Soil Infiltration and Runoff  Coursework Example

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Assignment: SCI103 Phase 3 Lab Report
Title: Soil Infiltration and Runoff
Abstract
Water infiltration and water runoff on the surface depends on the type of soil in which the water passes. For instance, the porous soil has a high rate of infiltration, and therefore the level of runoff reduces and also the level of sedimentation equally reduces. The infiltration also increases as a result of the vegetation that that exists on the soil. The presence of vegetation increase the drainage rate since the water is absorbed by the roots of the plant and also the aeration is improved by the plant roots. The vegetations also reduce the rate of surface runoff since they act as obstacles to the flowing water. Similarly, the intensity at which the raindrop hits the surface of the land is reduced in the areas where the there is vegetation since the leaves of the plants act as the barriers to direct splash on the soil hence reducing the surface erosion of the soil as well.
Part I: Field Research
Section 1: Gather the following information from field research while in the Phase 3 lab environment. Notice that each site you visit has a distinctly different surface, which could affect runoff.
One Inch of Rainfall Shallow water infiltration Deep water infiltration Runoff water Evaporation water
Vegetation 0.25 0.25 0.10 0.40
Mountain 0.10 0.05 0.60 0.25
Bare soil 0.20 0.15 0.35 0.30
Section 2: One inch of rainfall deposits 144 cubic inches (0.623 gallons) of water per square foot of surface area.

Use the following formula to calculate the amount of water after one inch of rainfall (in gallons) for each section:
(0.623) x (square feet of surface area) x (% from lab demo*) = gallons of water
*Remember 40% is written as “0.40” in an equation.
One Inch of Rainfall Shallow water infiltration Deep water infiltration Runoff water Evaporation water
Vegetation 15.575 15.575 6.23 24.92
Mountain 6.23 3.115 37.38 15.575
Bare soil 12.46 9.345 21.805 18.69
Part II: For the following questions, provide your response in short-answer format (3–5 sentences each). Use this Phase’s activities and resources to assist you in answering.
1. How does the vegetation surface type affect the amount of runoff? Speculate why this happens.
A surface with vegetation will affect the surface runoff of water since the vegetation increase the ability of water to be absorbed. And also the vegetation has roots that increase the absorption because the plant also use the water to conduct some of the processes that occur in the such as transpiration.
2. How does the smooth mountain rock surface type affect the amount of runoff? Speculate why this happens.
Rocks do have very fine particles that are nonporous in nature, and therefore it is very difficult for water to go through these particles hence much runoff is experienced. Precipitation can mostly flow freely through the rock surface without being impeded.
3. How does the bare soil surface type affect the amount of runoff? Speculate why this happens.
The bare soil without vegetation has increased rate of runoff since the absorption of normally becomes low when the obstacles to reduce the speed of flow doesn’t exist. Rain can compact the bare soil, and this can also cause an increase in runoff.
4. How does vegetation slow and prevent sediment loss?
Vegetation lowers the rate of sediment loss since the runoff percentage becomes limited in areas where there are higher rate infiltrations (“Infiltration Vs. Runoff” Np). Root systems, leaves, and foliage can help to slow down both precipitation and sediment loss.
5. How does vegetation allow greater infiltration?
Vegetation allows for greater infiltration due to the openings in the soil caused by the root systems of the plants. The vegetation also reduces the rate at which the raindrops hit the ground thereby lowering the compaction rate of the soil.
6. How does pavement or smooth rock runoff affect waterways?
Pavement and/or smooth rock surfaces do not allow for excess water to be absorbed into the ground (“Infiltration Vs. Runoff” Np). This, therefore, increases the rate of runoff on the surface and therefore increasing the rate of erosion on the waterways.
7. How do heavy sediment deposits affect waterways?
The accumulation of sediment deposits can lead to the filling of drainage ditches, streams, lakes, and other waterways. The collection of sediments also result in the reduction of the speed of the runoff, and it can also make the stream to change direction.
8. How does sediment loss affect land and soil quality?
The loss of sediments makes the land to be barren without fertility. And therefore it becomes unproductive for agriculture. On the other hand, washing away of the sediments result in soil erosion hence the formation of ditches on the waterways.
Work Cited
“Infiltration Vs. Runoff.” Sare.org. N.p., 2012. Web. 7 Mar. 2018.