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Statistical Parameters and Reproducibility of the Neutron Method of Measuring Soil Moisture
Author(s) -
Stone John F.,
Shaw R. H.,
Kirkham Don
Publication year - 1960
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1960.03615995002400060006x
Subject(s) - gravimetric analysis , neutron probe , reproducibility , neutron , moisture , environmental science , sampling (signal processing) , soil science , water content , mathematics , materials science , neutron temperature , statistics , geology , chemistry , physics , nuclear physics , geotechnical engineering , neutron cross section , optics , composite material , organic chemistry , detector
The neutron device used in the study was essentially that of Stone et al., Soil Sci. Sco. Am. Proc. 19:419‐423. 1955. Reproducibility (that is, repeat performance at a given location) of the neutron device was evaluated in the laboratory and in the field. Observed coefficients of variation for laboratory and field were about 1.5% to 2.5%. Random counting error component accounted for most of this percentage. In comparing gravimetric sampling with neutron measurements at the same locations, a rather poor agreement was observed within locations, but overall average difference in indicated moisture was < 0.1 inch of water per 6‐inch soil depth. Poor individual agreement is believed to be due to limitations of bulk density determination and not to the neutron device. A comparison of the relative abilities of the aravimetric and neutron methods to evaluate moisture in a set of plots where sampling locations were randomized indicates that use of seven gravimetric sites for each neutron site gives a comparable standard error of the mean.