The CT-scanning method can measure soil pore parameters that
are more detailed compared to bulk soil parameters; these pore
parameters can help explain transport of gases and liquids through
porous media (Anderson et al., 1992; Rachman et al., 2005; Udawatta
et al., 2006). Pore data from traditional water retention methods are
generally obtained with 50 to 80 mm depth increments. In contrast,
the scan images acquired in this study used very small depth
increments (0.5mmthick). Although traditional methods can evaluate
influences of management on changes in soil properties, they do not
provide spatial information at a pore scale which can illustrate
treatment effects important for water and gas transport processes.
Further studies may need to examine whether quantification of
continuous pore parameters throughout the sample may improve
estimations and relate better to gas and water movement through
porous media.