Soil moisture - FDR (profile probe)

Parameter to be measured:

Soil moisture

Method:

FDR - frequency domain reflectometry

Equipment:

Profile probe (Delta T)

Advantages:

• measures soil moisture in 4-6 depth with a maximum depth of 1m.
• manual as well as continuously logged measurements possible

What to watch out for:

• The access tube for the probe needs to be very carefully installed. There should be no air gap between the access tube and the soil!
• If you have access tubes installed in the field, but are taking only manual measurements from time to time (i.e. the probe is not continuously inside the access tube) make sure to check for condensated water inside the tube before making measurements.
• Test each sensor along the probe by covering one after the other with a wet cloth and taking a measurement, just to see if there is a reaction.

Links

Projects that used the above equipment:

• http://brandenburg.geoecology.uni-potsdam.de/projekte/malalcahuello/index.php

Other related web sites:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frequency_domain_sensor