Effect of Soil Air Movement and Compressibility on Infiltration Rates

Abstract The purpose of the study was to determine the hydrologic significance of the soil air flow and of its compressibility in the process of infiltration and moisture redistribution. Results of a numerical solution of the equations describing the simultaneous flow of air and water in a soil are presented. The results show that the air flow and compressibility may affect significantly the infiltration rates and the saturation profiles.