Continuous monitoring of soil moisture for hydrological purposes.

Abstract

Moisture is a variable used to analyze matter and energy transport through the soil. It dynamically responds to the climatic sequence of precipitation and evapotranspiration events and controls or regulates various physical, chemical and biological process in the soil column. In addition, the physical properties of the soil and vegetation determine the spatial-temporal dynamic of moisture, which in turn influences the transport of solutes and material. This work presents preliminary results from intensive continuous monitoring of soil moisture using ECH20 capacitance probes on a property with controlled irrigation, in order to analyze the temporal dynamics of recharge and infiltration as well as to generate high-resolution calibration data. The combined analysis of the soil and moisture content showed that, for the case studied, the spatial-temporal dynamic of moisture was strongly influenced by spatial variability (especially the topography, hydraulic conductivity and compaction), as well as by the different characteristics related to precipitation events and antecedent moisture, bringing about distinct infiltration responses. Finally, the use of capacitance sensors with high temporal resolution, as well as graphic methods, made it possible to qualitatively analyze underlying hydrological processes.