Field hydraulic conducfivity of some malaysian peat

Abstract

Field measurements on the hydraulic conductivity (K) of several developed and undeveloped peat soils using auger hole method were conducted. Developed deep peat has hydraulic conductivity values in the range of 6.32x1O·' to 4.44 x 10"' (0.55 to 3.84 mid). The studies also indicated that developed shallow peathas a conductivity value of 5.55xlO-4 to 5.67x1O'3 cmls (0.48 to 4.90 mid), while shallow undeveloped peat K value was in the range of 9.24x1O" to l.92xl 0.3COlis (0.80 to 1.66 mid). The values of peat hydraulic conductivity's were found to be difficult to relate with their depth anddevelopment stages. This is because a number of uncertain variables such as the capillary potential, the existence of macro and micro-pores and their tortuosity aredifficult to measure. These variablescan definitely contribute to the K value of peat