Co-Authors:
Enoch, H., Department of Soils and Water, The Volcani Institute of Agricultural Research, Bet-Dagan, Israel
Dasberg, S., Department of Soils and Water, The Volcani Institute of Agricultural Research, Bet-Dagan, Israel
Abstract:
The air composition was measured in soil columns with different textures. Carbon dioxide concentrations exceeding 40 volume percent were found above the capillary fringe in soil columns with stagnating water tables. As the clay content of the soil decreased, the level of maximum CO2 concentration was found to occur at increasing depth below the surface. The very high CO2 concentrations found are explained as being due to the release of CO2 during evaporation of water, the high solubility of CO2 in soil water and the high rate of microbiological activity. © 1971.