Methods for downhole soil water sensor calibration—Complications of bulk density and water content variations

• Published in: Vadose zone journal Vol. 21; no. 6
• Main Authors: Evett, Steven R., Marek, Gary W., Colaizzi, Paul D., Copeland, Karen S., Ruthardt, Brice B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Madison John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01-11-2022; Wiley
• Subjects: Accuracy; Bulk density; Calibration; Chemical composition; Complications; Depletion; Depth; Depth perception; Depth profiling; Evapotranspiration; Horizon; Irrigation scheduling; Laboratories; Measuring instruments; Moisture content; Neutron scattering; Precipitation; Root zone; Sensors; Soil; Soil layers; Soil profiles; Soil properties; Soil water; Soil water storage; Tubes; Water; Water content; Water depth; Water storage
• ISSN: 1539-1663; 1539-1663
• DOI: 10.1002/vzj2.20235

Downhole soil volumetric water content (VWC) sensors are used in access tubes to assess the soil water content at multiple depths. If sensor readings are spaced closely enough vertically and are accurate enough, then accurate soil profile water content storage and change in storage can be determined over the depth range of readings, leading to accurate estimates of evapotranspiration (ET) if readings extend to well below the root zone. Even if sensing only covers the active root zone, soil water depletion may be determined well enough to inform irrigation scheduling. While sensor accuracy is dependent on many factors, including the sensor's physical principle of operation, soil‐specific calibration is typically required for good accuracy. In soils with multiple horizons (layers) of different texture, bulk density (BD), or chemical composition, horizon‐specific calibrations may be necessary. We describe methods and equipment used for downhole sensor calibration to typical accuracy of <0.01 m3 m−3 with specific reference to calibration of 10 neutron scattering meters in a soil that required three different horizon‐specific calibrations. Our results contrast with the factory calibration, which would result in a 38‐mm error in water stored in a 1.5‐m deep profile of our soil. We describe variability of measured VWC and BD with depth, distance, and water content and the errors that result from using BD to convert mass basis (g g−1) water content data to VWC data, which can be as much as 35 mm (7.26% underestimation) for soil water storage in a 1.5‐m deep profile of our soil.
Core Ideas
Profiling neutron probes can be calibrated in the field to 0.01 m3 m−3 accuracy for different soil horizons.
Use of special equipment for accurate volumetric sampling and depth of reading facilitates calibration.
Multiple samples are needed for a mean soil water content that represents the volume explored by the sensor.
Sensor calibration soil sampling should be within the 90% response volume of the sensor.
Using bulk density to convert mass basis water content to volumetric water content induces considerable error.