Geology topics

Alan L. Flint

Publications and source records attributed to Alan L. Flint.

75 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

USGS1991

Use of the Priestley-Taylor evaporation equation for soil water limited conditions in a small forest clearcut

The Priestley-Taylor equation, a simplification of the Penman equation, was used to allow calculations of evapotranspiration under conditions where soil water supply limits evapotranspiration. The Priestley-Taylor coefficient, α, was calculated to incorporate an exponential decrease in evapotranspiration as soil water content decreases. The method is appropriate for use when detailed meteorological measurements are not available. The data required to determine the parameter for the α coefficient are net radiation, soil heat flux, average air temperature, and soil water content. These values can be obtained from measurements or models. The dataset used in this report pertains to a partially vegetated clearcut forest site in southwest Oregon with soil depths ranging from 0.48 to 0.70 m and weathered bedrock below that. Evapotranspiration was estimated using the Bowen ratio method, and the calculated Priestley-Taylor coefficient was fitted to these estimates by nonlinear regression. The calculated Priestley-Taylor coefficient (α′) was found to be approximately 0.9 when the soil was near field capacity (0.225 cm 3 cm −3 ). It was not until soil water content was less than 0.14 cm 3 cm −3 that soil water supply limited evapotranspiration. The soil reached a final residual water content near 0.05 cm 3 cm −3 at the end of the growing season.

Agricultural and Forest Meteorology↗

USGS1991

Collimated neutron probe for soil water content measurements

The use of uncollimated (undirected) neutron moisture meters is common in the biological and geophysical sciences. A collimated neutron probe was designed to enable measurements in specific directions from the access tube. To determine the size and shape of soil volume affecting the neutron counts, experiments were conducted to evaluate: (i) the vertical distance of soil above and below the probe that influences neutron counts, (ii) the horizontal distance away from the probe into the soil that influences neutron counts, (iii) the angle of soil viewed by the probe from the collimator, and (iv) the three-dimensional thermal-neutron density field. The distance and the angular dimensions of the volume of influence were defined as the horizontal distance of neutron penetration from the edge of the probe, the vertical distance above and below the center of the effective measurement point of the probe, and the angle from the center of the probe, which would allow the determination of relative water content to within 95%. The vertical distance was ≈0.5 m, the horizontal distance was ≈0.2 m, and the angle of soil viewed by the probe from the collimator was ≈120°. Thermal neutrons detected from distances or angles larger than these values influence the determination of relative water content by 5% or less.

Soil Science Society of America Journal↗

USGS1987

Calculation of solar radiation in mountainous terrain

A study was performed to assess the accuracy of a daily solar radiation model for horizontal or sloping sites in terrain where surrounding ridges and tall trees block both direct beam and diffuse sky short wave radiation. To simulate adequately the major effects of these environments on radiation, the model incorporated (1) standard treatment of solar geometry (after Harris, 1983); (2) separation of direct and diffuse radiation by considering scattering and absorption due to aerosols, water vapor, air molecules and ozone (after Iqbal, 1983); (3) anisotropy of diffuse radiation modeled as a circumsolar component (15–50% of the total clear sky diffuse) plus an isotropic background; and (4) proper calculation of the proportions of sky radiation and ground reflected radiation sensed by both horizontal and inclined sensors. The model was calibrated using data from both horizontal and inclined pyranometers at six sites over four years. Values for the Ångstrom turbidity coefficient and the percentage of circumsolar diffuse radiation were determined using an iterative best fit technique. Mean monthly values of these coefficients and mean monthly ozone and water vapor concentrations from nearby weather service stations could be used for predicting total, cloud free, daily radiation with acceptable accuracy. Required site measurements include slope, aspect, latitude, longitude, date, time, effective horizon for the site, and an assessment of albedo for the surrounding terrain (including vegetation).

Agricultural and Forest Meteorology↗