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Using Ground‐Penetrating Radar to Delineate Subsurface Features along a Wetland Catena
Author(s) -
Lapen D. R.,
Moorman B. J.,
Price J. S.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1996.03615995006000030035x
Subject(s) - ground penetrating radar , geology , wetland , radar , remote sensing , groundwater , geomorphology , geotechnical engineering , computer science , telecommunications , ecology , biology
Continuous descriptions of the spatial variability of subsurface materials are desirable in many hydrogeological studies. However, traditional point‐measurement techniques, such as soil coring and pit excavation, are destructive and provide an incomplete characterization of the subsurface. In this study, ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) was used to continuously and nondestructively map shallow subsurface features along a small wetland catena in southeastern Newfoundland. Detailed profiles of soil dielectric constant and common midpoint velocity surveys were used to determine radar pulse velocities through subsurface features. Major reflectors identified in the study included: (i) organic soil‐mineral soil contact, (ii) placic horizons (saturated mineral soil‐unsaturated mineral soil contacts), (iii) water tables (unsaturated mineral soil‐saturated mineral soil contact), and (iv) mineral soil‐bedrock contact. Thicknesses of major soil features were estimated from radar profiles and compared with thicknesses determined from soil core‐auger data. The relationship between estimated and observed thicknesses is strong ( r = 0.99). Spatial relationships between placic horizons and wetland community types were also identified.