A probe method for soil water sampling and subsurface measurements

A technique employing lightweight driving and sampling equipment to obtain interstitial soil water samples is described. It can also be used for hydraulic conductivity, temperature, and water pressure measurements. The sampler consists of a probe, with a shield, a porous metal filter and a check valve which are connected to the surface by plastic tubing inside standard EW or A drill rod. The water sample is collected with a bailer lowered inside the tubing from the surface. The tubing can then be cleared and sealed without pulling the drill rod and the sampler driven to the next depth. A method of estimating the probe shape factor is given. Some of the difficulties unique to sampling interstitial water in thawed subsea permafrost are discussed.