An automated, real-time monitoring system for the determination of redox and microbial activity in unsaturated zone and/or the rhizosphere environments- This would allow for improved characterization of the subsurface environments- The sensor system is based on microbial fuel cell technology- The sensor system is composed of an anode, cathode and measurement circuitry- Neither the anode or cathode assemblies require the presence of an aqueous solution- Therefore, the system may be deployed in dry oxidizing soils- There is currently no commercially available technology for unsaturated zones for the measurement of soil potentials in dry soils-
