Soil Saturation Calculator

Soil Saturation Equation:

\[ S (\%) = \frac{V_{water}}{V_{voids}} \times 100 \]

Soil Saturation (S):

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1. What is Soil Saturation?

Soil saturation (S) is the ratio of water volume to the volume of voids in soil, expressed as a percentage. It indicates how much of the pore space in soil is filled with water.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the soil saturation equation:

\[ S (\%) = \frac{V_{water}}{V_{voids}} \times 100 \]

Where:

\( S \) — Soil saturation (%)
\( V_{water} \) — Volume of water in soil (cm³)
\( V_{voids} \) — Volume of voids/pores in soil (cm³)

Explanation: The equation calculates what percentage of the pore space in soil is occupied by water.

3. Importance of Soil Saturation

Details: Soil saturation is crucial for understanding water movement in soil, plant water availability, and predicting potential waterlogging or drought conditions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter water volume and void volume in cm³. Both values must be positive numbers. The result shows the saturation percentage (0-100%).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does 100% saturation mean?
A: 100% saturation means all pore spaces in the soil are filled with water, which may lead to anaerobic conditions.

Q2: What is typical saturation for healthy plants?
A: Most plants thrive at 50-75% saturation, though this varies by plant species and soil type.

Q3: How is void volume measured?
A: Void volume can be calculated from porosity and total soil volume or measured directly in a lab.

Q4: What's the difference between saturation and water content?
A: Water content is the mass of water per mass of dry soil, while saturation is the volume of water relative to pore space.

Q5: Can saturation exceed 100%?
A: Normally no, unless there's measurement error or the soil is swelling beyond its original volume.