scholarly journals A photogrammetry-based approach for soil bulk density measurements with an emphasis on applications to cosmogenic nuclide analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Mohren ◽  
Steven A. Binnie ◽  
Gregor M. Rink ◽  
Katharina Knödgen ◽  
Carlos Miranda ◽  
...  

Abstract. The quantification of soil bulk density (ρB) is a cumbersome and time-consuming task when traditional soil density sampling techniques are applied. However, it can be important for terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide (TCN) production rate scaling when deriving ages or surface process rates from buried samples, in particular when short-lived TCN such as in situ 14C are applied. Here we show that soil density determinations can be made using structure-from-motion multi-view stereo (SfM-MVS) photogrammetry-based volume reconstructions of sampling pits. Accuracy and precision tests as found in the literature and as conducted in this study clearly indicate that photographs taken from both a consumer-grade digital single lens mirrorless (DSLM) and a smartphone camera are of sufficient quality to produce accurate and precise modelling results, i.e. to regularly reproduce the true volume and/or density by > 95 %. This finding holds also if a freeware-based computing workflow is applied. The technique has been used to measure ρB along three small-scale (

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 995-1020
Author(s):  
Joel Mohren ◽  
Steven A. Binnie ◽  
Gregor M. Rink ◽  
Katharina Knödgen ◽  
Carlos Miranda ◽  
...  

Abstract. The quantification of soil bulk density (ρB) is a cumbersome and time-consuming task when traditional soil density sampling techniques are applied. However, it can be important for terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide (TCN) production rate scaling when deriving ages or surface process rates from buried samples, in particular when short-lived TCNs such as in situ 14C are applied. Here, we show that soil density determinations can be made using structure-from-motion multi-view stereo (SfM-MVS) photogrammetry-based volume reconstructions of sampling pits. Accuracy and precision tests as found in the literature and as conducted in this study clearly indicate that photographs taken from both a consumer-grade digital single-lens mirrorless (DSLM) and a smartphone camera are of sufficient quality to produce accurate and precise modelling results, i.e. to regularly reproduce the “true” volume and/or density by >95 %. This finding holds also if a freeware-based computing workflow is applied. The technique has been used to measure ρB along three small-scale (<1 km) N–S transects located in the semi-arid to arid Altos de Talinay, northern central Chile (∼30.5∘ S, ∼71.7∘ W), during a TCN sampling campaign. Here, long-term differences in microclimatic conditions between south-facing and north-facing slopes (SFSs and NFSs, respectively) explain a sharp contrast in vegetation cover, slope gradient and general soil condition patterns. These contrasts are also reflected by the soil density data, generally coinciding with lower densities on SFSs. The largest differences between NFSs and SFSs are evident in the lower portion of the respective slopes, close to the thalwegs. In general, field-state soil bulk densities were found to vary by about 0.6 g cm−3 over a few tens of metres along the same slope. As such, the dataset that was mainly generated to derive more accurate TCN-based process rates and ages can be used to characterise the present-day condition of soils in the study area, which in turn can give insight into the long-term soil formation and prevailing environmental conditions. This implies that the method tested in this study may also being applied in other fields of research and work, such as soil science, agriculture or the construction sector.


2014 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 400-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaona Liu ◽  
Sen Lu ◽  
Robert Horton ◽  
Tusheng Ren

2020 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. 1354-1360
Author(s):  
Yili Lu ◽  
Xiaona Liu ◽  
Meng Zhang ◽  
Joshua Heitman ◽  
Robert Horton ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 0 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yili Lu ◽  
Xiaona Liu ◽  
Meng Zhang ◽  
Joshua Heitman ◽  
Robert Horton ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 3859-3872 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Alexander Avery ◽  
Catherine Finkenbiner ◽  
Trenton E. Franz ◽  
Tiejun Wang ◽  
Anthony L. Nguy-Robertson ◽  
...  

