Moret‐Fernández et al. (2026) Spatial and temporal indicators of soil hydrodynamic response: the capillarity-gravity length and gravimetric time

Identification

• Journal: Journal of Hydrology
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-06-29
• Authors: David Moret‐Fernández, Jaume Tormo, J.J. Jiménez, Borja Latorre
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2026.135951

Research Groups

• Estació Experimental de Aula Dei, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (EEAD-CSIC)
• Technical School and Environmental Sciences Institute, University of Zaragoza
• Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPE-CSIC)

Short Summary

This study introduces two indicators, the capillarity-gravity length (λ) and gravimetric time (tgrav), to predict the hydrodynamic response of porous media. These indices are based on different relationships between saturated sorptivity (S) and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks).

Objective

• Investigate the hydrodynamic behavior of various porous media using λ and tgrav indicators.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Laboratory and field experiments at local scales.
• Temporal Scale: Short-term infiltration measurements, with durations ranging from a few seconds to several minutes.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Quasi-exact implicit (QEI) model of Haverkamp et al. (1994), van Genuchten (1980) water retention curve model.
• Data sources: Laboratory measurements using tension disc infiltrometer, field experiments in two regions with different aridity gradients.

Main Results

• λ and tgrav values were calculated for various porous media, including concretes, sand, sieved loam soil, undisturbed loam soil cores, hydrophobic substrates, and seeds.
• The relationship between Ks vs. S2 and Ks 2 vs. S2 was examined to understand the influence of Ks and S on the hydrodynamic response across different materials.
• Significant differences were observed between the various substrates, with hydrophobic substrates and seeds showing the lowest and highest values for λ and tgrav, respectively.

Contributions

• This study provides a new approach to understanding the hydrodynamic behavior of porous media using λ and tgrav indicators.
• The results highlight the importance of considering both capillary and gravity-driven flow in predicting the hydrodynamic response of porous media.

Funding

• This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MCIU) through project PID2019-108063RB-I00.

Citation

@article{MoretFernández2026Spatial,
  author = {Moret‐Fernández, David and Tormo, Jaume and Jiménez, J.J. and Latorre, Borja},
  title = {Spatial and temporal indicators of soil hydrodynamic response: the capillarity-gravity length and gravimetric time},
  journal = {Journal of Hydrology},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/j.jhydrol.2026.135951},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2026.135951}
}