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Soil physics

Soil physics isn’t just a technical step—it’s the backbone of research that supports everything from ecosystem modeling to land-use planning. But getting consistent, high-quality data from the field or lab can be a challenge, especially when time is short and equipment gets in the way. That’s why METER builds precision instruments that simplify the process without sacrificing accuracy. Our sensors are easy to deploy, built to last, and designed to integrate seamlessly with software that streamlines data collection, visualization, and analysis—so you can spend less time wrestling with tools and more time unlocking the insights buried in your soil.

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Thermal properties

A soil or other material's thermal resistivity and other thermal properties can impact the longevity of in-ground structures, and understanding thermal properties can shed additional light on a material's porosity, moisture content, and saturation. Measure these critical values with the ASTM D5334- and IEEE 442-compliant TEMPOS.

Conductivity

Resistivity

Diffusivity

Specific heat capacity

Resistivity as a function of water content (automated thermal dryout curves)

Use a single soil sample and measure moisture release curves and thermal dryout curves simultaneously with the VARIOS and HYPROP
Use the handheld TEMPOS Thermal Properties Analyzer and a wide range of probe options to measure material thermal conductivity, thermal resistivity, volumetric specific heat, capacity, and thermal diffusivity
Measure a materials thermal resistivity and conductivity with the convenience of the handheld TEMPOS Thermal Properties Analyzer and multiple probe options
Use high precision devices like the TEMPOS Thermal Properties Analyzer to calculate thermal dryout curves, or use the VARIOS for automated calculation.

Lab soil characterization

LABROS is an innovative collection of soil laboratory instruments, each designed to work individually or as part of a larger, automated system. Conduct automated soil particle size analysis and measure soil moisture release curves, saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, and thermal conductivity from a single sample.

Soil particle size analysis

Hydraulic conductivity of unsaturated soil samples

Soil moisture release curves for soil samples

Hydraulic conductivity of saturated soil samples

Streamline your soil characterization methods by using the LABROS suite of laboratory instruments and software to perform accurate, automated analyses from a single soil sample
Measure both saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity from a single soil sample using HYPROP and KSAT laboratory instruments
Get a complete soil moisture release curve using VARIOS and WP4C lab instruments and LABROS software

Field soil hydraulic properties

Measure the movement and distribution of water in the soil to inform water management, predict soil behavior under a variety of moisture conditions, measure groundwater recharge, or optimize agricultural practices for efficient water usage. Field instruments like the SATURO set the standard for simple, accurate, and time-efficient data collection.

Field saturated hydraulic conductivity

Field unsaturated hydraulic conductivity

Field moisture release curve

Water potential

Z See how ZENTRA Cloud can simplify data management 
Get accurate, in situ hydraulic conductivity measurements with less water and simpler processes using SATURO and the Mini Disk Infiltrometer
Generate in situ soil moisture retention curves using TEROS water content sensors, water potential sensors, and tensiometers installed at multiple depths

Soil moisture

Plant growth, microbial activity, nutrient availability and transport, soil erosion, soil compaction, soil respiration, water infiltration and drainage are all dependent on soil moisture. Measure the amount of water and its availability with our water content and water potential sensors.

Volumetric water content

Water potential

Z See how ZENTRA Cloud can simplify data management 
Measure both water content and availability at a single site by installing TEROS water content sensors and TEROS water potential sensors at multiple depths
Measure the soil moisture profile at multiple depths using a single TEROS profile probe or multiple TEROS water content sensors, all connected to a cloud enabled data logger

ZL6 Data Logger next to a tablet and several screenshots. the tablet and screenshots show data visualizations from ZENTRA Cloud software

ZENTRA System

Customize your data collection and logging solution by combining multiple METER sensors with the ZL6 Data Logger and ZENTRA Cloud. ZENTRA stores your data in the cloud, allowing easy access to your data and near-real-time reports from all of your data loggers.

Avoid costly field visits by accessing your data from any web-connected device. Analyze it with ZENTRA Cloud’s built-in visualization tools, and easily share insights without tracking down log files on individual computers.

Learn more about ZENTRA

LABROS System

Streamline your laboratory analyses and reduce human error using the innovative LABROS soil science laboratory collection. Perform automated particle size analysis, generate soil moisture release curves, or measure thermal and hydraulic conductivity with METER laboratory instruments designed to produce accurate analyses in a fraction of the time of other methods.

Even better, LABROS instruments can be combined to perform all of these analyses from a single sample, saving time and reducing measurement errors due to variations in sample characteristics.

See LABROS products

LABROS-capable laboratory instruments from METER, including WP4C, KSAT, VARIOS, and PARIO

Mike Hecht Env Client Quote Graphic 16 9
"The thermal and electrical conductivity probe (made by METER) was probably the only instrument on the Phoenix Lander that worked perfectly from beginning to end."
Dr. Michael Hecht, NASA JPL

Case Studies

See how scientists, growers, and engineers have used METER solutions in the field.
Case Studies
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Ecotron Hasselt

Twelve tailor-made lysimeters help researchers uncover answers today that will help us better respond to changing environmental conditions tomorrow.

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Case Studies
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Making renewable energy possible in Germany

In soil with unfavorable thermal properties that does not allow excess heat to be drawn away properly, buried cables have higher power dissipation and, in the worst cases, can melt underground cables.

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Case Studies
10-minute read

Soil science in outer space

In 2007, METER scientists developed a Thermal and Electrical Conductivity Probe (TECP) probe for NASA’s Phoenix Scout Mission, which landed on Mars May 25, 2008. The solar-powered lander collected data for five months until the sunlight waned, ice took over, and communication ceased.

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