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Steel rod oxidation as a hydrologic indicator in wetland soils

Publication ,  Journal Article
Bridgham, SD; Faulkner, SP; Richardson, CJ
Published in: Soil Science Society of America Journal
January 1, 1991

Depth of rusting on steel rods has been proposed as an inexpensive means of determining depth to the water table and the reducing zone in wetland soils. The suitability of steel-rod oxidation as a hydrologic indicator in wetland soils was tested in a series of laboratory and field experiments in both Histosols and a mineral soil (Typic Fluvaquent). In laboratory microcosms, the steel-rod rusting depth exactly matched water-table levels under both permanently flooded and drained conditions. But under a rapidly fluctuating hydrology, once heavy rust formed on the rods it did not dissolve upon partial re-flooding. Field experiments showed a good correspondence between steel-rod rusting depth and water-table depth under both relatively constant and seasonally changing hydrology in Histosols (r2 = 0.80, slope = 0.81). In the Typic Fluvaquent, a close correspondence between steel-rod rusting depth and water-table depth occurred under relatively constant hydrological conditions but, with a rapidly dropping water table, rod oxidation showed a lag period in response. We conclude that the steel-rod technique is valuable as a hydrologic indicator of the reducing zone in basic science studies. We recommend frequent sampling (monthly) and the use of other hydrological measures to ensure unambiguous results. The technique is unsuitable for jurisdictional delineation in areas with a fluctuating hydrology due to prolonged lag periods in rod oxidation under some conditions and the inability of previously formed rust to dissolve upon reflooding.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Soil Science Society of America Journal

DOI

ISSN

0361-5995

Publication Date

January 1, 1991

Volume

55

Issue

3

Start / End Page

856 / 862

Related Subject Headings

  • Agronomy & Agriculture
  • 41 Environmental sciences
  • 31 Biological sciences
  • 30 Agricultural, veterinary and food sciences
  • 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
  • 05 Environmental Sciences
 

Citation

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Bridgham, S. D., Faulkner, S. P., & Richardson, C. J. (1991). Steel rod oxidation as a hydrologic indicator in wetland soils. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 55(3), 856–862. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1991.03615995005500030039x
Bridgham, S. D., S. P. Faulkner, and C. J. Richardson. “Steel rod oxidation as a hydrologic indicator in wetland soils.” Soil Science Society of America Journal 55, no. 3 (January 1, 1991): 856–62. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1991.03615995005500030039x.
Bridgham SD, Faulkner SP, Richardson CJ. Steel rod oxidation as a hydrologic indicator in wetland soils. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 1991 Jan 1;55(3):856–62.
Bridgham, S. D., et al. “Steel rod oxidation as a hydrologic indicator in wetland soils.” Soil Science Society of America Journal, vol. 55, no. 3, Jan. 1991, pp. 856–62. Scopus, doi:10.2136/sssaj1991.03615995005500030039x.
Bridgham SD, Faulkner SP, Richardson CJ. Steel rod oxidation as a hydrologic indicator in wetland soils. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 1991 Jan 1;55(3):856–862.

Published In

Soil Science Society of America Journal

DOI

ISSN

0361-5995

Publication Date

January 1, 1991

Volume

55

Issue

3

Start / End Page

856 / 862

Related Subject Headings

  • Agronomy & Agriculture
  • 41 Environmental sciences
  • 31 Biological sciences
  • 30 Agricultural, veterinary and food sciences
  • 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
  • 05 Environmental Sciences