SSSAJ Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

Published in Soil Sci Soc Am J 61:1576-1585 (1997)
© 1997 Soil Science Society of America
677 S. Segoe Rd., Madison, WI 53711 USA
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Paltineanu, I. C.
Right arrow Articles by Starr, J. L.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Paltineanu, I. C.
Right arrow Articles by Starr, J. L.
Agricola
Right arrow Articles by Paltineanu, I. C.
Right arrow Articles by Starr, J. L.

Real-time Soil Water Dynamics Using Multisensor Capacitance Probes: Laboratory Calibration

I. C. Paltineanu and J. L. Starr*

USDA-ARS, Natural Resources Inst., Environmental Chemistry Lab., Beltsville, MD 20705

* Corresponding author ( jstarr{at}asrr.arsusda.gov).

ABSTRACT

There is a continued need for better methods to perform accurate, real-time, nearly continuous soil water measurements at specific depth intervals, with minimal soil disturbance, and covering field-scale areas. The objectives of this research were to assess the characteristics of a newly developed multisensor capacitance probe and to calibrate the sensors against a Mattapex silt loam (fine-silty, mixed, mesic Aquic Hapludult) soil. The soil was uniformly packed in small increments, with the aid of a large hydraulic press, in a wooden box (35.5 by 35.5 cm, 40.5 cm deep). Probe installation in the boxed soil mimicked that required for correct field installation. A highly significant (r2 = 0.992 for n = 15, and RMSE = 0.009 cm3 cm-3 water), nonlinear ({theta}v = 0.490 SF2.1674) relationship was found between the soil volumetric water content ({theta}v, cm3 cm-3) and the scaled frequency [SF = (Fa – Fs)(Fa – Fw)-1]. The SF represents the ratio of individual sensor's frequency (inside PVC pipe) response in soil (Fs) compared with sensor responses in air (Fa) and in nonsaline water (Fw) at room temperature ({approx}22°C). Axial and radial sensitivity studies showed that these capacitance sensors give integrated readings over a primary depth interval of 10 cm and a radial capacitance fringe within 10 cm of the wall of the access pipe. Temperature effects of air and water were measured, and the calculated effects on assessment of {theta}v were less than the RMSE for a temperature range of 10 to 30°C. Our calibration studies indicate that these multisensor capacitance probes can be used to accurately measure volumetric soil water contents in a soil water monitoring system.

