Proximal Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy: An Effective Tool to Discern Rain from Irrigation

Proximal gamma-ray spectroscopy is a consolidated technology for continuous and real?time tracing of soil water content at field scale. New developments have shown that this method can also act as an unbiased tool remotely distinguishing rainwater from irrigation without any meteorological support information. Given single detector, the simultaneous observation in gamma spectrum transient increase 214Pb signal, coupled with decrease 40K acts effective proxy rainfall. A both signals is, instead, reliable fingerprint irrigation. We successfully proved rationale two data-taking campaigns performed on agricultural test different crop types (tomato maize). The moisture levels were assessed via signal basis one-time setup calibration. validation against set gravimetric measurements showed excellent results bare vegetated conditions. Simultaneously, observed rain-induced permitted to identify accurately rain events occurred 8852 h data taking.