Abstract
Soil heat flux is an important component of the Surface Energy Balance (SEB) equation. Measuring it require an indirect measurement. Every used technique may present some possible errors tied with each specific technique, soil inhomogeneities or physicals phenomenon such as latent heat conversion beneath the plates especially in a desiccation cracking soil or vertisol. The installation place may also induce imbalances. Finally, some errors resulting from the physical sensor presence, vegetation presence or soil inhomogeneities may occur and are not avoidable. For all these reasons it is important to check the validity of the measurements. One quick and easy way is to integrate results during one year. The corresponding integration should be close to zero after a necessary geothermal heat efflux subtraction which should be included into the SEB equation for long term integrations. However, below plate evaporation and vegetation absorbed water or rainfall water the infiltration may also contribute to the observed short scale or/and long scale imbalance. Another energy source is usually not included in the SEB equation: the rainfall or irrigation. Yet its importance for a short- and long-term integration is notable. As an example, the most used sensors: Soil Heat Flux Plates (SHFP), is given.
Highlights
On the surface of the soil, a daytime solar radiation and nighttime soil infrared radiation generates an important heat flow called G
Soil heat flux is an important component of the Surface Energy Balance (SEB) equation
These plates are subject to biases and errors. Some of these errors are specific to the heat flux plate technology, others are rather specific to the surface exchanges and soil inhomogeneities
Summary
On the surface of the soil, a daytime solar radiation and nighttime soil infrared radiation generates an important heat flow called G. One of the most used technique is the SHFP buried in the soil As every sensor, these plates are subject to biases and errors. These plates are subject to biases and errors Some of these errors are specific to the heat flux plate technology, others are rather specific to the surface exchanges and soil inhomogeneities. SHFP sensing temperature difference across their thickness This temperature difference is proportional to the heat flux going through the plate and inversely proportional to the plate thermal conductance. The measurement of SHFP buried at some depth need to be completed by adding the upper soil layer heat storage in order to obtain surface soil heat flux (Ochsner et al, 2007). As the soil heat plates are sensing only sensible heat fluxes by conduction, any evaporation taking place under the plate is not sensed causing an imbalance of up to 100W/m2 (Buchan, 1989, Mayocchi and Bristow, 1995)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
