In this study, we investigated the relationship between ground-penetrating radar (GPR) response and agriculture properties of soil with a view to understanding how the constraint of soil degradation may influence the properties. GPR field data measurements were made at a location with soil types, properties, and disturbances caused by tractor movement. The data were processed, and empirical equations relating soil physical properties and material properties of soil media were considered for the analysis of the field data. The results showed a change in the reflection coefficient and increase in the GPR wave velocity when comparing the records of the initial parts of the GPR records, lasting about 2.5 ns, of the signal response of soil subjected to compaction as a result of 10 tractor passes, with those obtained prior to movement of the tractor. The summation of the absolute value of GPR wave amplitude in the analyzed results clearly shows that the amplitude of the signal corresponding to the compressed ground is twice and even three times smaller than the amplitude recorded before the tractor runs. The results prompted the design of a relatively simple method for tracking changes in soil properties based on the results of GPR measurements, which show that zones subjected to direct tire pressure are easy to delineate and are not limited to the part that is directly under the tire, but extend about 0.5 m. It thus shows that there is a relationship between the penetration resistance induced by a change in porosity and changes in the coefficient of reflectivity and the velocity of radar waves.

Analysis of the finite-difference time domain (FDTD) numerical simulation of ground penetrating radar (GPR) measurement for locating burial sites is described in this paper. Effective, efficient, and reliability interpretation of GPR field data obtained from clandestine sites is very crucial in forensic investigations. The main goal of the study is the prediction of the change in the interaction of the electromagnetic incident on changes in buried bodies with time. In order to achieve this, the research involves the modeling of the GPR electromagnetic pulse energy responses to simulated changes in buried body with time with a view to understand what the results of real field measurement will give. The field measurements were conducted with GPR system manufactured by Mala Geoscience with antennae frequency of 500 MHz, 250 MHz, and 100 MHz. Responses from both synthetic and field radargrams depict the target was intercepted at same time (approximately 25 ns). The results have demonstrated that FDTD modeling is an important tool for enhancing the reliability of GPR data interpretation particularly for forensic study.

Spatial and depth variability of soil characteristics greatly influence its optimum utilization and management. Concealing nature of soil subsurface horizons has made the traditional soil investigations which rely on point information less reliable. In this study, an alternative use of ground penetrating radar (GPR)—a near-surface geophysical survey method—was tested to address the shortcomings. The focus of the study was on assessment of characteristics variability of soil layers at a test site and evaluation of effects of compaction caused by machinery traffics on soil. GPR methods utilize electromagnetic energy in the frequency range of 10 MHz and 3.0 GHz. Fourteen profiles GPR data were acquired at the test site-a farmland in Krakow, Poland. Compaction on parts of the soil was induced using tractor movements (simulating traffic effects) at different passes. Data were processed using basic filtering algorithms and attributes computations executed in Reflexw software. Attempt made in the study was on use of GPR geophysical technique for soil assessment. The method allows delineation of the soil horizons which depicts characteristic depth changes and spatial variability within the horizons. Moreover, traffic effects that caused compaction on parts of the soil horizons were discernable from the GPR profile sections. Thus, similar densification like hardpan that may develop in natural setting can be investigated using the method. The results have shown the suitability of the method for quick, noninvasive and continuous soil investigation that may also allow assessment of temporal soil changes via repeated measurement.

Gridded aeromagnetic and aeroradiometric datasets of Isanlu sheet 225 were processed and interpreted in order to map the geological structures and characteristic lithology, as well as potential mineral ore zones in the area. Recorded aeromagnetic data were reduced to the magnetic equator before filtering operations which enhanced the magnetic anomalies. Analytic signal map was created, and subsequently a model was generated along a selected profile for better interpretation of the subsurface materials. On the aeroradiometric data were performed both enhancement and statistical operations. The lithological zones were identified. They are metasedimentary rocks, migmatites and igneous rocks occupying varying proportions within the entire area. Some potential radioactive or precious metal ore zones were also localized. A major structure interpreted in the study area trends in the SE–NW direction. Other surface structures were also delineated and general orientation was evaluated. This information may serve as a valuable database for further prospective research and mineral exploration in the region.

The soil moisture distribution is important in terms of assessment of agricultural conditions for plant cultivations. The aim of this study is to develop methodology for monitoring soil moisture by the use of goundpenerating radar (GPR). This non-invasive geophysical method has been widely introduced for this purpose for the last decade. However, there is still lack of routinly application in agriculture. The main reasons are timeconsuming data processing and aqusition, particulary for multi-offset measurments. In order to fill this gap we tried to adapt single-offset measurment. Our field study contained several measurments for different time span after ground irrigation. We used 800 MHz shielded and 200 MHz unshelded antennas. We focused on ground wave which propagates just beneath the surface. We observed relative velocity and amplitude spectrum changes of air and ground waves after water irrigation. These changes has an explanation in electromagnetic wave propagation theory. Water irrigation causes the increase of ground wave time arrivals and shift of amplitude spectrum towards lower frequencies.

Anthropogenic activities on soil layers contribute to reworking and eventual modification, which, in most cases, are detrimental to the soil. Going by the significance of soil to life in many ramifications, it is imperative that its consistent assessment enhances and guides management practices. This study focuses on delineating soil structure alterations using ground-penetrating radar (GPR), a geophysical survey method. The principle of operation and the simplicity of the technique have attracted the choice of the non-destructive testing (NDT) method with a view that it could circumvent the drawbacks that characterized the conventional methods hitherto used for such evaluation. Furthermore, the technique allows for the spatial investigation of the concealing sub-layer of the soil and, thus, informs its choice. A test site was selected on a plain farmland in Kraków, Poland, where some parts of the soil structure distortions were induced using tractor movement, which exerted normal stress from the soil surface layer. Subsequently, GPR measurements were acquired via pre-established profiles on the test site, and soil samples were taken for the laboratory evaluation of some of the soil’s physical properties. An analysis of the field data revealed that zones of distorted soil structures have lower attenuation effects on the GPR signal, with corresponding lower amplitude values compared with the unaltered soil structure zones. Evaluated physical properties such as bulk density and state variables like moisture water contents also show a declining trend from the unaltered soil structure zone to the altered zones. The results have revealed characteristic signatures of the zone of soil structure alterations from GPR scanning that can enhance its identification and characterization in the field and, thus, promote decision making toward the effective utilization and management of soil.