HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Free Full Text (PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (2) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Ochsner, T. E. Articles by Horton, R. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Ochsner, T. E. Articles by Horton, R. Agricola Articles by Ochsner, T. E. Articles by Horton, R. Related Collections Heat Transport Agroclimatology

Agroclimatology

Field Tests of the Soil Heat Flux Plate Method and Some Alternatives

^a Soil & Water Management Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, St. Paul, MN 55108
^b National Soil Tilth Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, Ames, IA 50011
^c Dep. of Agronomy, Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA 50011

^* Corresponding author (ochsner{at}umn.edu)

Received for publication August 29, 2005. Heat flux plates are commonly used to measure soil heat flux, a component of the surface energy balance. The plate method is simple and precise, but several previous studies have demonstrated the potential for relatively large errors. Here we present the results of in situ tests of the plate method, and we describe some promising alternative methods. Summertime soil heat flux was measured with heat flux plates and with two alternative methods at each of three sites. In total, three alternative methods were used: a single probe gradient method, a three needle gradient method, and a self-calibrating plate method. The standard plate method underestimated the magnitude of the heat flux by 18 to 66% depending on the site and type of plate. Agreement between the alternative methods was good with discrepancies ranging from 2 to 6%. The plates underestimate flux apparently due to a combination of low plate thermal conductivity, thermal contact resistance, and latent heat transfer effects. The three needle gradient method for measuring heat flux performed well at all three sites, providing a good alternative to the standard plate method. The self-calibrating plate method performed well at the one site where it was tested and may also be a good alternative. Increased adoption of these methods should lead to more accurate soil heat flux and surface energy balance data.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				F. Zvomuya, F. J. Larney, S. M. McGinn, A. F. Olson, and W. D. Willms Surface Albedo and Soil Heat Flux Changes Following Drilling Mud Application to a Semiarid, Mixed-Grass Prairie Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., September 1, 2008; 72(5): 1217 - 1225. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. E. Ochsner and J. M. Baker In Situ Monitoring of Soil Thermal Properties and Heat Flux during Freezing and Thawing Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., July 1, 2008; 72(4): 1025 - 1032. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. L. Steiner and J. L. Hatfield Winds of Change: A Century of Agroclimate Research Agron. J., May 7, 2008; 100(Supplement_3): S-132 - S-152. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. E. Ochsner, T. J. Sauer, and R. Horton Soil Heat Storage Measurements in Energy Balance Studies Agron. J., January 1, 2007; 99(1): 311 - 319. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]