Abstract
An investigation was carried out to assess the potential of using polysulfone hollow fibres for the extraction of soil solution. In comparison to ceramic suction samplers the fibres were shown to contain very low levels of potential contaminants and a low exchange capacity. Carry over between individual samples was negligible permitting the accurate monitoring of temporal changes in solution chemistry. Their flexible and root sized nature makes them ideal for sampling small soil volumes. Some concern however remains about retention of colloidal Fe at the fibre interface. When comparing the soil solution of samples extracted with polysulfone fibres with those extracted by ceramic suction samplers, no significant differences in solute concentrations were observed. No sample contamination resulting from dissolution of Al or Si from the ceramic cup was detected. Analysis of soil solutions collected over a number of extractions, and during and after a rainfall event showed concentrations of elements in solution to remain relatively constant with time.
