Lysimeters Without Edge Flow: An Improved Design and Sampling Procedure

TLDR

The study presents a modified lysimeter design and sampling procedure that prevents edge flow in large soil monolith lysimeters. An internal cutting ring creates a small annular gap at the base of the casing, which is filled with liquefied petrolatum to form a water‑tight seal around the lysimeter edge. The petrolatum seal prevented water and solute leakage, proving suitable for water‑flux and nutrient‑leaching studies but unsuitable for pesticide studies.

Abstract

A description is given of a modified lysimeter design and sampling procedure designed to prevent edge flow from occuring in large soil monolith lysimeters. An internal cutting ring at the base of the lysimeter casing produced a small annular gap between the soil monolith and the wall of the casing. This gap was filled with liquefied petrolatum, which provided a water-tight seal around the edge of the lysimeter. Water and solutes were unable to leak between the monolith and casing. The use of petrolatum as a sealant is suitable for water-flux and nutrient-leaching studies, but is not suitable for pesticide studies.