Infiltrationsyta

Infiltrationsyta, or infiltration area, is a term used in hydrology and soil science to denote the surface area through which water infiltrates the soil or geological formation. The concept helps distinguish the portion of land contributing to infiltration at a given location from the overall catchment area, which also includes areas where water runs off or is stored. In practice, the infiltrationsyta is influenced by soil type, permeability, land cover, and subsurface conditions, and it can vary with rainfall intensity, antecedent moisture, and seasonal factors.

Infiltration area is a key parameter in rainfall–runoff modelling, groundwater recharge assessments, and the design of infiltration-based stormwater controls such as infiltration basins, trenches, or drainfields. It is typically estimated from field measurements (for example infiltrometry or double-ring tests) or from hydrological models that relate rainfall, infiltration capacity, and surface conditions. The portion of area that actually infiltrates water determines the volume of infiltrated water and the rate at which groundwater may be recharged.

Applications include urban drainage design, agricultural drainage planning, and environmental engineering aimed at reducing surface runoff and promoting recharge. The term originates from Swedish, where yta means area, and infiltrationsyta describes the land surface involved in infiltration processes.