Received for publication October 3, 1996.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Vadose Zone JHome page
N. Th. Mazahrih, N. Katbeh-Bader, S. R. Evett, J. E. Ayars, and T. J. Trout
Field Calibration Accuracy and Utility of Four Down-Hole Water Content Sensors
Vadose Zone J., August 1, 2008; 7(3): 992 - 1000.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Vadose Zone JHome page
D. A. Robinson, C. S. Campbell, J. W. Hopmans, B. K. Hornbuckle, S. B. Jones, R. Knight, F. Ogden, J. Selker, and O. Wendroth
Soil Moisture Measurement for Ecological and Hydrological Watershed-Scale Observatories: A Review
Vadose Zone J., February 25, 2008; 7(1): 358 - 389.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Vadose Zone JHome page
M. Schwank, T. R. Green, C. Matzler, H. Benedickter, and H. Fluhler
Laboratory Characterization of a Commercial Capacitance Sensor for Estimating Permittivity and Inferring Soil Water Content
Vadose Zone J., August 24, 2006; 5(3): 1048 - 1064.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Vadose Zone JHome page
S. R. Evett, J. A. Tolk, and T. A. Howell
Soil Profile Water Content Determination: Sensor Accuracy, Axial Response, Calibration, Temperature Dependence, and Precision
Vadose Zone J., July 26, 2006; 5(3): 894 - 907.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Vadose Zone JHome page
D. A. Robinson, T. J. Kelleners, J. D. Cooper, C. M. K. Gardner, P. Wilson, I. Lebron, and S. Logsdon
Evaluation of a Capacitance Probe Frequency Response Model Accounting for Bulk Electrical Conductivity: Comparison with TDR and Network Analyzer Measurements
Vadose Zone J., November 11, 2005; 4(4): 992 - 1003.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Vadose Zone JHome page
V. Polyakov, A. Fares, and M. H. Ryder
Calibration of a Capacitance System for Measuring Water Content of Tropical Soil
Vadose Zone J., November 11, 2005; 4(4): 1004 - 1010.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Vadose Zone JHome page
S. R. Evett, J. A. Tolk, and T. A. Howell
Time Domain Reflectometry Laboratory Calibration in Travel Time, Bulk Electrical Conductivity, and Effective Frequency
Vadose Zone J., November 11, 2005; 4(4): 1020 - 1029.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Vadose Zone JHome page
L. W. Galagedara, J. D. Redman, G. W. Parkin, A. P. Annan, and A. L. Endres
Numerical Modeling of GPR to Determine the Direct Ground Wave Sampling Depth
Vadose Zone J., November 11, 2005; 4(4): 1096 - 1106.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Soil Sci.Home page
T. J. Kelleners, M. S. Seyfried, J. M. Blonquist Jr., J. Bilskie, and D. G. Chandler
Improved Interpretation of Water Content Reflectometer Measurements in Soils
Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., September 29, 2005; 69(6): 1684 - 1690.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Vadose Zone JHome page
T. J. Kelleners, R. W. O. Soppe, J. E. Ayars, J. Simunek, and T. H. Skaggs
Inverse Analysis of Upward Water Flow in a Groundwater Table Lysimeter
Vadose Zone J., July 18, 2005; 4(3): 558 - 572.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Soil Sci.Home page
M. Nachabe, N. Shah, M. Ross, and J. Vomacka
Evapotranspiration of Two Vegetation Covers in a Shallow Water Table Environment
Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., March 1, 2005; 69(2): 492 - 499.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Environ. Qual.Home page
T. J. Gish, C. L. Walthall, C. S. T. Daughtry, and K.-J. S. Kung
Using Soil Moisture and Spatial Yield Patterns to Identify Subsurface Flow Pathways
J. Environ. Qual., January 1, 2005; 34(1): 274 - 286.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Soil Sci.Home page
T. J. Kelleners, D. A. Robinson, P. J. Shouse, J. E. Ayars, and T. H. Skaggs
Frequency Dependence of the Complex Permittivity and Its Impact on Dielectric Sensor Calibration in Soils
Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., January 1, 2005; 69(1): 67 - 76.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Vadose Zone JHome page
D. D. Bosch
Comparison of Capacitance-Based Soil Water Probes in Coastal Plain Soils
Vadose Zone J., November 1, 2004; 3(4): 1380 - 1389.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Vadose Zone JHome page
A. Fares, P. Buss, M. Dalton, A. I. El-Kadi, and L. R. Parsons
Dual Field Calibration of Capacitance and Neutron Soil Water Sensors in a Shrinking-Swelling Clay Soil
Vadose Zone J., November 1, 2004; 3(4): 1390 - 1399.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Soil Sci.Home page
D. G. Chandler, M. Seyfried, M. Murdock, and J. P. McNamara
Field Calibration of Water Content Reflectometers
Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., September 1, 2004; 68(5): 1501 - 1507.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Vadose Zone JHome page
J. L. Starr and D. J. Timlin
Using High-Resolution Soil Moisture Data to Assess Soil Water Dynamics in the Vadose Zone
Vadose Zone J., August 1, 2004; 3(3): 926 - 935.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Soil Sci.Home page
T. J. Kelleners, R. W. O. Soppe, J. E. Ayars, and T. H. Skaggs
Calibration of Capacitance Probe Sensors in a Saline Silty Clay Soil
Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., May 1, 2004; 68(3): 770 - 778.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Soil Sci.Home page
M. S. Seyfried and M. D. Murdock
Measurement of Soil Water Content with a 50-MHz Soil Dielectric Sensor
Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., March 1, 2004; 68(2): 394 - 403.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Soil Sci.Home page
T. J. Kelleners, R. W. O. Soppe, D. A. Robinson, M. G. Schaap, J. E. Ayars, and T. H. Skaggs
Calibration of Capacitance Probe Sensors using Electric Circuit Theory
Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., March 1, 2004; 68(2): 430 - 439.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Vadose Zone JHome page
D. A. Robinson, D. A. Robinson, S. B. Jones, J. M. Wraith, D. Or, and S. P. Friedman
A Review of Advances in Dielectric and Electrical Conductivity Measurement in Soils Using Time Domain Reflectometry
Vadose Zone J., November 1, 2003; 2(4): 444 - 475.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Soil Sci.Home page
T. J. Gish, W. P. Dulaney, K.-J. S. Kung, C. S. T. Daughtry, J. A. Doolittle, and P. T. Miller
Evaluating Use of Ground-Penetrating Radar for Identifying Subsurface Flow Pathways
Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., September 1, 2002; 66(5): 1620 - 1629.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Soil Sci.Home page
K. T. Morgan
Response to ""Comments on 'Field Calibration of a Capacitance Water Content Probe in Fine Sand Soils' ""
Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., September 1, 2001; 65(5): 1571 - 1571.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Soil Sci.Home page
M.S. Seyfried and M.D. Murdock
Response of a New Soil Water Sensor to Variable Soil, Water Content, and Temperature
Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., January 1, 2001; 65(1): 28 - 34.
[Abstract] [Full Text]

Home page
 Soil Sci.Home page
R.L. Baumhardt, R.J. Lascano, and S.R. Evett
Soil Material, Temperature, and Salinity Effects on Calibration of Multisensor Capacitance Probes
Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., November 1, 2000; 64(6): 1940 - 1946.
[Abstract] [Full Text]

Home page
 Soil Sci.Home page
I.C. Paltineanu and J.L. Starr
Preferential Water Flow Through Corn Canopy and Soil Water Dynamics Across Rows
Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., January 1, 2000; 64(1): 44 - 54.
[Abstract] [Full Text]

Home page
 Soil Sci.Home page
K.T. Morgan, L.R. Parsons, T.A. Wheaton, D.J. Pitts, and T.A. Obreza
Field Calibration of a Capacitance Water Content Probe in Fine Sand Soils
Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., July 1, 1999; 63(4): 987 - 989.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
The SCI Journals Agronomy Journal Crop Science
Journal of Natural Resources
and Life Sciences Education		 Vadose Zone Journal
Journal of Plant Registrations Journal of
Environmental Quality		 The Plant Genome
Copyright © 1997 by the Soil Science Society of America.