Research Project Proposal How Infiltration Rates on Soil Differ From Infiltration Rates on Soil Pathways

Why??? The purpose of this research is to determine the effect that man-made pathways have on infiltration and if strategically locating these pathways is beneficial to the surrounding environment

Infiltration… Infiltration is the process by which water penetrates into soil from the ground surface It is controlled by: type of precipitation, soil properties, soil porosity, slope, vegetation, soil compaction and pre-existing soil moisture

Project Goals Determine Infiltration Rates on Regular Ground and on Pathways Determine Difference in Bulk Density and Volumetric Water Content of Soil on Regular Ground and on Pathways Determining Bulk Density and Volumetric Water Content... The Soil Samples will be taken back to the lab and dried out. They will then be weighed and compared to their fresh weight.

Pathway Examples

Soil Samples Soil samples will be taken on regular ground and on pathways at each site and weighed immediately to obtain its fresh weight Two samples will be taken at each pit dug; one sample at two different soil horizons Total Samples… 2 samples at each pit, 2 pits per site, 6 sites in total. Therefore, 24 samples is the goal for this project

Soil Horizon

Hypothesis By analyzing infiltration, bulk density and volumetric water content in soil on regular ground and on man-made pathways, one can conclude whether or not the reduced infiltration rates on pathways could somehow benefit the surrounding environment.

Project Details Sites If time allows, experimentation will be done on regular ground surface and on pathways for all sites If time does not allow, the best pathways will be chosen to experiment on

Equipment Needed Infiltration Rings Mallet Stopwatch 1 2000 mL Graduated Cylinder 1 <1000 mL Graduated Cylinder 2 soil sample cans and trowel 2 Collapsible Water Jugs Shovel Measuring Tape / Ruler Funnel Ziploc Bags With Labels and Sharpie Marker Theta Probe 2 Nails Scale