MOREIRA, A. A.; MOREIRA, Atílio Aguilera.
Resumo:
The thermal behavior of the soils at different locations in the State of Bahia was
studied using the soil temperature data obtained at different depths. The data collected at the
climatological stations of Santa Rita de Cassia, Senhor do Bonfim, Jacobina, Lencois,
Salvador, Caetite and Caravelas were used in this study. The bare soil temperature data for the
depths of 02, 05, 10, 20, 30, 50 and 100 cm were observed at 12, 18 and 24 UTC during the
period from 1978 to 1985. In the case of Salvador, the daily soil temperature data obtained at 20-
minute intervals for several days under varying weather conditions were utilized to study de
diurnal cycle. The soil temperature data were subjected to Fourier Analysis and the amplitudes
and phases were obtained for the first five harmonics in the case of the annual cycle and for the
first six harmonics in the case of de diurnal cycle. The thermal diffusivity, damping depth and the
velocity of propagation of the temperature wave were determined. The thermal diffusivity of the
soil at the climatological station of Salvador-BA was calculated using five different methods. The
numerical method was found to be consistent in determining the thermal diffusivity for different
soil layers.