Volume 3 . 2009 ISSN 1862-9075 BayCEER-online Christina Bogner Analysis of flow patterns and flow mechanisms in soils BayCEER-online ISSN 1862-9076 BayCEER-online is the internet publication series of the University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER) 2009 by Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth The use of general descriptiver names, registered names, trademarks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. Cover design: Schlags & Schlösser Kommunikation GmbH, 95444 Bayreuth, Germany WorldWideWeb: http://www.bayceer.uni-bayreuth.de BayCEER-online vol 3 / 2009 Analysis of flow patterns and flow mechanisms in soils Dissertation Co-directed by the University of Bayreuth and the University of Avignon submitted to the Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Geosciences of the University of Bayreuth to attain the degree of Dr. rer. nat and Dr. de l’Université d’Avignon Presented by CHRISTINA BOGNER born December 13, 1977 in Nawoi (Uzbekistan) Bayreuth, April 2009 This doctoral thesis was prepared at the Department of Soil Physics, University of Bayreuth, and at the Hydrogeological Laboratory, University of Avignon, between September 2004 and April 2009.