mean value of the field saturated hydraulic conductivity is high (around 6 cm/h) and is typical of coarse textured soils. Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity was estimated using the Gardner mathematical model.