1. Research Project Proposal
How Infiltration Rates on Soil
Differ From Infiltration
Rates on Soil Pathways

2. Why???
The purpose of this research is to determine the effect that man-made pathways have on infiltration and if strategically locating these pathways is beneficial to the surrounding environment

3. Infiltration…
Infiltration is the process by which water penetrates into soil from the ground surface
It is controlled by: type of precipitation, soil properties, soil porosity, slope, vegetation, soil compaction and pre-existing soil moisture

4. Project Goals
Determine Infiltration Rates on Regular Ground and on Pathways
Determine Difference in Bulk Density and Volumetric Water Content of Soil on Regular Ground and on Pathways
Determining Bulk Density and Volumetric Water Content...
The Soil Samples will be taken back to the lab and dried out. They will then be weighed and compared to their fresh weight.

5. Pathway Examples

6. Soil Samples
Soil samples will be taken on regular ground and on pathways at each site and weighed immediately to obtain its fresh weight
Two samples will be taken at each pit dug; one sample at two different soil horizons
Total Samples…
2 samples at each pit, 2 pits per site, 6 sites in total.
Therefore, 24 samples is the goal for this project

7. Soil Horizon

8. Hypothesis
By analyzing infiltration, bulk density and volumetric water content in soil on regular ground and on man-made pathways, one can conclude whether or not the reduced infiltration rates on pathways could somehow benefit the surrounding environment.

9. Project Details
Sites
If time allows, experimentation will be done on regular ground surface and on pathways for all sites
If time does not allow, the best pathways will be chosen to experiment on

10. Equipment Needed Infiltration Rings Mallet Stopwatch
mL Graduated Cylinder
1 <1000 mL Graduated Cylinder
2 soil sample cans and trowel
2 Collapsible Water Jugs
Shovel
Measuring Tape / Ruler
Funnel
Ziploc Bags With Labels and Sharpie Marker
Theta Probe
2 Nails
Scale