Left: Mike assembles the platforms used for holding the carboys under the leaf trays. Above: Ale and Mike install the chickenwire fencing around the field station, while Ashish works on securing the platforms.

Geosciences facilities manager John Fahey was a major help in the construction.

After the carboy platforms are in place, Mike puts the finishing touches on the fence.

One of the major redesigns for this season included a means of channeling the leachate into carboys without the use of tubes and epoxy. This was accomplished using the "funnel-bottom basins," which rest directly on the carboys. Leaves are contained within the basin, supported by plastic mesh.

With the construction completed, the basins are ready for leaves.

As with the old station, the leaves are retained in the basins using a fine polypropylene mesh.

First day of sampling. Left: Ale removes the carboys and collects leachate samples. Above: After sampling the leachate, the basins are clipped back into positon.

Winter, 2005. Routine collection of leachate and leaves for spectroscopy. Mass-balance basins are placed in plastic bags and brought back to the lab intact.