Solute Distribution Profiles Computed with Steady‐State and Transient Water Movement Models

A comparison is made between two numerical models for simultaneous movement of water and salts in soil profiles. In the first model the water content and flux are constant during irrigation with time or depth (steady state model). In the second model the water contents and fluxes change with time and depth following each infiltration according to the hydraulic properties of the soil (transient model). From a comparison between data obtained with the two models, it is shown that both techniques yield comparable results when concentrations are plotted versus cumulative drainage. Measured effluent concentration distributions from columns periodically irrigated with labeled water, also compare well with effluent concentration distributions computed with the steady‐state model.