Low cost, Autonomous NMR and Multi-sensor Soil Monitoring Instrument

This proposal addresses the need for low-cost sensors to provide accurate, long-term in-situ monitoring of soil moisture content, and other physical and chemical soil properties of relevance to carbon cycling. Vista Clara proposes to develop very low-cost, highly accurate unattended NMR soil moisture measurement sensors for long term monitoring of soil moisture and other physical and chemical properties of soils. The end product of the effort will be a rugged, self-powered, instrument, with simplified low-cost NMR sensors and the capability to incorporate other off-the-shelf soil chemical and physical property sensors. The Phase 2 research will develop and demonstrate analytical methods for utilizing the NMR-measured T2 relaxation distribution to detect and quantify the potential for carbon mineralization in near surface soils. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits This technology will directly benefit any business or government agency requiring and accurate low cost means of monitoring soil moisture content. The target market segments include agriculture, non-food horticulture, groundwater management and remediation, construction, civil and engineering. Soil moisture content, and its distribution in space and time, has a critical impact on many large and important industries, human health, and ecosystem health including: food production, non-food horticulture, groundwater management, contaminant remediation, construction, civil engineering (geotechnical engineering), and inspection of water management structures such as dams and levees. Our proposed development of rapid and accurate NMR-based soil moisture measurement tools will improve the understanding and management of moisture and hydrocarbons in soils, benefiting critical human activities and industries worldwide.