This paper describes the construction of an inexpensive, lightweight, free-fall lake sediment penetrometer with application to paleolimnological research. This penetrometer is suitable for use in a variety of fresh water lake settings. Data are collected on a laptop PC, Palm OS handheld, or a Texas Instruments handheld data collection unit and are analysed using commercially available software. The quality of these data are adequate for determining changes in substrate type based on hardness. The unit can also be used to locate sites for optimum penetration of gravity cores and to calibrate sonar records. Addition of up to three optional transducers could expand the capabilities of the unit. Other potential uses include the determination of specific geotechnical properties of the lake sediment including the undrained shear strength.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.