Abstract. The need for accurate, real-time, reliable, and multi-scale soil water content (SWC) monitoring is critical for a multitude of scientific disciplines trying to understand and predict the Earth's terrestrial energy, water, and nutrient cycles. One promising technique to help meet this demand is fixed and roving cosmic-ray neutron probes (CRNPs). However, the relationship between observed low-energy neutrons and SWC is affected by local soil and vegetation calibration parameters. This effect may be accounted for by a calibration equation based on local soil type and the amount of vegetation. However, determining the calibration parameters for this equation is labor- and time-intensive, thus limiting the full potential of the roving CRNP in large surveys and long transects, or its use in novel environments. In this work, our objective is to develop and test the accuracy of globally available datasets (clay weight percent, soil bulk density, and soil organic carbon) to support the operability of the roving CRNP. Here, we develop a 1 km product of soil lattice water over the continental United States (CONUS) using a database of in situ calibration samples and globally available soil taxonomy and soil texture data. We then test the accuracy of the global dataset in the CONUS using comparisons from 61 in situ samples of clay percent (RMSE  =  5.45 wt %, R2  =  0.68), soil bulk density (RMSE  =  0.173 g cm−3, R2  =  0.203), and soil organic carbon (RMSE  =  1.47 wt %, R2  =  0.175). Next, we conduct an uncertainty analysis of the global soil calibration parameters using a Monte Carlo error propagation analysis (maximum RMSE  ∼  0.035 cm3 cm−3 at a SWC  =  0.40 cm3 cm−3). In terms of vegetation, fast-growing crops (i.e., maize and soybeans), grasslands, and forests contribute to the CRNP signal primarily through the water within their biomass and this signal must be accounted for accurate estimation of SWC. We estimated the biomass water signal by using a vegetation index derived from MODIS imagery as a proxy for standing wet biomass (RMSE  <  1 kg m−2). Lastly, we make recommendations on the design and validation of future roving CRNP experiments.


1976 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 505-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. S. V. RAGHAVAN ◽  
E. MCKYES ◽  
M. CHASSÉ ◽  
F. MÉRINEAU

A series of tests was performed in a field, freshly prepared and ready for the planting of new trees, to study the pattern of soil density changes under different loads, soil conditions, tire sizes and numbers of passes using a gamma-ray density meter. The change in soil bulk density varied from 0.08 g/cc to 0.48 g/cc for increasing numbers of traverses of tractor and sprayer. The soil bulk density achieved after 15 passes with a tractor and sprayer approximated both the maximum bulk density obtained with a standard Proctor compaction test and the maximum bulk density that has been observed in adjacent orchards that are 30–40 yr old.


Author(s):  
Oksana Lenevych

The article analyses the influence of recreational load on the physical and water-physical properties of brown forest soils. It is established that the complete or partial absence of litter on the pathway contributes to the rapid evaporation of moisture from the upper horizon (0−5 cm) of the soil, reducing the porosity total, increasing the density solid phase and buk density. It was found that with the increase of the buk density by 12,5 % the water permeability of the soil decreases 33 times in comparison with the control. A significant increase in the bulk density of the structure by 39−48 % was found on partway with a width of more than 2 m. On these pathway the surface runoff of water is formed. An increase in the density of the solid phase was recorded. The results of which are characteristic of the Hp horizon of brown forest soils. The overlapping of the trail with wooden flooring on the track “Stezhkamy lehendarnoyi Tustani” had a positive effect on the physical and water-physical properties of the soil. It was found that the indicators of soil bulk density and water permeability were close to the results obtained in the control and only the increase in the density of the solid phase indicates a significant recreational impact in the past. On the roadsides of the same revealed a significant increase in soil density of 1,5 times compared to the control and 1,3 times with the results obtained on the pathway, this indicates a recreational impact to date. It is proposed to use the following criteria for degradation of natural ecosystem: quantitative and qualitative changes in vegetation (meadow ecosystems), presence/absence of forest litter (forest ecosystems), soil density, presence of additional/parallel paths, path width, depth of erosion on the pathway. Establish category (stages) of recreational degression on the tracks the National Park “Skolivski Beskydy”. On the first stage/category (“Unchanged track”) of recreational degression includes trails 0,35−0,70 m wide with relatively close indicators of soil structure bulk density to control and the presence of forest litter on the pathway. The only negative aspect in this category is the insufficient water permeability of the soil. On heavy II category there is forest litter, although its redistribution is mainly traced between the trail and its roadside. In some sections of the trail, where there is no forest litter, it is fixed by increasing the bulk density of the structure to 27 %, the width of the pathway is 0,9−1,2 m and is classified as “Little-changed track”. On pathway with 2,15−3,40 m, there is a complete or partial absence of forest litter. Bulk density increased by 38−39 %, surface water runoff is formed. It is established presence distinct partway, visibled qualitative and quantitative changes in vegetation. The presented data correspond to the pathway of III category and are classified as “Endangered track”. Category IV (“Devastated track”) includes paths on which there is no forest litter, a significant increase in soil density up to 48 %, access to the surface of the root system and the width of the path is 2,60−4,90 m. Key words: recreation influence; soil bulk density; water permeable; pathway; NPP “Skolivski Beskydy”.


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