Construction of our new test field for MAR "Rapid Infiltration Basin" is now completed

The construction of the MAR field test Rapid Infiltration Basin - MAR-RIB (4.0 m x 5.0 m x 1.6 m) is now completed. The soil filling and compaction started during the second week of April 2016 and was finished four weeks afterwards. During this time, 50 000 kilograms of sandy soil were poured in, together with a 3-layer data aquisition system consisting of 12 tensiometers, TDR’s and suction cups. The test field scale MAR-RIB will feed the data base of the INOWAS Decision Support System and an analysis of the scaling effect with the infiltration tank and the infiltration column will be also performed. In the next weeks the unit will be tested with tap water infiltration intervals to check the functionality of the sensors. After the check, Elbe river water will be infiltrated with the programmed annual loading rate and various wet-dry ratios scenarios, in order to investigate the processes that influence the most in the optimization of MAR. Next to the infiltration unit a tent was constructed to store the data logger that collects the readings in time of the four physical parameters per observation point (tension, water content, temperature and conductivity) and controls the three vacuum pumps for the suction cups. Specials thanks are extended to our intern HSE student BSc. Sina Shahabi; without him the filling activities would have taken much longer.