Monitoring the field soil matrix potential using mercury tensiometer and granular matrix sensors

摘要

The monitoring of dynamic water flow is becoming progressively more important in soil erosion studies. The main aim of this paper is to evaluate monitoring techniques for soil matrix potential and data handling and use in relation to soil hydrologicdynamics. The study was developed in erosion plots at Avelar Experimental Campus, located in a mountainous region of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Mercury manometer tensiometers and granular matrix sensors were used for the hydrologic monitoring.The hydrologic behavior in relation to the matrix potential in the erosion plots has demonstrated that the most superficial depth showed the most negative potentials as well as a quick response in relation to the drainage. In relation to the temporal variation of the matrix potential in the upper plot of the erosion plots, one can observe that the plots with different soil tillage history presented different hydrologic behavior.