Groundwater studies

The BGS have been monitoring groundwater and soil moisture interactions at the Hillesden estate since 2018. This has helped build a picture on how soil moisture dynamics influence the function of heavy clay soils, and particularly how interactions with the shallow groundwater impacts crop yield. In AgZero+, this understanding of the soil-groundwater system is being used in the exploration of GHG emissions and storage in the unsaturated zone. Currently little information exists regarding seasonal changes in GHG storage in the unsaturated zone within arable systems. In addition, piezometers have been installed to allow sampling of shallow groundwater (water table) to examine how GHG storage in the unsaturated zone influences seasonal changes in dissolved greenhouse gases, which may be emitted as this drainage water enters surface waters such as rivers.