Which term describes the ability of water to move through soil?

The term that describes the ability of water to move through soil is permeability. Permeability refers specifically to the capacity of soil or rock to transmit water and air. It is influenced by the size and arrangement of soil particles, which affects how easily water can flow through the spaces between them. High permeability means that water can easily move through the soil, while low permeability means that water struggles to pass through.

Understanding permeability is essential in environmental science, as it impacts various factors including water drainage, plant growth, and the movement of contaminants in the soil. For example, sandy soils typically have high permeability, allowing water to drain quickly, while clayey soils tend to have low permeability, leading to water retention and slower drainage.

Retention pertains to the ability of soil to hold water, filtration relates to the process of removing impurities from water, and conductivity usually refers to the ability of a material to conduct electricity or heat, which, while related to water movement, does not directly describe how water flows through soil. Therefore, permeability is the most accurate term to describe this process.