The feasibility of shortwave infrared imaging and inverse numerical modeling for rapid estimation of soil hydraulic properties

Abstract Measurements of the soil water characteristic (SWC) and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity [ K ( h )] curves, which are at core modeling flow transport processes in porous media, laborious prone to experimental errors. To overcome some current limitations, we examined potential feasibility shortwave infrared (SWIR) imaging imbibition into dry during a controlled laboratory experiment conjunction with inverse numerical determine wetting SWC ) function. generate time series high‐resolution surface moisture maps, imaged reflectance was converted via recently developed physical radiative transfer model. The were then used parameterize HYDRUS 2D/3D code for forward simulations. optimization performed simulated annealing MATLAB that linked automate inversion process. obtained curves subsequently compared Tempe cell Dewpoint PotentiaMeter measurements. Although further research refinements proposed method needed, results this exploratory study broad range textures promising demonstrate approach rapid estimation properties.