Measuring Soil Bulk Density Profiles with a Single Probe Gamma Density Gauge

by J. L. Wright, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Kimberly, United States,
R. G. Allen, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Kimberly, United States,
G. L. Dickey, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Kimberly, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Management of Irrigation and Drainage Systems: Integrated Perspectives

Abstract:

Calibrating neutron depth gauges for measuring soil water content profiles requires soil bulk density data. In this study, the feasibility of using a single probe gamma density gauge to measure the soil wet bulk density was investigated for use in neutron gauge calibration. The same sites, access tubes, and conventional gravimetric soil data used for the ASCE Neutron Gauge Calibration Study were used for the Gamma Gauge Study. Iterative procedures were successfully developed to calibrate the gamma density gauge, and then to convert wet bulk density to dry bulk density data for the three soil sites studied.

Subject Headings: Density (material) | Soil water | Calibration | Probe instruments | Gamma function | Density currents | Soil analysis

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