Software for micromorphometric characterization of soil pores obtained from 2-D image analysis

ABSTRACT Studies of soil porosity through image analysis are important to an understanding of how the soil functions. However, the lack of a simplified methodology for the quantification of the shape, number, and size of soil pores has limited the use of information extracted from images. The present work proposes a software program for the quantification and characterization of soil porosity from data derived from 2-D images. The user-friendly software was developed in C++ and allows for the classification of pores in terms of size, shape, and combinations of size and shape. Using raw data generated by image analysis systems, the software calculates the following parameters for the characterization of soil porosity: total area of pore (Tap), number of pores, pore shape, pore shape and pore area, and pore shape and equivalent pore diameter (EqDiam). In this paper, the input file with the raw soil porosity data was generated using the Noesis Visilog 5.4 image analysis system; however other image analysis programs can be used, in which case, the input file requires a standard format to permit processing by this software. The software also shows the descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, variance, and the coefficient of variation) of the parameters considering the total number of images evaluated. The results show that the software is a complementary tool to any analysis of soil porosity, allowing for a precise and quick analysis

Caractérisation de la macroporosité d'un sol de verger par analyse d'image

L'analyse d'images est utilisée pour décrire la macroporosité d'un sol sous plantation de pommiers. À partir d'échantillons naturels de sols imprégnés dans une résine de polyester, la méthode fait appel à une technique de seuillage localisé permettant de distinguer la macroporosité de la matrice de sol. Les macropores individualisés sont ensuite caractérisés par 3 paramètres permettant d'estimer leur taille, leur forme et leur orientation. L'analyse porale de 5 niveaux du sol étudié met en évidence des différences que les mesures physiques de porosimétrie n'avaient pas fait apparaître : le profil montre une évolution des caractéristiques macroporales, apparaissant clairement sur les histogrammes construits selon les paramètres morphologiques. Les conséquences sur la pénétration des racines et sur les conditions de transfert de l'eau sont discutées. On montre ainsi l'intérêt d'une analyse morphologique incluant taille, forme et orientation des pores pour l'étude du comportement agronomique d'un solImage analysis of the macroporosity of an orchard soil. In order to study the macroporosity of a soil of an apple orchard, image analysis was applied to soil samples impregnated with a polyester resin. The method is based on local thresholding which allows macropores and soil matrix to be distinguished. Three parameters were used for pore identification: size, shape and orientation. The porosity analysis of 5 levels in the soil allowed differences to be distinguished which were not found with physical measurements. Changes in pore characteristics were clearly distinguishable on histograms of the soil profile. Consequences of the penetration of roots and water in the soil have been discussed. Size, shape and orientation of pores could be used to predict the agronomic behaviour of the soil

Effet des TCSL sur la circulation de l'eau

Effet des TCSL sur la circulation de l'ea