Estimation from Soil Temperature of Soil Thermal Diffusivity and Heat Flux in Sub-surface Layers

Soil thermal parameters are important for calculating the surface energy balance and mass transfer. Previous studies have proposed methods to estimate thermal parameters using field data; however, the application of these methods lacks validation and comprehensive evaluation under different climatic conditions. Here, we evaluate four methods (amplitude, phase shift, conduction-convection and harmonic) to estimate thermal diffusivity (k) under different climatic conditions. Heat flux was simulated and compared with data from heat-flux plates to validate the application of the four methods. The results indicated that, under clear-sky conditions, the harmonic method had the greatest accuracy in estimating k, though it generated large errors on rainy days or under overcast conditions. The conduction-convection method (CCM) provided a reliable estimate of k on rainy days, or under overcast skies, coinciding with increased water movement in the soil profile. The amplitude method, although a simple calculation, had poor accuracy for rainy and overcast conditions. Finally, the phase shift method was shown to be a suitable alternative for CCM to estimate k under overcast conditions, though only when soil moisture content was high.