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USGS 473426095052447 1402G-00 Bemidji Toxics Research Site
Bemidji Toxics Research Site Monitoring Site
1402G-00
County:
Beltrami
Township:
Lamers (T147N R35W)
Location:
In forest, 3.7 miles north of US Hwy. 2, 2.3 miles SE of
Pinewood, MN
Land-surface elevation:
1420.00 ±0.03 feet, NAVD88
Installation:
May 14, 2014, for the Bemidji Toxics Research Site
Site
Information
Total Drilling Depth:
33.0 feet
Use:
Monitoring, for the U.S. Geological Survey. This is a
continuous data monitoring station, which is monitoring various
parameters in the vadose/unsaturated zone, at a crude oil spill
site. At this site's location, crude oil is floating on-top of
the groundwater, at the water table.
This site is operated in cooperation with the U.S. Geological
Survey's Toxic Substances Hydrology Program, Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency, Enbridge Energy Inc., and Beltrami County.
Soil temperature is accurate to 0.1°C, and differences in
temperature are accurate to 0.1°C.
Soil moisture is accurate to 3%, and differences in soil moisture
are accurate to <0.05%. The sensors used to record soil moisture at
these sites measure liquid water. When soil water freezes in the
vicinity of the sensors, the sensors record an apparent decrease in
soil moisture. This apparent decrease in soil moisture is caused by the
sensors’ inability to detect frozen water rather than
actual changes in soil water content. For the uppermost sensor (0-30cm)
at this site, soil moisture values are variably affected by freezing
beginning with the onset of soil frost in the fall and continuing
through spring thaw. It is difficult to ascertain how much of the soil
moisture changes during the fall to spring periods are due to
freezing/thawing of soil water versus infiltration of precipitation or
thawing snow. Sensors installed at 50cm and below have a much more
pronounced decrease in soil moisture when soil water freezes, followed
by a subsequent sharp increase when soil water thaws.
This station managed by the Mounds View Field Office.
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