Abstract
Evaporation is an important part of the hydrological cycle. This paper discusses the materials and methods we used to develop an evaporometer, which measures evaporation from the water surface, like a drop in water level. The main problem is that there are relatively small differences in the levels measured directly in the field. During the research, we tested conductive filament and stainless steel as measuring electrode materials. We used 3D printing in combination with low-cost open-source electronics and a hand-etched circuit board to make a device which measures the free water surface level. A 3D printed jig is used when assembling the device, and this ensures that the contact electrodes are set precisely. Another 3D printed jig is used to create the etched circuit board, which holds all the electronic devices. The device uses the low-cost open-source Arduino Uno electronics microcontroller board. Our results show that high-precision measurements can be gathered with the use of open-source electronics in 3D printed housing. The device is also durable and easy to maintain.
Highlights
Anming HuThe major components of the hydrological cycle are precipitation, evaporation, transpiration, infiltration, groundwater, and streamflow
Our results show that high-precision measurements can be gathered with the use of open-source electronics in 3D printed housing
Rapid prototyping is one of the primary uses for 3D printing. We chose this method for the first trial and error tests, and during the testing, we found several ways in which 3D printing can improve the final design
Summary
The major components of the hydrological cycle are precipitation, evaporation, transpiration, infiltration, groundwater, and streamflow. Precipitation moving in macropores and mesopores that are well connected vertically through the entire soil mantle is the primary mechanism for the resupply of groundwater, known as groundwater recharge [1]. Evaporation is the movement of water from the liquid state to the vapor state and to the atmosphere. The process effectively reduces the moisture in the soil on leaves that have been moistened by rain, or the moisture in the water body itself. Transpiration, another major evaporative process, is water that moves from the soil and roots via the plant’s internal moisture supply system to the atmosphere
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