Vadose Zone

views updated May 29 2018

Vadose zone

The unsaturated zone between the land surface and the water table . The vadose zone (from the Latin vadosus, meaning shallow) includes the soil-water zone, intermediate vadose zone, and capillary fringe. The pore space contains air, water, and other fluids under pressure, which is less than atmospheric pressure. Thus, the water is held to the soil particles by forces that are greater than the force of gravity. Saturated zones, such as perched groundwater aquifers, may exist in the vadose zone and water pressure within these zones is greater than atmospheric pressure.

See also Recharge zone; Zone of saturation

Environmental Encyclopedia

vadose zone

views updated May 14 2018
A Dictionary of Ecology MICHAEL ALLABY

vadose zone

views updated May 08 2018

vadose zone See PHREATIC ZONE; and SOIL-WATER ZONE.

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY

vadose zone

views updated May 23 2018

vadose zone See WATER TABLE.

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences MICHAEL ALLABY

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