Soil moisture - FDR (profile probe)
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Parameter to be measured:
Soil moisture. Permanent soil moisture monitoring along a soil profile.
Method:
FDR - frequency domain reflectometry, capacitive
Equipment:
- Delta-T Device: Profile probe (PR1/PR2)
Advantages:
- measures soil moisture in 4-6 depths with a maximum depth of 1m.
- manual as well as continuously logging measurements possible
Disadvantages:
- Each probe has to be calibrated (however, it does come with a standard calibration for organic and for mineral soil)
- The application of probe in stony soils is very limited
- The soil is always disturbed after installing the pipe. So you have to wait at least a month to get "real" measurements
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.
- Look at the data carefully. Test if there is a preferential flow between pipe and soil.
Problems/Questions:
What is the exact difference between the old version (PR1) and the new version (PR2) of the probe? (see discussion page to this article)
Links
Projects that used the above equipment:
Other related web sites:
- Delta-T Devices: Quick Start Guide
- Delta-T Devices: User Manual
- Delta-T Devices: Augering Manual