TitleThe effect of permeability of soil to the growth of plant.AbstractIn this project, I want to determine the permeability of each type of soilby constant head permeability test. I will find the hydraulic conductivity of each soil as the hydraulic conductivity is similar(proportional) to permeabilityof soil. Although hydraulic conductivity take the type of liquid used into consideration while permeability does not, we just use only a type of liquid that iswater, so we can ignore the permeability of different types of liquid. Besides Ialso want to find the relationship between the permeability (hydraulic conductivity) of soil and the growth of some plants. I will observe a few types of plants growing in different types of soil. To observe which type of soil is suitablefor each plant, I will measure the dry mass of each plant from different typesof soil after a few weeks. The higher the dry mass of the plant, the better theygrow.IntroductionThe constant head permeability test is a common laboratory testing methodused to determine the permeability of granular soils like sands and gravels containing little or no silt. This testing method is made for testing reconstitutedor disturbed granular soil samples.Dry mass is a reliable measure of the biomass (as opposed to fresh mass).I It also refer to as the mass of dry matter of a sample or of an object when completely dried (lacks or excluding water). Since plants have a high compositionof water and the level of water in a plant will depend on the amount of water inits environment (which is very difficult to control), using dry weight as a measure of plant growth tends to be more reliable.Problem statementWhat is the effect of permeability of soil on the growing of plants?ObjectiveTo determine the hydraulic conductivity(permeability) of each soil sample and observe the growth of plants in each soil sample. The growthof plants is indicatedby dry mass of plants.MethodologyMaterials: Permeameter, Tamper, Balance, Scoop, 1000 mL Graduated. cylinders, Watch (or Stopwatch), Thermometer, Filter paper, plant seedlings, soil samples, pan, porous stone, oven.(First step : to determine the permeability of soil)Measure the mass of the pan along with the soil sample. (M1).Remove the cap and upper chamber of the permeameter by unscrewing the knurled cap nuts and lifting them off the tie rods. Measuring the inside diameter of upperand lower chambers. Calculate the average inside diameter of the permeameter (D).Place one porous stone on the inner support ring in the base of the chamber thenplace a filter paper on top of the porous stone.Mix the soil with a sufficient quantityof distilled water to prevent the segregationof particle sizes during placement into the permeameter. Enough water shouldbe added so that the mixture may flow freely.Using a scoop, pour the prepared soil into the lower chamber using a circular motion to fill it to a depth of 1.5 cm. A uniform layer should be formed.Used the tamping device to compact the layer of soil. Use approximately ten ramsof the tamper per layer and provide uniform coverageof the soil surface. Repeatthe compaction procedure until the soil is within 2 cm of the top of the lowerchamber section.Replace the upper chamber section, and don't forget the rubber gasket that goesbetween the chamber sections. Be careful not to disturb the soil that has already been compacted. Continue the placement operation until the level of soil us about 2 cm below the rim of the upper chamber. Level the top surface of the soiland place a filter paper and then the upper porous pot on it.Place the compression spring on the porous stone and replace the chambercap andits sealing gasket. Secure the cap firmly with the cap nuts.Measure the sample length at four locations around the citcumference of the permeameter and compute the average length. Record it as the same lenKeep the pan with remainingsoil in the drying oven.Adjust the level of the funnel to allow the constant water level in it to remaina few inches above the top of the soil.Connect the flexible tube from the tail of the funnel to the bottom outlet of the permeameter and keep the valves on the top of the permeameter open.Place tubing from the top outlet to the sink to collect any water that may comeout.Open the bottom valve and allow the water to flow into the permeameter.As soon as the water begins to flow out of the top control(deairing) valve, close the control valve, letting water flow out of the outlet for some time.Close the bottom outlet valve and disconnect th3 tubing at the bottom. Connect the funnel tubing to the top side port.Open the bottom outlet valve and raise the funnel to a convenient height to geta reasonable steady flow of water.Allow adequate time for the flow pattern to stabilize.Measure the time it takes to fill a volume of 750 to 1000 ml using the graduatedcylinder, and then measure the temperature of the water. Repeat this process three times and compute the average time, average volume and average temperature.Record the values as t, Q, and T, respectively.Measure the vertical distance between the funnel head level and the chamber outflow level, and record the distance as h.Repeat step 17 and 18 with different vertical distances.Remove the pan from tge drying oven snd measure the final mass of the pan alongwith the dry soil (M2).Calculate the permeability, using the following equation:KT=QL/AthWhere:KT = coefficient of permeability at temperature T, cm/sec.L = length of specimen in cmt = time for discharge in secondsQ = volume of discharge in cm3 (assume 1ml = 1cm3)A = cross sectional area of permeameter [ =(/4)D2, D=inside diameter of the ermeameter)h = hydraulic head difference across length L, in cm of water; or it is equal tothe vertical distance between the constant funnel head level and the chamber outflow level.24.The viscosity of water changes with tem erature. As tem erature increase viscosity decreases and the ermeability is standardizedat 20oC, and the ermeability at any tem erature T is related to K20 by the following ratio :K20 = KT(T/T)Were:T and 20 are te viscosities at temperature T of te test and at 20oC, respectively.25.Compute te volume of soil used from: V= LA.26.Compute te mass of dry soil used in permeameter(M) = initial mass - final mass:M = M1 - M227.Compute te dry density(d) of soild = M/VBibliogaphyEngineeing Popeties of Soils Based on Laboatoy Testing Pof. Kishna Reddy,UIChttp://www.sciencebuddies.og/science-fai-pojects/poject_ideas/PlantBio_measuing_gowth.shtmlwww.uic.edu/classes/cemm/cemmlab/Expeiment%2010-Pemeability.pdf