The use of air‐filled porosity and intrinsic permeability to air to characterize structure of macropore space and saturated hydraulic conductivity of clay soils

SUMMARY Intrinsic permeability to air of macropore space ( k a ) is related to macroporosity (ɛ) and organization of macropore space ( O ). Organization is defined as k a /ɛ. The use of k a for estimating saturated hydraulic conductivity (K a ) is also considered. The relationship between Log ( O ) and ɛ ( O ɛ characteristic) can be used to describe changes to the macropore space of clay soils by amelioration and compaction. The effects of dominant macropore shape can also be identified and calculated as an empirical index of the efficiency of the pore organization E ( E =log ( O )/ɛ). Intrinsic permeability can then be related to E in a E :k a characteristic. Intrinsic permeability is the parameter most sensitive to structural change and E is mainly influenced by the dominant shapes of the macropores. Thus, the E:k a characteristic is suggested as a basis for studying differences in macropore space as may occur in response to external and internal stresses upon the soil and different systems of soil management, for example increases of packing pores by cultivation or of fissures by gypsum application and loss of packing pores by compaction. Empirical data indicate that K s of the B horizons of Australian red‐brown earths can be estimated from k a of macropore space at a standard potential.