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ARS Home Northeast Area University Park, Pennsylvania Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research Research Publications at this Location





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Title:   Author  item
                                            WILLIAMS, MARK - Pennsylvania State Universityitem
                                            Feyereisen, Garyitem
                                            Folmar, Gordon
  Submitted to: ASABE Annual International Meeting
                                    Publication Type: Abstract Only
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 6/21/2009
                                    Publication  Date: 6/24/2009
                                    Citation: Williams, M.R., Feyereisen, G.W., Folmar, G.J. 2009. Experimental System for Simulating a Natural Soil Temperature Profile during Freeze-thaw Cycles. ASABE Annual International Meeting. Paper No. 096281.Interpretive Summary: An interpretive summary is not required.
                                Technical Abstract: In order to better assess the effects of freeze-thaw cycles on soil physical properties, water and contaminant transport, and microbial activity, a simple experimental soil thermal cycling system was developed. The system consisted of an insulated bin containing four cylindrical PVC lysimeters encased in sand, with a commercially-available heating cable located in the bottom of the sand mass.  The heating cable created an upward heat flux representative of heat flow in soil under field conditions.  In order to test the system, the sand-soil temperature at the bottom of the bin was set at a range of 0 to 5 deg C in 1 deg C increments.  Observed hourly temperatures as well as soil temperature gradients and freezing and thawing rates are reported for three freeze-thaw cycles.  The experimental system was successful in reproducing a natural vertical temperature profile in the soil and minimizing large fluctuations in subsurface soil temperatures relative to changes in air temperature.


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