Stieglitz, Thomas, Ridd, Peter V., and Hollins, Suzanne (2000) A small sensor for detecting animal burrows and monitoring burrow water conductivity. Wetlands Ecology and Management, 8 (1). pp. 1-7.

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Abstract

An electrical conductivity probe for measuring ground conductivity is described. The probe measures bulk ground conductivity in situ and can assist in locating animal burrows on a centimeter scale and in monitoring conductivity of burrow waters over long period of times. It is shown how burrow caves are located by their conductivity contrast relative to the soil. The conductivity of the water in a burrow cave 70thinspcm under the swamp surface has been recorded over 15 days. The conductivity dropped during/after periods of significant rainfall, and rapidly increased during tidal inundation of the swamp. At times with neither freshwater nor saltwater input through the openings of the burrow on the surface, the conductivity slowly increased presumably due to diffusion of salt through the burrow walls. The diffusion constant was estimated to be 2 × 10–9 m2/s, being comparable to previously determined diffusion constants for diffusion of salt within the substrate.

Item ID:	13047
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1572-9834
Keywords:	burrows; conductivity sensor; diffusion; mangrove swamp; salinity
Date Deposited:	03 Jul 2012 03:24
FoR Codes:	04 EARTH SCIENCES > 0405 Oceanography > 040503 Physical Oceanography @ 51% 04 EARTH SCIENCES > 0406 Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience > 040603 Hydrogeology @ 49%
SEO Codes:	97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970102 Expanding Knowledge in the Physical Sciences @ 51% 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9699 Other Environment > 969999 Environment not elsewhere classified @ 49%
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