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Sediment Runoff from Croplands

D & A assisted the USDA National Sedimentation Laboratory by providing OBS-3s and technical support for a study of sediment production from tilled agricultural lands in the southeastern U.S. NSL scientists developed a special mount for installing OBS’ in drain pipes so SSC, water, and sediment discharge could be simultaneously measured. The NSL study is providing insight into the processes that transport fine sediment from fields where it is a precious resource to streams and rivers where it can be a costly nuisance and violation of water quality standards.

National Sedimentation Laboratory

OBS sensor installed in fieldside drain pipe.

Tilled field and data-logging equipment