Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
zone than during evenly distributed infiltration on the surface, hence causing less than
optimal conditions for degradation of pollutants. Preferential meltout of chemicals and
subsequent redistribution of meltwater may also cause concentrations in soils next to the
impermeable covers which are higher than expected from a pure mass-balance point of
view. In addition to the temporary and variable surface conditions created by frost and
snow, impermeable surfaces, membranes and other installations near the soil surface may
highly affect the infiltration and flow pattern in the unsaturated zone next to roads and
runways (e.g. Apul et al., 2007).
Fig. 1. Surface conditions at Oslo airport, Gardermoen, near the end of snowmelt, showing
patchiness of snow and ponding of melt water due to soil frost.
Fig. 2. Variable infiltration, increased moisture content as blue areas, observed as reduced
electrical resistivities near the surface of a soil below a melting snow cover (modified from
French & Binley, 2004).
