A Review of Different Types of Lysimeter Used in Solute Transport Studies

Abstract

A review of common types of lysimeter used in solute transport studies was carried out based on their features, working principle, advantages and disadvantages. The Lysimeters are majorly used for solute concentration measurement at the lower boundary (flux concentrations) in solute transport experiments, and in calculating mass balances for addressing scientific problems and pesticide registration. Lysimeters are commonly used in water flow and solute transport studies in soils. They are known to be of major importance in controlling and measuring water components, chemical concentration and fluxes in soil. Some of the different types of lysimeters reviewed in this paper include; pan or zero-tension lysimeters which are passive water samplers, which looks more like a pan, lacking side walls at the uppermost surface of the pan that can be used to collect draining leachates from the soil. Others are; Capillary wick lysimeter also known as wick sampler is a device used in solute transport studies that is used to sample leachates from soil by gravity through a stationary wick material such as fibre glass or rock wool. Suction cups are the commonest used procedure for collecting leachates from the soil. They are easy to install and gives a masterpiece of experience which makes the procedure unique. Suction plate also known as tension plate lysimeter has a similar working principle like that of porous cup. It is used for different extraction plates and also for the entire sampling system. Findings based on this review suggest that the lysimeters reviewed have both advantages and disadvantages. The choice of lysimeter depends on scientific question to be answered by a researcher and the availability of resources for the research. As some of the lysimeters can be constructed using readily available local materials while others involves a rather complex process.