Thorough wetting and drainage of a peat lysimeter in a climate change scenario

摘要: A peat deposit (Zennare basin, Venice coastland, Italy) was monitored in previous field studies to investigate the hydrological response of organic soil meteorological dynamics. Field tests and modelling predictions highlighted risk complete loss this layer during next 50 years, due oxidation enhanced by increased frequency warmer periods. Unfortunately, despite considerable impacts that are expected affect bogs (in area worldwide), only a few experimental have been carried out assess hydrologic severe water scarcity. Because that, an undisturbed 0.7 m³ monolith collected, transferred laboratory instrumented. The total weight (representative content dynamics as whole), two vertical profiles matric potentials were controlled water‐scarce conditions. After extended air‐drying period, used lysimeter cycle wetting drainage performed. Supplementary measurements potential ψ θ collected testing subsamples on suction table apparatus. set retention curves determined range broader (ψ down −7 m) than current natural conditions (minimum = −1 m). While at saturation showed values similar those original (θ ≅ 0.8), remarkable holding capacity (even for low potentials) has highlighted, especially deep layers now permanently below table. changed shape values, with more pronounced hysteresis visible increasing distance between drying data. Hydraulic non‐equilibrium could be possible cause it is worth future studies. parameters van Genuchten obtained phases.