water content of soil is smaler than 100% .Soil organic matter suck more water and delay velocity and quantity of water flow

Dr Zhong Sheng Guo thank you for your contribution to the discussion

The maximum water content that soil can hold is called the saturation point. At this point, the soil is completely saturated with water and cannot hold any more water. However, in certain circumstances, the water content of soil can be greater than 100%. This may seem counterintuitive since water content is usually expressed as a percentage. However, it is possible for the water content to exceed 100% under certain conditions. When soil is saturated with water, it is at its maximum water-holding capacity. Percent Moisture Content = Weight of Water / Oven-dry Weight of Fuel x 100. Moisture content can be greater than 100 percent because the water in a fuel particle may weigh considerably more than the dry fuel itself. The maximum water-retaining capacity of a soil may be defined as the quantity of water, measured as a percentage of the mass of oven-dry material that the soil can retain after it has been thoroughly wetted and then allowed to drain freely. Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) is the water content at which the soil attains maximum dry density. Maximum Dry Density (MDD) is the dry density of soil corresponding to Optimum Moisture Content. Organic matter plays an important role in the water cycle as it facilitates infiltration and water storage, structure building for water circulation and production of colloids which retain water. Micro- and macro-organisms also play major role in creating pores and various forms of organic matter. Soil has an effect on the water cycle by influencing the rate at which water evaporates from or moves into and through the soil to saturated zones or aquifers. When it rains on a sandy soil or beach at the ocean, the rain quickly moves into the sandy soil surface and through the soil layer. The addition of organic matter to the soil usually increases the water holding capacity of the soil. This is because the addition of organic matter increases the number of micro pores and macro pores in the soil either by “gluing” soil particles together or by creating favorable living conditions for soil organisms. Surface soil moisture partitions rainfall into runoff and infiltration and is major driver of the Earth's water cycle. Surface soil moisture also partitions incident solar energy into latent heat and sensible heat energy, making it an important factor in the Earth's energy cycle.

Can water content of soil be greater than 100% and what role does soil organic matter play in the water cycle?

My Answer will be no, the water content of soil cannot be greater than 100%. The water content of soil is typically expressed as a percentage of the soil's total volume, known as the soil moisture content. It represents the amount of water present in the soil relative to the total volume of soil particles. A soil moisture content of 100% indicates that the soil is completely saturated with water.

Soil organic matter plays several important roles in the water cycle:

1. Water Retention: Soil organic matter has the ability to hold and retain water. It acts as a sponge, absorbing and storing water within its structure. Organic matter improves soil structure, creating pore spaces that can hold water. This improves the soil's water-holding capacity, reducing the risk of waterlogging and increasing water availability for plants.

2. Water Infiltration and Percolation: Organic matter enhances the soil's infiltration and percolation rates. It improves soil structure, creating a network of interconnected pores that facilitate water movement into the soil. This helps to prevent surface runoff and allows water to penetrate deeper into the soil profile, reducing erosion and promoting groundwater recharge.

3. Moisture Regulation: Soil organic matter helps regulate soil moisture by acting as a buffer. It can absorb excess water during wet periods and slowly release it during dry periods, providing a more stable and consistent water supply to plants. This helps to mitigate the effects of drought and water stress.

4. Nutrient Cycling: Soil organic matter is involved in nutrient cycling processes. It acts as a reservoir for nutrients, releasing them gradually as organic matter decomposes. This nutrient cycling contributes to the overall health and fertility of the soil, which in turn affects water uptake and plant growth.

5. Carbon Sequestration: Soil organic matter plays a significant role in carbon sequestration. It stores carbon in the form of decomposed organic material, helping to mitigate climate change by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

In summary, soil organic matter influences the water cycle by improving water retention, infiltration, percolation, moisture regulation, and nutrient cycling in the soil. It is a vital component of healthy soils and sustainable water management.

Dr Gonse Amelo Yutura thank you for your contribution to the discussion

Organic matter plays an important role in the water cycle as it facilitates infiltration and water storage, structure building for water circulation and production of colloids which retain water. Micro- and macro-organisms also play major role in creating pores and various forms of organic matter. The soil plays an important part in the storage and distribution of the water that reaches it. The role the soil plays in the hydrological cycle is crucial for the maintenance of the biosphere, because it is provides water for plants, animals and humans. The addition of organic matter to the soil usually increases the water holding capacity of the soil. This is because the addition of organic matter increases the number of micro-pores and macro-pores in the soil either by “gluing” soil particles together or by creating favorable living conditions for soil organisms. Surface soil moisture partitions rainfall into runoff and infiltration and is major driver of the Earth's water cycle. Surface soil moisture also partitions incident solar energy into latent heat and sensible heat energy, making it an important factor in the Earth's energy cycle. Just like a sponge, soils with high organic matter (OM) and aggregates can absorb and hold water during rainfall events and deliver it to plants during dry spells.Soil water content - Amount of water a given soil can store, primarily influenced by the soil texture and the soil organic matter content. In general, soils with greater silt and clay-sized particles have greater water- holding capacities. Likewise, soils with more organic matter have greater water-holding capacities. Soils store and filter water improving food security and our resilience to floods and droughts. Functional soils play a key role in the supply of clean water and resilience to floods and droughts. It is expressed as a percentage. The maximum water content that soil can hold is called the saturation point. At this point, the soil is completely saturated with water and cannot hold any more water. However, in certain circumstances, the water content of soil can be greater than 100%. Water content is the ratio of mass of water to the mass of solids in the soil. It can be greater than 100%. The volumetric soil moisture content remaining at field capacity is about 15 to 25% for sandy soils, 35 to 45% for loam soils, and 45 to 55% for clay soils. Most clay has a liquid limit of the order of 50%–90%; however it can exceed 100%. Consistency in fine-grained soils means the properties of friability, stickiness, plasticity, and resistance to deformation.Generally, soil moisture will range from 10% to 45%, but can be higher during and after watering. The water in your soil is stored on the surface of the soil particles, as well as in the pores, which are holes or gaps between individual soil particles.