Comparison of infiltration rates measured with an infiltrometer, a rainulator and a permeameter for erosion research in SE Nigeria

Abstract

The infiltration curve is an important characteristic in research on soil erosion in particular on surface erosion. A high infiltration rate, which prevents surface flow, reduces or can prevent soil erosion. We compared infiltration rates measured with a Double Ring Infiltrometer (infiltrometer), a Portable Rainfall Simulator (rainulator) and a Constant Head Permeameter (permeameter). The experiments were conducted in the EEC-sponsored Erosion Research Project in Owerri, South Eastern Nigeria. Based on our measurements we conclude that for research on soil erosion the rainulator is the most suitable method of the three, in terms of realistic results. The infiltrometer yielded too high infiltration rates. The permeameter gives a spatial average measurement and has the advantage that no water is required in the field, and one person can take the samples, which makes the method practical in remote regions.