What Does
Soil Moisture Mean?
Soil moisture refers to the amount of water contained within a soil sample. The moisture content of a soil is an indicator of the degree of saturation of the specimen and is represented by the ratio of the mass of water to the mass of solids in the soil sample.
Soil moisture content plays an essential role in groundwater recharge and soil chemistry. The region where soil moisture and air coexist, also known as the zone of aeration, is especially crucial in the assessment of corrosion in metal piping.
Corrosionpedia Explains Soil Moisture
Soil is comprised of masses of irregular-shaped particles (solids) of various sizes. Between these particles exist voids (pores or spaces) where water is free to accumulate. The water present in these voids make up the mass of water in the soil and directly influences the soil moisture content.
Soil moisture content may be expressed as a percentage using the following equation:
w = Mw/Ms x 100
Where:
w = moisture content of the soil (%)
Mw = mass of water in the soil sample
Ms = mass of solids in the soil sample