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Electro‐Optic Detection of Liquid in Translucent Porous Material
Author(s) -
Cary J. W.,
McBride J. F.,
Simmons C. S.
Publication year - 1989
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/sssaj1989.03615995005300050051x
Subject(s) - attenuation , materials science , vadose zone , porosity , porous medium , absorption (acoustics) , water content , electrical resistance and conductance , water table , polyethylene , groundwater , optics , mineralogy , composite material , environmental science , soil water , soil science , geology , geotechnical engineering , physics
The amount of light transmitted through translucent porous materials can be accurately and inexpensively measured with a phototransistor or a CdS resistance cell. The results presented here suggest that light attenuation measurements in fritted glass or fibrous filters may be more easily calibrated to soil‐water content than the electrical resistance blocks that are commercially available because of reduced sensitivity to salt concentration. Light attenuation measurement in porous polyethylene offers a practical and inexpensive way to detect an organic liquid in the vadose zone or on the surface of the groundwater table. Light attenuation measurements also correlate with changes in water content in plant leaves.