Effects of Clay Type and Content, Exchangeable Sodium Percentage, and Electrolyte Concentration on Clay Dispersion and Soil Hydraulic Conductivity

Abstract

The hydraulic conductivities and gradients along soil columns packed with montmorillonitic, vermiculitic, and kaolinitic soils adjusted to different levels of exchangeable sodium were determined at different salt concentrations. The data show that plugging of pores by dispersed clay particles is a major cause of reduced soil hydraulic conductivity for surface soils irrigated with sodic waters.