Author
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Lentz, Rodrick |
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Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 7/13/2006 Publication Date: 11/12/2006 Citation: Lentz, R.D. 2006. Solute response to changing nutrient loads in soil and walled, ceramic-cup samplers under continuous extraction [abstract]. American Society of Agronomy-Crop Science Society of America-Soil Science Society of America. Paper No. 24203. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Manually collecting a series of sequential, discrete water samples from soil water percolation samplers, or similar devices, that withdraw water from unsaturated porous media under continuous vacuum is a logistical challenge, though the resulting collection can provide valuable information on the dynamics present in both laboratory and field studies. This paper describes a sequential tension autosampler (STAS) that executes such sampling automatically. The STAS operates on 12 VDC and can be adapted for laboratory and field applications. A data logger was programmed to operate a series of solenoid valves, which direct soil water collected under tension to seven individual collection bottles. The number of sequential samples, sample period, start time, and between-sample interval are specified by the user. The operator only need to attend the system periodically to transfer water samples to storage vials and program the next sampling sequence. In a laboratory study, the apparatus successfully collected samples overnight or over several days. |
