SSHCZO -- Soil Moisture -- COSMOS Probe -- Shale Hills -- (2011-2016)

The COsmic-ray Soil Moisture Observing System (COSMOS) involves measuring low-energy cosmic-ray neutrons above the ground, whose intensity is inversely correlated with soil water content and with water in any form above ground level (Note: the contributions from subsurface and surface waters are distinguishable). The instrument, called a 'cosmic-ray moisture probe,' is brand new, but it is built on existing technologies that are put together in an innovative way. The use of such tried and tested technologies means the instrument and the technique are less likely to fail when deployed. It is proposed to use this novel technique to measure soil moisture content (and/or snow/vegetation water) in a network of 500 cosmicray water probes installed across the USA. Most probes will be installed in existing facilities, which will simplify the logistics, make the probes secure, and facilitate long-term operations and maintenance. The following data will be available to all in near-real time over the internet: neutron counts in two energy bands (fast, > 1 keV; and thermal, < 0.5 eV), soil water content, snow pack water equivalent (and possibly also vegetation water equivalent), temperature, pressure and relative humidity. The deployment will be in two phases: (1) Years 1-2: 50 probes, to identify and rectify any remnant technical issues associated with routine field use of the instrument; to identify and rectify any data collection, processing and distribution issues; and to better understand probe responses over different terranes and vegetations; (2) Years 3-5: 450 probes forming the COSMOS network. The facility will continue operating indefinitely after deployment, perhaps under the auspices of a government agency, to provide data on a continuing basis. (Text from COSMOS project web site at the University of Arizona - see external link.)
Date Range Comments: End Date should always be current day. Posted End Date is last time this page was edited.