Effect of different earth surface treatments on sub-soil temperatures

Abstract

The effect of different earth surface treatments for lowering the subsurface earth temperature has been experimentally investigated. The surface treatments studied include lime covered surface, stone covered surface and tree bark covered surface. The effects of shading and wetting the above treated surfaces on the subsoil temperature have also been investigated. It is found that wetting of the bare surface is most effective for reducing the average value of the subsoil temperature and that the wetted tree bark covered surface is equally effective in reducing the diurnal swings of the earth temperature. The measured subsoil temperature and the measured climatic data (ambient temperature, wet bulb temperature and global radiation) are used to estimate the surface heat transfer coefficient ho and the thermophysical properties of the earth (K, α1 and ρC).