A transfer-function method for analysing breakthrough data in the time domain of the transport process

A transfer‐function method is proposed to determine transport parameters from solute breakthrough data. The method is based on the assumptions that a linear process governs the transport of solute through soil and that the soil is homogeneous. It needs breakthrough data at two different vertical locations from a pulse input of solute to the soil. The method predicts the response by convoluting the input with the transfer function in the time domain. Solute breakthrough data were measured in unsaturated soil columns by time‐domain reflectometry (TDR). An experimental soil column was placed over a supporting column filled with sandy soil. A constant hanging water table, maintained in the lower column, created suction in the upper column and maintained unsaturated conditions. A solution of calcium chloride (CaCl₂) was spread over the soil in the upper column during steady flow of water in the column. Resident concentrations of solute in terms of electrical conductivity were measured at two depths by TDR sensors. We analysed breakthrough curves of CaCl₂ in 81 experiments to determine the transport parameters in coarse sand, sandy loam soil and clay loam soil by the transfer‐function method. The transport parameters obtained were compared with those determined by the widely used deterministic equilibrium model of the CXTFIT program. The transfer‐function method provided a better fit between the measured and estimated breakthrough curves in almost all cases and resulted in stable values of the parameters. The method is robust against small errors in measurements. It is a mathematically sound and efficient method for analysing breakthrough data.