Controlling suspended sediment samplers by programmable calculator and interface circuitry

Rand E. Eads; Mark R. Boolootian

Treesearch

Controlling suspended sediment samplers by programmable calculator and interface circuitry

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Rand E. Eads, Mark R. Boolootian

Year:

1985

Type:

Miscellaneous Publication

Station:

Pacific Southwest Research Station

Source:

Research Note PSW-376. Berkeley, California: Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. 8 p.

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Download (PDF 172 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/7758.pdf

Abstract

A programmable calculator connected to an interface circuit can control automatic samplers and record streamflow data. The circuit converts a voltage representing water stage to a digital signal. The sampling program logs streamflow data when there is a predefined deviation from a linear trend in the water elevation. The calculator estimates suspended sediment discharge from rating coefficients for the gauging site. When a threshold value of accumulated suspecded sediment discharge is reached, the calculator sends a signal to the interface circuit that activates a pumping sampler. The sampling program is easily updated, and data are transferred to a computer by using a digital cassette recorder. This system increases sampling flexibility and efficiency.

Keywords

PSW4351, Caspar Creek, automatic pumping samplers, streamflow, suspended sediment, sampling, water quality, data logger, programmable calculator

Citation

Eads, Rand E.; Boolootian, Mark R. 1985. Controlling suspended sediment samplers by programmable calculator and interface circuitry. Research Note PSW-376. Berkeley, California: Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. 8 p.