LABORATORY 8

Determination of Soil Water

INTRODUCTION

Water is strongly attracted to soil mineral surfaces, particularly to clays. Dry soil absorb water from the
atmosphere even at low relative humidity, many soils swell when given access to water. Temperatures above
100 ‘C are needed to remove all the water from a soil.

Soils sampled from the field contain water, the amount depending on soil properties and weather
conditions. The water content of soils determined by drying at 105’C which gives oven-dry soil.

Results of soil analysis are normally expressed relative to a mass of oven dry soil.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the amount of water content of different soils.

APPARATUS AND MATERIALS

Oven, electronic balance, evaporating dish, desiccators

PROCEDURES

1. Weigh about 20g of fresh air and air-dried soil into separate evaporating dishes and place in an oven
at 105’C overnight.
2. Cool in desiccators and reweight.
3. Calculate the percentage of water in the samples.

Formula:

1. Weight of air-dried soil =W

2. Weight of oven-dry soil = W1
3. Weight of water = W2-W
4. Percentage of moisture content = W1-W2/W2 x 100
 RESULTS

Table 8.1: Soil water content

Soil Sample Air-dried Oven-dried Weight of water Percentage of water content
Weight (W1) Weight (W2) Content (w1-w2) (W1-W2/W1 x 100)

Fresh Soil

Air-dried Soil

QUESTIONS

1. What is the name of this method of determination? Give two advantages of using this method.

i. Large sample volumes possible

ii. Easy to handling

2. Describe the relationship between soil water content and texture.

Soil texture is important because it controls how well the soil can hold water and absorb it. The water
infiltrates the soil through large pores called micropores which are created by microorganisms, plant
roots, and physical processes like freezing and drying.

3. What is the difference between infiltration and percolation of water through the soil?

Infiltration and percolation are two related but different processes describing the movement of
moisture through soil. Infiltration is defined as the downward entry of water into the soil or rock
surface and percolation is the flow of water through soil and porous or fractured rock.