What is the correct procedure for rounding hydraulic conductivity results?

For rounding hydraulic conductivity results, the correct approach is to round to one decimal place. This practice is commonly adopted in soil science to provide a level of precision that is both practical and meaningful, reflecting the inherent variability in measurements while still offering enough detail for effective application.

Rounding to one decimal place strikes a good balance, allowing for sufficient accuracy without overwhelming users with excessive detail that might not be significant in the context of typical soil characteristics or engineering applications. This method helps maintain clarity and usability of the data, while minimizing the risk of presenting misleading precision.

The other rounding options might either underestimate or overestimate the precision required for practical applications in soil analysis. Reporting exactly as measured is generally impractical because it could present unnecessary complexity in interpretations, while rounding to three decimal places could imply a precision that is often not attainable in field measurements. Rounding to the nearest whole number may not capture the necessary detail for effective analysis in many situations pertaining to hydraulic conductivity.