Estimation of actual evapotranspiration by numerical modeling of water flow in the unsaturated zone: a case study in Buenos Aires, Argentina
A method is presented to estimate actual evapotranspiration (ET<sub>A</sub>) from potential evapotranspiration (ET<sub>P</sub>) by numerical modeling of water flow in the unsaturated zone. Water flow is described by the Richards equation with a sink term representing the root...
Guardado en:
| Autores principales: | , |
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| Formato: | Articulo |
| Lenguaje: | Inglés |
| Publicado: |
2009
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| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/131753 |
| Aporte de: |
| Sumario: | A method is presented to estimate actual evapotranspiration (ET<sub>A</sub>) from potential evapotranspiration (ET<sub>P</sub>) by numerical modeling of water flow in the unsaturated zone. Water flow is described by the Richards equation with a sink term representing the root water uptake. Evaporation is included in the model as a Neumann boundary condition at the soil surface. The Richards equation is solved in a one-dimensional domain using a mixed finite element method. The values of ET<sub>A</sub> are obtained by applying a water stress factor to ET<sub>P</sub> to account for soil moisture changes during the simulation period. The proposed numerical model is used to estimate ET<sub>A</sub> in an experimental plot located in a flatland area in Buenos Aires (Argentina). Numerical results show that the proposed model is a useful tool for evaluating evapotranspiration under different scenarios. |
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