Question

Calculate the soil water storage in \(\mathrm{mm}\) for a \(60 \mathrm{~cm}\) deep soil profile in which the A horizon is \(25 \mathrm{~cm}\) thick and has a volumetric water content of \(0.25 \mathrm{~cm}^{3} \mathrm{~cm}^{-3}\) and the \(\mathrm{B}\) horizon is \(35 \mathrm{~cm}\) thick and has a volumetric water content of \(0.35 \mathrm{~cm}^{3}\) \(\mathrm{cm}^{-3}\)

Short answer

Answer: The total soil water storage in the given 60 cm deep soil profile is 185 mm.

Step-by-step solution

Calculate the water storage in the A horizon

To find the water storage in the A horizon, we need to multiply the thickness of the horizon (25 cm) by the volumetric water content (0.25 cm³/cm³). This will give us the water storage in cm, which we then need to convert to mm by multiplying by 10. Water storage in A horizon = (thickness in cm) × (volumetric water content) × (conversion factor) Water storage in A horizon = (25 cm) × (0.25 cm³/cm³) × 10 Water storage in A horizon = 62.5 mm

Calculate the water storage in the B horizon

Similar to step 1, we will also calculate the water storage in the B horizon by multiplying its thickness (35 cm) by the volumetric water content (0.35 cm³/cm³), and then converting it to mm. Water storage in B horizon = (thickness in cm) × (volumetric water content) × (conversion factor) Water storage in B horizon = (35 cm) × (0.35 cm³/cm³) × 10 Water storage in B horizon = 122.5 mm

Calculate the total soil water storage

To find the total soil water storage, we just need to add the water storage in the A and B horizons: Total soil water storage = Water storage in A horizon + Water storage in B horizon Total soil water storage = 62.5 mm + 122.5 mm Total soil water storage = 185 mm The total soil water storage in this 60 cm deep soil profile is 185 mm.