U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 close



Research
                Research Home
                            National Programs
                            Research Projects
                            Scientific Manuscripts
                            International Engagement
                            Scientific Software/Models
                            Databases and Datasets
                            Office of Scientific Quality Review
            Media
                News & Features
                            Multimedia
                            Briefing Room
                            Down on the Farm
                            Press Room
                            Science in Your Shopping Cart
                            Scientific Discoveries
                            Tellus
                            Under the Microscope
            About ARS
                About ARS Home
                            Staff Directory
                            Labs and Research Centers (Map)
                            Headquarter Offices
                            Organizational Chart
                            Employee Services (REE Employees Only)
                            Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity
            Work With Us
                Work With Us Home
                            ARS Vacancies at USAJOBS
                            Careers at ARS Information
                            Scientific Collaborations
                            Extramural Agreements
                            1890 Faculty Research Sabbatical ProgramSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home News & Events News Articles Research News 2003





- ARS News & Events
- AgResearch Magazine
- Image Gallery
- News
- Search News & Events
- Pesticide Drift May Endanger Pollinators
- ARS Seeks a Fire Ant Fix
- Scientific Discoveries 2024
- ARS Featured Photos
- Down on the Farm
- Facebook Live Events
- Food and Nutrition Research Briefs
- News Archive
- Science in Your Shopping Cart
- Scientific Discoveries
- Social Media
- Under the Microscope
- AgResearch magazine
- ARS at Work
- ARS Memorial Lectures
- ARS Science Hall of Fame
- Citrus Disease (Huanglongbing)
- Contact Office of Communications
- Plant Hardiness Zone Map
- Mobile Apps
- Public Affairs Contacts
- Publications and Other Resources
- USDA Blog
- Videos

Archived Page
 This page has been archived and is being provided for reference purposes only. The page is no longer being updated, and therefore, links on the page may be invalid.
 A Low-Cost Collector For Sampling Low-Volume Water Flow By Luis PonsMarch 24, 2003 Small-scale water sampling may become less expensive, and thus possible in more locations, thanks to a compact sample collector designed by Agricultural Research Service scientists. The device collects samples of drip or low-stream flows that can be analyzed for levels of nutrients, pesticides or fine sediment. It also provides total-flow estimates for given time periods. Development of the device was led by ARS agricultural engineer Robert Malone when he was based at the ARS North Appalachian Experimental Watershed in Coshocton, Ohio. The sample collector is small, useful in remote conditions, easy to maintain and easily constructed from readily obtainable materials. It collects about 2 percent of total flow at rates ranging from 0.01 to 3.2 gallons per hour. Analysis of composite water samples is essential for tracking changes in chemical or sediment concentrations in surface water and groundwater. Costs, however, limit the number of sampling locations. Few current samplers can collect, at low cost, both drip flow and continuous-streaming flow from tile drains, large soil blocks and springs. Many of the existing samplers are bulky units that are not designed for drip flow, require extensive circuitry, and cost more than $1,000. According to Malone, his sample collector can be built for $20 to $30, although some digging and construction will sometimes be needed for field use. The sampler, in the form of a cube measuring roughly 5 inches on each side, works by directing percolating water droplets onto a rotating lid that contains a 0.16 inch-wide slot. The slot allows water to flow down into a collection container. The rotating lid is powered by a clock-type motor. The device should handle greater flow rates with minor modifications, according to Malone. It was designed by Malone, who now works at ARS' National Soil Tilth Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, and by hydraulic engineer James Bonta and soil biological technician Donald Lightell, both with ARS at Coshocton. The sample collector may eventually be presented to potential marketers. ARS is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific research agency.


Return to top


Research
                            Media
                            About ARS
                            Work With Us


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov