Minimizing parameter uncertainty is crucial in the application of hydrologic models.Isotopic information in various hydrologic components of the water cycle can expand our knowledge of the dynamics of water flow in the system,provide additional information for parameter estimation,and improve parameter identifiability.This study combined the Philip infiltration model with an isotopic mixing model using an isotopic mass balance approach for estimating parameters in the Philip infiltration model.Two approaches to parameter estimation were compared:(a) using isotopic information to determine the soil water transmission and then hydrologic information to estimate the soil sorptivity,and(b) using hydrologic information to determine the soil water transmission and the soil sorptivity.Results of parameter estimation were verified through a rainfall infiltration experiment in a laboratory under rainfall with constant isotopic compositions and uniform initial soil water content conditions.Experimental results showed that approach(a),using isotopic and hydrologic information,estimated the soil water transmission in the Philip infiltration model in a manner that matched measured values well.The results of parameter estimation of approach(a) were better than those of approach(b).It was also found that the analytical precision of hydrogen and oxygen stable isotopes had a significant effect on parameter estimation using isotopic information.
