Seasonal Moisture-Temperature Distributions in Mined Podzolic Soil

摘要

This investigation is part of a continuing study of soil moisture-temperature properties and phenomena significant to the detection of buried mines and explosives. The report concludes: (a) In a heavy clay podzolic soil in a mid-latitude humid zone: (1) The moisture distribution in the soil around a mine differs from that in undisturbed soil. In the soil above the mine, there is normally a moisture deficiency, except during conditions of saturation. (2) During late spring, summer, and early fall, and when the moisture content approaches saturation, the temperatures in the soil above the mine and in undisturbed soil at the same depth are generally about the same, day or night. When the moisture content of the soil above the mine is lower than in undisturbed soil at the same depth, the temperature of the soil above the mine rises more rapidly during daylight hours than in undisturbed soils at the same depth, reaching a higher peak temperature than undisturbed soil in the early afternoon. During night hours, the soil above the mine cools more rapidly and may drop to a lower temperature than will undisturbed soil at the same depth. (3) When the soil moisture content approaches saturation during late fall, winter, and early spring conditions, the temperatures are about the same or lower in the soil above the mine relative to undisturbed soil at the same depth. (b) Moisture-temperature relationships in other major soil groups cannot be deduced from these studies but will require extended investigations. (Author)