Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2008KY106B

The effect of clay mineralogy on the infiltration capacity of grass lawns

Institute: Kentucky
Year Established: 2008 Start Date: 2008-03-01 End Date: 2009-06-30
Total Federal Funds: $5,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $14,046

Principal Investigators: Samuel Boateng

Project Summary: This study will involve investigating the effect of clay mineralogy on infiltration capacity of soils on the campus of Northern Kentucky University at Highland Heights, Kentucky. A double ring infiltrometer will be used to determine the infiltration rate at each sample site. Soil texture analysis and soil moisture analysis will be completed for samples collected at each site. XRD will be used to determine the clay mineralogy (smectite, kaolinite, and illite) of the soil samples. At least six lawn sites (5 m x 5 m) will be selected for sampling. Understanding the effect of clay mineralogy on infiltration will help the university in managing the irrigation of lawns to avoid excessive rates of irrigation on less permeable soils.