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Construction and Performance of Rugged Ceramic Cup Soil Water Samplers

U.S. Forest Service. North Central Forest Exp. Stn., 1831 Highway 169 East, Grand Rapids, MN 55744

*Corresponding author (/s=d.stone/oul=s23102a{at}mhs-fswa.attmail.com).

ABSTRACT

To assess solute concentration changes associated with soil compaction and organic matter removal resulting from forest harvesting, we constructed and field tested ceramic cup soil water samplers designed to withstand the forces of compaction by heavy equipment. They were installed with the cup at either the 30-or 60-cm depth; the vacuum and collection tubes rested on the soil surface during treatment. Moderate compaction consisted of a double pass across the plots with a 19 400 kg crawler tractor (60 kPa ground pressure), advancing one track width (61 cm) each pass. Severe compaction included the moderate treatment followed by a double pass with a 20 455 kg rubber-tired, front-end loader (110-120 kPa), advancing one tire width (52 cm) each pass. Cleats on the tracks of the bulldozer pinched the polyethylene tubes on 25% of the samplers, but they were easily repaired. Severe compaction apparently damaged the ceramic cup on one of the 18 samplers installed at the 30-cm depth. Sample acquisition averaged 86% without reestablishing the vacuum during 3- to 4-wk intervals between collections. The samplers appear well suited for use in studies involving soil compaction by heavy equipment.

Received for publication August 15, 1994.