A computer-controlled, automated sample collection from a 0.5-m lysimeter, designed to give superior temporal and spatial resolution for monitoring the movement of chemical tracers through a large undisturbed soil block, is described. The soil block, 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.5 m, was monitored for saturation using eight time domain reflectometry probes. Rainfall was applied at approximately 1600 ml h(-1) using a 12212 array of 23-gauge (0.318 mm internal diameter) hypodermic needles. Soil leachates were collected at the base of the soil block using a machined aluminium collection plate with a 10 x 10 grid of funnels that passed leachates to sample collection palettes. Sample collection was automated using a personal computer equipped with National Instruments LabVIEW software and linked to sensors for palette tracking. The automation of the lysimeter allowed sample collection and storage over a user-defined period with no human interaction. As an example of the use of the automated lysimeter, results show the distribution of phosphate within the soil. The eluted phosphate showed an initial and secondary peak, and only emerged from preferential flow channels.
Indisputably, water is an important resource. On the other hand, sustainable water resource management forms part of the key global development concerns. The present study, therefore, sought to establish sustainable measures used in the management of water resources in Kipkelion West Sub-County, Kenya. The descriptive research design was used in this study. A total of 394 households were surveyed together with interviewing 10 key informants within Kipkelion West Sub-County. The descriptive research design was used in this study. Findings from the present study revealed that for, household use, most residents sourced their water from rivers and streams at 35%, rainwater collection at 25%, springs at 22%, piped water at 11%, water vendors and boreholes at 3% and finally ponds and dams sharing 1%. In addition, most households do not incur any direct financial charges when sourcing for water. It was further pinpointed that negative indicators affected the sustainability of the water resources in Kipkelion West Sub-County and the manner in which the residents manage the available resources. Taken together, stakeholders in water resource management work independent of each other with occasional collective efforts.
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