Rr. Filgueira et al., Comparison of fractal dimensions estimated from aggregate mass-size distribution and water retention scaling, SOIL SCI, 164(4), 1999, pp. 217-223
Relating soil structure to soil hydraulic properties is an important issue
for understanding and managing soil functioning. Fractal models were applie
d to relate soil water retention and soil structure. One such model develop
ed by Rieu and Sposito (1991a) predicts an equality of(i) soil matrix fract
al dimensions derived from 'aggregate bulk density- aggregate size data' an
d (ii) soil fractal dimensions derived from water retention. The objective
of this work was to test the statistical hypothesis of such equality for mo
del soil systems of packed soil aggregates. Typic Argiudol and Typic Argiaq
uol soils were sampled at eight locations that differed in long-term manage
ment practices, Soil water retention was measured at 12 levels of soil matr
ic potential ranging from -1200 to -20 kPa, The 'aggregate hulk density-agg
regate size' data were obtained for seven ranges of aggregate sizes from 0.
25 to 16 mm, The statistical hypothesis about the equality of mass fractal
dimension as derived from the aggregate bulk density data and the scaling d
imension of water retention could not be rejected in our study.