Fonovaya Observatory: Soil Temperature Measurements

The long-term monitoring of atmospheric parameters in the surface air layer is conducted at the Fonovaya Observatory. To study biophysical processes in the active soil layer, a soil temperature measurement complex was put into operation. Four-year series of soil temperatures in the 0–320 cm layer at the measuring site with natural cover are analyzed. It has been established that positive temperatures are observed from May to October to depths of 320 cm. The maximal depth of seasonal freezing did not exceed 60 cm. The standard deviation of soil temperature at all depths in winter is 2–4 times smaller than the standard deviation in summer. The daily variation in soil temperature from April to October is clearly expressed to a depth of 10 cm, below which the amplitude of the daily variation fades. From November to March, the amplitude of the daily variation is minimal (0.02°C). The results can be used to study biophysical processes in the active soil layer and gas exchange at the soil–air boundary.