'Pocket'

PAL-Soil

Soil Moisture Meter Cat. No.4571

Measurement method in accordance with ISO 16586:2003 "Soil quality – Determination of soil water content as a volume fraction on the basis of known dry bulk density – Gravimetric."

Construction Irrigation Construction

Save on time, labor, and material with PAL-Soil.

A measurement only takes 10 minutes whether out in the fields or in the lab.





Measurement Method

1

Gravimetric Measurement Volumetric Measurement 2

(1) Measure out 50ml (2) Measure out 30ml of Glycerin

Soil

of soil, using a sand-glycerin and place it in a 15g

15g

pouring cylinder or

re-sealable plastic bag.

soil sampler.

g

g

Glycerin

Measure out an equal amount Soil 50ml

30ml

Mix the soil and glycerin thoroughly.

each of soil and glycerin.

3

4

5

°C

Place filter paper on the prism and Press the START key.

Measurement value is place the soil-glycerin mixture on top.

displayed in 3 seconds.

Commentary

Comparison between refractometers and oven-dry method for determination of gravimetric water content (%) of soil What is gravimetric soil moisture?

Glycerol-Extr

As defined by ISO 16586:2003, soil quality is the water content % of soil expressed by mass (weight). It is the mass of water relative to the mass of oven-dried soil. Soil is dried (refr

action Refr

in an 110˚C±5˚C oven.

actometer)

actometr

*This measurement method was developed by Professor Wada at Kyushu University and has proven to have a strong correlation with ISO 16586:2003.

y (GER)

Ma-Mb

• w

= Gravimetric soil moisture (%)

• Mb = Mass of soil after drying in the oven w =

×100

• Ma = Mass of soil before drying in the oven • Ma-Mb = Mass of water in soil Mb

Oven-drying at 105˚C

What is volumetric soil moisture?

Soil Moisture

It is the water content % of soil expressed by volume. It is the volume of water relative to air

the total volume of a soil sample. A sand-pouring cylinder is commonly used.

Vw

water

(Ma-Mb)

The PAL-Soil calculates the water content of soil by measuring a decline in the refractive index of glycerin after it is mixed with water at the 5:3 ratios. It utilizes the water-V

Ma

absorbing properties of glycerin.

soil

Mb

Vw

• θ

= Volumetric soil moisture (%)

• V = Total volume of soil sample θ =

×100

• Vw = Volume of water V

Specifications

Measurement

• Gravimetric soil moisture: 0 to 200% (Automatic Temperature Compensation) range

• Volumetric soil moisture: 0 to 100%

• Temperature: 10.0 to 40.0˚C

• Gravimetric soil moisture:1%

• Volumetric soil moisture: 1%

Resolution

• Temperature: 0.1˚C

• Gravimetric soil moisture: ±2% (0 to 40%), ±5% (41 to 100%) Measurement

• Volumetric soil moisture (Repeatability): ±1% (0 to 60%), ±2% (61 to 100%) accuracy

• Temperature: ±1˚C

Measurement

10 to 40˚C

Power supply

AAA alkaline battery × 2

temperature

Ambient

About 11,000 measurements 10 to 40˚C

Battery life

temperature

(when an alkaline battery is used) Option

Pocketable Scale

• AAA alkaline batteries Always clean and shiny -

• Filter paper

International

• Re-sealable plastic storage bags can be cleaned under IP65 Water Resistant Accessories

Protection class

• Beaker

running water.

• Plastic tweezers

Dimensions

55(W) × 31(D) × 109(H)mm and weight

100g

• Plastic spoon

*Purchase a premium quality glycerin reagent from a local pharmacy or reagent store.

ATAGO products comply with HACCP, All ATAGO refractometers are designed and manufactured in Japan.

GMP, and GLP standards.

The Front Tower Shiba Koen, 23rd Floor 2-6-3 Shiba-koen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0011, Japan TEL: 81-3-3431-1943 FAX: 81-3-3431-1945 overseas@atago.net http://www.atago.net/

V.02 12070000PP Printed in Japan