A Flexible Moisture Content Probe for Unsaturated Soil Column Experiments

Journal Article · Mon May 01 04:00:00 EDT 2006 · Vadose Zone Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2136/vzj2006.0139· OSTI ID:912353

Mattson, E D; Baker, K E; Palmer, C D; Svoboda, J M

A commercially available soil moisture capacitance probe was modified by replacing rigid electrode traces with non-intrusive, flexible circuit board trace electrodes that can be attached to the interior of soil column walls. This new design minimizes soil packing difficulties and potential bias in flow pathways commonly associated with rigid probe installations in column experiments. Testing showed that the modified probe design provides reproducible output independent of sample bulk density. The electrical conductivity of the pore-water solution, however, affects the probe response. For cases where the specific conductance of the pore-water solution is constant, the probe can be calibrated. The flexible electrodes offer a simple means of minimizing sensor intrusion into laboratory soil columns while providing reproducible voltage output that is a function of moisture content.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE - EM
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-99ID13727
• OSTI ID: 912353
• Report Number(s): INL/JOU-05-00082
• Journal Information: Vadose Zone Journal, Journal Name: Vadose Zone Journal Vol. 5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BULK DENSITY
CAPACITANCE
DESIGN
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRODES
MOISTURE
PROBES
SOILS
TESTING
moisture
soil
soil moisture capacitance probe
soil packing