Simulation of flow patterns and ion-exchange in soil percolation experiments

Abstract

To study the complex flow of water in soils, the concepts of the residence time theory have been applied. Tritiated water (HTO) was used as a tracer in humus to obtain experimental response curves for a laboratory system and a theoretical flow model was constructed and fitted to the data. The purpose of this work was to establish a flow model for a subsequent ion exchange model (Part II of this paper). Our utlimate goal is to apply the experimental techniques and the models developed to the study of natural systems.