ENGINEERING AND OPERATION OF A LYSIMETER STATION FOR THE ESTIMATION OF PESTICIDE LEACHING THROUGH SOIL PROFILES

An above ground, air-conditioned, lysimeter station was constructed fo r measuring pesticide leaching into soil profiles (Fluvisol; Cambisol) . Specially transport in soil macropores was investigated by using spr inkler irrigation simulating high precipitation. Twelve soil monoliths (30 diameter, 100 cm depth) can be investigated simultaneously. Engin eering and operation of this station are described. The lysimeters con sist of stainless steel cylinders with a special leaching water collec tor and low pressure equipment. In the soil monolith tensiometers with electronic pressure transducer and temperature sensors are installed. Measured data are recorded with a PC continously.