Innovative method for installing soil moisture probes in a large-scale undisturbed gravel lysimeter

Aquifers of coarse gravel are an important source for drinking water; however, coarse sediments are also particularly susceptible to the rapid and long-range transport of pollutants through the vadose zone. Therefore, understanding the flow and solute transport in unsaturated gravel material is of utmost importance for the protection of drinking water resources. Experimental investigations of flow and transport processes are dependent on suitable sensor technology, but it is a considerable challenge to install soil moisture sensors in gravelly material. In this note, we developed a novel method to install soil moisture sensors with minimal disturbance in a large lysimeter with undisturbed gravelly sedimentary material, based on drilling access cavities in frozen material. We investigated whether it is possible to obtain reliable soil moisture measurements and found that the probes measured the flow dynamics pattern well but could not quantify realistic absolute water content values.

Automated summary

Understanding the flow and solute transport in unsaturated gravel material is crucial for protecting drinking water resources. Installing soil moisture sensors in gravelly material is challenging, but drilling access cavities in frozen material can help minimize disturbance during installation.