Difference between revisions of "Soil moisture - impedance method (Theta Probe)"

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[[Image: ml2x.jpg |right|300px|]]
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[[File:ThetaprobeMl2x.jpg‎|thumb|right|ML2 probe with hand held HH2]]
 
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[[File:Ml3 deltaT.jpg|thumb|right|ML3 probe]]
 
==Parameter to be measured:==
 
==Parameter to be measured:==
Soil moisture, permitivity  
+
*old ML2: Soil moisture, permitivity for a volume of 300mm³ (60mm long x 26.5mm
 +
diameter).
 +
*new ML3: soil moisture and temperature
  
 
==Method:==
 
==Method:==
 
Frequency Domain Sensor working with the so called impedance-method at 100 MHz.
 
Frequency Domain Sensor working with the so called impedance-method at 100 MHz.
Usable in saline soils - up to 2000 mS.m^{-1}
+
Usable in saline soils - up to 2000 mS/m.
  
 
==Equipment:==
 
==Equipment:==
 
*Delta-T Device: Theta-Probe (ML2x) with 4 rods of 600 mm length, HH2 display for manual reading or a data logger
 
*Delta-T Device: Theta-Probe (ML2x) with 4 rods of 600 mm length, HH2 display for manual reading or a data logger
 +
* Reqiuerments to loggers: Requires 5 - 15V DC at 20mA. Provides 0 - 1V DC output.
  
 
==Advantages:==
 
==Advantages:==
 
* easy and fast measurement of punctual soil moisture
 
* easy and fast measurement of punctual soil moisture
* manual as well as continuously logged measurements possible
+
* manual as well as continuously logged measurements possible in that case long cable runs possible.
  
 
==Disadvantages:==
 
==Disadvantages:==
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==Price:==
 
==Price:==
* 1270 € for probe and reading device (2008)
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* 1270 € for ML2 probe and HH2 (2008)
  
 
==Links==
 
==Links==
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Other related web sites:
 
Other related web sites:
 
*John Miller Theta Probe: [http://www.macaulay.ac.uk/MRCS/pdf/tprobe.pdf Theta Probe ML2X Principles of operation and application]
 
*John Miller Theta Probe: [http://www.macaulay.ac.uk/MRCS/pdf/tprobe.pdf Theta Probe ML2X Principles of operation and application]
*Delta-T Devices: [http://www.delta-t.co.uk/support-article.html?article=faq2005100703502 User Manual]
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*Delta-T Devices:  
*[http://www.aquapro-sensors.com/Independant-Tests.htm Test of 5 different soil moisture sensors]
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**[http://upgmbh.com/fileadmin/produkte/support/ML2x_Theta_ProbeUserManual_v1.21.pdf User Manual of the old ML2 probe]
*[http://www.sowacs.com sowacs.com] - the central resource for soil moisture measurement
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**[http://www.delta-t.co.uk/product-display.asp?id=ML3%20Product&div=Soil%20Science User Manual of the new ML3 probe]
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
Line 49: Line 52:
  
 
Miller, JD; Gaskin, GJ; Anderson, HA. 1997. From drought to flood: Catchment responses revealed using novel soil water probes. HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES 11(5), 533-541.
 
Miller, JD; Gaskin, GJ; Anderson, HA. 1997. From drought to flood: Catchment responses revealed using novel soil water probes. HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES 11(5), 533-541.
 +
 +
Robinson, D.A., Gardner, C.M.K., Cooper, J.D. 1999. Measurement of relative permittivity in sandy soils using TDR, capacitance and theta probes: comparison, including the effects of bulk soil electrical conductivity. Jounral of Hydrology 223, 198-211.
  
 
Seyfried, MS; Murdock, MD. 2004. Measurement of soil water content with a 50-MHz soil dielectric sensor. SOIL SCIENCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA JOURNAL 68(2), 394-403.
 
Seyfried, MS; Murdock, MD. 2004. Measurement of soil water content with a 50-MHz soil dielectric sensor. SOIL SCIENCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA JOURNAL 68(2), 394-403.

Latest revision as of 13:29, 13 January 2015

ML2 probe with hand held HH2
ML3 probe

Parameter to be measured:

  • old ML2: Soil moisture, permitivity for a volume of 300mm³ (60mm long x 26.5mm

diameter).

  • new ML3: soil moisture and temperature

Method:

Frequency Domain Sensor working with the so called impedance-method at 100 MHz. Usable in saline soils - up to 2000 mS/m.

Equipment:

  • Delta-T Device: Theta-Probe (ML2x) with 4 rods of 600 mm length, HH2 display for manual reading or a data logger
  • Reqiuerments to loggers: Requires 5 - 15V DC at 20mA. Provides 0 - 1V DC output.

Advantages:

  • easy and fast measurement of punctual soil moisture
  • manual as well as continuously logged measurements possible in that case long cable runs possible.

Disadvantages:

  • Each sensor has to be calibrated
  • careful application of probe in stony and dry soils, because rods break easy
  • during field application cable breakes often occures at the crossing between probe head and cable
  • Underestimating of permitivity in media with low permitivity (ε > 40, clay and organic soils)
  • unaccuarate values in saturated media

What to watch out for:

  • Good contact between probe and medium has to be proved

Problems/Questions:

Price:

  • 1270 € for ML2 probe and HH2 (2008)

Links

Projects that used the above equipment:

Other related web sites:

References

Blonquist, JM; Jones, SB; Robinson, DA. 2005. Standardizing characterization of electromagnetic water content sensors: Part 2. Evaluation of seven sensing systems. VADOSE ZONE JOURNAL 4(4), 1059-1069.

Gaskin, GJ; Miller, JD. 1996. Measurement of soil water content using a simplified impedance measuring technique. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH 63(2), 153-159.

Miller, JD; Gaskin, GJ; Anderson, HA. 1997. From drought to flood: Catchment responses revealed using novel soil water probes. HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES 11(5), 533-541.

Robinson, D.A., Gardner, C.M.K., Cooper, J.D. 1999. Measurement of relative permittivity in sandy soils using TDR, capacitance and theta probes: comparison, including the effects of bulk soil electrical conductivity. Jounral of Hydrology 223, 198-211.

Seyfried, MS; Murdock, MD. 2004. Measurement of soil water content with a 50-MHz soil dielectric sensor. SOIL SCIENCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA JOURNAL 68(2), 394-403.