Lysimeters in Vadose Zone Research

Lysimeters are methodological experimental tools to study the water and matter fluxes in the vadose zone, as well as the environmental fate of chemicals. Lysimeters are available in various types. The most sophisticated lysimeters are filled monolithically, are equipped with a pressure- controlled lower boundary, and are weighable, allowing the measurement of hydraulic fluxes, i.e., rainfall, drainage, evapotranspiration, dew, and hoar frost with high precision. This special section of Vadose Zone Journal reports on current lysimeter research.