Effects of laboratory procedures on soil electrical property measurements

Laboratory measurements of electrical properties of soils were conducted using coaxial, waveguide, and free-space techniques. Results demonstrate that sample preparation can be a significant factor, and that extrapolation of data collected over a limited frequency range should be undertaken cautiously. The importance of both volumetric moisture and soil density in determining soil electrical properties is discussed. Further research is indicated to ascertain the mechanisms relating soil density and its electromagnetic response