Application example: Microorganisms in soil – A Laboratory Lysimeter Experiment

The initial setup of three laboratory lysimeters, delivered by ecoTech in 2022, has been expanded to six, creating an enhanced experimental system to investigate the growth of microorganisms in soil. The aim of this experiment is to understand the processes of soil colonisation, uncover microbiome succession, and identify the physicochemical factors that influence both colonisation and growth.

• Control of irrigation through ecoTech’s rain head.
• Simultaneous monitoring of control parameters in the soil that significantly influence the solubility of substances: pH value, redox potential, water tension, soil moisture content, and conductivity.
• Additional monitoring of oxygen exchange within the soil and in the air above the soil.
• Measurement of solution concentrations in soil water from different depths within the lysimeter using miniature suction cups, as well as collection of pore water through the base of the lysimeter.

The devices were manufactured by ecoTech, personally delivered to the Swiss Federal Technology Institute of Lausanne (EPFL) and installed in the laboratories of EPFL in Switzerland in cooperation with the scientific staff.

Jedes Lysimeter umfasst:

Each lysimeter includes:

• Laboratory lysimeter with minimal sorption
• Sprinkler head for laboratory lysimeter
• High precision membrane dosing pump
• Mechanical vacuum control
• Data logger enviLog Midi
• 12 x redox electrodes
• 6 x pH electrodes
• 6 x miniature plastic suction cups
• 6 x Trime Pico 32 – soil moisture sensors
• 6 x mini tensiometers – matrix potential
• • 1 x weighing platform

EPFL – Swiss Federal Technology Institute of Lausanne
Environmental Microbiology Laboratory

Contact persons:
Dr. Tom Girard
Ms. Manon Frutschi