Numerical model study of soil water and solute transport under evaporation

The transient-state experiment for the process of solute transport (chloride) in the saturated zone by influence of evaporation and salt accumulation on the column surface have been performed in a silty clay soil column. The results obtained show that salt transport is a significant phenomenon even under moderate evaporation at constant shallow water table. Soil water content and chloride concentration were analyzed across the soil depth and for a period of time. van Genutchten's model was used for calculation of unsaturated and saturated hydraulic conductivity and related parameters. A numerical simulation for the soil water and chloride transports has been carried out. The results of the numerical simulation are compared with the experimental data.