Project Number: 3622-12610-001-01
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Aug 30, 2005
End Date: Sep 20, 2008

Objective:
The overall goal of the research is to develop and test a real-time soil analysis system, based on flow injection analysis (FIA) and ion-selective field-effect transistor (ISFET) sensors. The specific objective of this cooperative research project is to develop a real-time soil sampler and extraction system for future integration into the overall soil analysis system.

Approach:
The first phase of the project will be the development of a real-time soil sampling and extraction system. This system will build on the knowledge obtained from previous collaborative work on the development of an FIA/ISFET analysis system, sample extraction studies and development of a pneumatic soil sampler. In particular, the latter two studies will provide the basis for the proposed new soil sampling and extraction system. In the second phase, the sampling and extraction system will be tested. Initial tests will determine the precision of the system in collecting a known volume (or mass) of soil. This will be critical to the success of the system and is the most challenging aspect of the project. However, past studies suggest this is feasible within acceptable levels of error. Further tests will evaluate the extraction efficiency and time required to achieve a representative sample extract. Finally, field tests will investigate the effects of interactions between soil type and texture, soil compaction, soil moisture, and travel speed on the precision and accuracy of the system. Project results will be documented in scientific publications and will be presented at national and regional meetings.