vannholding

Vannholding is a term used in Norwegian to describe the capacity of a material, object, or system to retain water. In translation, it denotes water retention or the ability to hold moisture. The concept is applied across several disciplines, from soil science and hydrology to materials technology and food science, and is often expressed as a percentage or as a quantity of water per unit mass or volume.

In soil science, water holding capacity refers to the amount of water a soil can retain after gravitational drainage, commonly described using concepts such as field capacity and available water capacity. The capacity is influenced by soil texture, structure, organic matter content, and porosity. Soils with higher clay content and organic matter generally exhibit greater water holding, while sandy soils hold less. This property is crucial for irrigation planning, drought resilience, and crop productivity.

In hydrology and civil engineering, water holding capacity relates to the temporary storage of rainfall in basins, detention ponds, infiltration systems, and other green or grey infrastructure. Properly designed water holding capacity helps reduce peak discharge, support groundwater recharge, and manage flood risk in urban and rural catchments.

In materials science and food technology, water holding capacity describes how much water absorbent materials (such as textiles, paper, or polymers) can store, or how moisture is retained in foods, affecting texture, stability, and shelf life. Measurement methods include gravimetric drying, centrifugation, or pressure-based tests, with results often reported as water content by weight or volume.

Vannholding thus encompasses moisture retention across natural and engineered systems, serving as a key parameter in irrigation, flood management, material performance, and product quality.