DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INFILTRATION PERCOLATION AND SEEPAGE

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INFILTRATION PERCOLATION AND SEEPAGE

Infiltration

It is the process by which water enters the soil from ground surface, usually fast at beginning and slow at later stages. Infiltration takes place at uppermost stratum of soil and movement is vertical.

In other words, when water enters the ground surface but doesn’t come out thus increasing the moisture content of the soil.

• The downward movement of water through the surface of the soil.
• Occurs closer to the soil surface and near the root zones of plants.
• Replenishes soil moisture deficiency.
• It is measured in inches per hour or millimetres per hour.

Percolation 

It is the process by which a liquid slowly passes through a filter. When water enters the ground surface and travels through the soil to finally join the ground water reserves. Percolation happens at deeper depth when water move vertically to join water table.

• The process of filtering in-filtered water through soil particles and porous materials.
• In between unsaturated zone and the saturated zone of the soil.
• Replenish underground water.
• Usually slower compared to infiltration.

Seepage 

It is the process of seeping by which a liquid leaks through a porous substance. Thus, water seepage occurs through a porous soil. Movement of water is not restricted to vertical direction only as in above two cases.

• When water enters the ground surface at the upstream side of a retaining structure like a dam and comes out at the downstream side.
• Slowest among the three.

Read more…
SEEPAGE MEANING, CAUSES & CONTROL
SOIL PROFILE- DIFFERENT HORIZONS
SOIL STRUCTURE-DEFINITION, FORMATION & TYPES
FORMATION OF SOIL-PROCESS & FACTOR OF SOIL FORMATION