Vadose Zone Monitoring Techniques

Abstract Monitoring fluids of the vadose zone has multiple motives, including detecting contaminants, measuring soil properties and water conditions for construction or monitoring geologic hazards, and determinations of water saturation that may be used for optimizing irrigation. Because fluids must move through the vadose zone to reach the water table, monitoring of the vadose zone allows predicting possible sources and processes of groundwater contamination. Geologic hazards such as landslides, rising water tables, or land subsidence can be partially predetermined by monitoring the vadose zone. And in agriculture, monitoring soil water content to irrigate most efficiently has a long history.