Measurement instruments for hydraulic and pneumatic conductivity
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The saturated water conductivity kf specifies the water volume which flows through a specific area with a specific gradient per time unit. The pneumatic conductivity is the equivalent value for gases. Both are physical parameters of the soil which provide information in particular on structure, pore continuity and tortuosity of a soil. In addition to the potential gradient, the kf value is the decisive parameter in the determination of flow density in saturated porous media (DARCY Law). Usually, the saturated hydraulic conductivity is not determined directly but rather values from which the saturated conductivity may be calculated, such as the infiltration speed or the water content in known soil moisture tension gradients.
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