Development of a Lysimeter System to Simultaneously Study Runoff and Leaching Dynamics

摘要

Better control of non-point source nutrient losses from soil spread with manure requires understanding of associated environmental processes. This study was conducted to develop a laboratory system for analysis ofhydrologic and nutrient dynamics associated with manure application. The research objective was to identify a soil lysimeter size, a method of soil capture, and materials of construction to simultaneously study surface and subsurface processes. A steel lysimeter 60 cm wide and long by 60 cmdeep was driven into the ground with a2-Mg drop hammer, excavated, and under girded with a 12.7 cm thick PVC plate to capture a block of soil. PVC spacer plates, temporarily situated between the steel lysimeter walls and the sample soil block, were removed after the lysimeter was excavated and bottomed. The remaining gap was filled with petrolatum (petroleum jelly) in order to prevent by-pass flow and potential chemical interaction of the soil solution with the steel lysimeter walls. An initial test ofthe design was conducted by excavating and preparing twenty lysimeters for rainfall simulation. The experimental method provided researchers opportunity to study both surface and subsurface processes in one assemblage.