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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #403208
Research Project: Science and Technologies for the Sustainable Management of Western Rangeland Systems

Location: Range Management Research

Title: Next-generation Irwin Sensors for characterizing surface shear velocity

Author
item Webb, Nicholas - Nick
item ZIEGLER, NANCY - Environmental Laboratory, Us Army Engineer Research And Development Center, Waterways Experiment St
item BROWN, ERIC - Environmental Laboratory, Us Army Engineer Research And Development Center, Waterways Experiment St
item NIKOLICH, GEORGE - Desert Research Institute
item GILLIES, JOHN - Desert Research Institute
item EDWARDS, BRANDON - New Mexico State University
item PATEL, SAHIL - Environmental Laboratory, Us Army Engineer Research And Development Center, Waterways Experiment St
item Van Zee, Justin
item TRAUTZ, ANDREW - Environmental Laboratory, Us Army Engineer Research And Development Center, Waterways Experiment St
item LEGRAND, SANDRA - Environmental Laboratory, Us Army Engineer Research And Development Center, Waterways Experiment St

Submitted to: International Conference on Aeolian Research
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2023
Publication Date: 7/14/2023
Citation: Webb, N.P., Ziegler, N., Brown, E., Nikolich, G., Gillies, J., Edwards, B., Patel, S., Van Zee, J.W., Trautz, A., LeGrand, S. 2023. Next-generation Irwin Sensors for characterizing surface shear velocity. International Conference on Aeolian Research. Abstract.

Interpretive Summary: Quantifying the spatial and temporal variability of surface shear velocity (us*) is needed to better understand the timing and patterns of sediment flux and dust emission. Previous field and wind tunnel studies have used the Irwin sensor (Irwin 1981), an instrument measuring the surface pressure differential, to monitor in situ us* (King et al., 2005; Gillies et al., 2006; Ziegler et al., 2023). Sensor designs have proven encumbering to maintain long-term because of their sensitivity to moisture and susceptibility to becoming clogged with particles. Additionally, they require cables to connect to a local base station, which presents its own set of challenges related to site preparation. Here we present a new generation of Irwin sensors, taking a first step to address the aforementioned issues. The new generation sensors utilize modern manufacturing techniques and up-to-date electronics to minimize installation footprint and site impact by enabling local processing, storage, and wireless transmission of sensor data. This new sensor can wirelessly transmit data over 27 m to a base station, or further, using mesh network communications in which each sensor acts as a mesh node, operating for up to eight days without recharge. The sensors are housed in custom-made plastic “sleeves” that enable rapid deployment and retrieval, e.g., with forecasted rain events. Currently deployed at the National Wind Erosion Research Network site at the USDA Jornada Experimental Range in Las Cruces, NM, the sensors are being used to characterize us* along the sides of roughness elements.

Technical Abstract: Quantifying the spatial and temporal variability of surface shear velocity (us*) is needed to better understand the timing and patterns of sediment flux and dust emission. Previous field and wind tunnel studies have used the Irwin sensor (Irwin 1981), an instrument measuring the surface pressure differential, to monitor in situ us* (King et al., 2005; Gillies et al., 2006; Ziegler et al., 2023). Sensor designs have proven encumbering to maintain long-term because of their sensitivity to moisture and susceptibility to becoming clogged with particles. Additionally, they require cables to connect to a local base station, which presents its own set of challenges related to site preparation. Here we present a new generation of Irwin sensors, taking a first step to address the aforementioned issues. The new generation sensors utilize modern manufacturing techniques and up-to-date electronics to minimize installation footprint and site impact by enabling local processing, storage, and wireless transmission of sensor data. This new sensor can wirelessly transmit data over 27 m to a base station, or further, using mesh network communications in which each sensor acts as a mesh node, operating for up to eight days without recharge. The sensors are housed in custom-made plastic “sleeves” that enable rapid deployment and retrieval, e.g., with forecasted rain events. Currently deployed at the National Wind Erosion Research Network site at the USDA Jornada Experimental Range in Las Cruces, NM, the sensors are being used to characterize us* along the sides of roughness elements.