Installation

1

(at FermiLab, affiliated with Argonne Natl Lab
in Chicago, IL)
Lysimeter design perforated plate (22 x 22)
with solution collect in inverted pyramid
reservoir. The soil solution is pumped out
through the copper tubing.
1.
A tree spade digs the hole for the lysimeter and
holds the soil mass intact.

The lysimeter is placed in the hole and dirt is
packed around it for stability. (Thats me in
the hole!)
2
Zero-Tension Lysimeters

• PURPOSE collect solution percolating through
  undisturbed soil profile
• measure organic carbon compounds leaching out of
  soil system
• understand how to minimize losses of soil organic
  carbon
• Installation of Lysimeters
• CHALLENGE Insertion of lysimeter while
  preserving the soil profile and plants above it
  -- cant just shovel out a hole and bury it
• Our Approach

3
2.
Sand is laid on the netting on the top of the
lysimeter as a filter.
3.
The bottom of the soil mass is removed to make
space for the lysimeter.
4.
Finally, the soil mass is settled on top of the
lysimeter.