Evaluation of soil thermal diffusivity algorithms at two equatorial sites in West Africa

• Main Authors: Taofeek Abiodun Otunla, Ezekiel Oluyemi Oladiran
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) 2013-04-01
• Series: Annals of Geophysics
• Subjects: Thermal diffusivity; Soil temperature; Soil moisture content; West Africa
• Online Access: http://www.annalsofgeophysics.eu/index.php/annals/article/view/6170

<p>This study presents comparisons between six algorithms used in the calculation of apparent thermal diffusivity (K_h) of the topsoil during measurement campaigns conducted at two equatorial sites. It further investigates the effects of transient and seasonal variations in soil moisture content (theta) on the estimation of K_h. The data used comprise soil temperatures (T) measured at depths of 0.05 m and 0.10 m, and theta within the period of transition from the dry season to the wet season at Ile Ife (7.55˚ N, 4.55˚ E), and for the peak of the wet season at Ibadan (7.44˚ N, 3.90˚ E). The thermal diffusivity, K_h, was calculated from six algorithms, of: harmonic, arctangent, logarithmic, amplitude, phase, and conduction-convection. The reliability of these algorithms was tested using their values to model T at a depth of 0.10 m, where direct measurements were available. The algorithms were further evaluated with statistical indices, including the empirical probability distribution function of the differences between the measured and modeled temperatures ([delta capitalized]T). The maximum absolute values of [delta capitalized]T for the six algorithms investigated were: 0.5˚C, 0.5˚C, 0.5˚C, 1˚C, 1˚C and 1˚C, respectively. K_h showed an increasing trend as theta increased from the dry season to the peak of the wet season, with R² = 0.70 for the harmonic algorithm. The accuracy of all of the algorithms in modeling T reduced with transient variations of theta. The harmonic, arctangent and logarithmic algorithms were the most appropriate for calculating K_h for the region of study. The empirical relation between theta and K_h and the values of K_h obtained in this study can be used to improve the accuracy of meteorological and hydrological models.</p>