Surface Temperature Experienced and Irrigation Effects on Artificial Turf

Artificial turf has gained widespread use in sporting fields as it is considered a water-saving and maintenance-free alternative to natural turfgrass. However, the high surface temperatures that occur during the day are a potentially important unfavorable feature of artificial turfgrass. The objective of this study was to establish the temperatures experienced on an artificial turf surface and to evaluate the effect of irrigation on artificial turf surface temperature. Data was collected over five surfaces across a sports facility on the campus of the University of Thessaly in Larissa, Greece. Results showed surface temperatures on artificial turf (AT) as significantly higher than running track (RT), asphalt (AS), bare soil (BS), and natural grass (NG), with maximum surface temperatures of 72oC. Solar radiation accounted for most of the variation in surface temperature of the artificial turf (r2=0.92) as opposed to air temperature (r2=0.38), and relative humidity (r2=0.50). To lower surface temperature, four irrigation regimes were used (1x60 min, 1x30 min, 2x15 min, and 3x5 min water application). Irrigation reduced the surface temperature by as much as 30°C compared to the unirrigated surface, but these low temperatures were maintained for 90 to 120 minutes long. The most effective cooling effect occurred when water was applied in a 3-cycle, 5-minute duration, where the irrigated surface temperature remained below the unirrigated surface throughout the time after the first watering.