Using ground-penetrating radar to investigate variability in selected soil properties

A study was conducted to evaluate ground-penetrating radar as a tool for detecting lateral extent and depth of diagnostic subsurface features and their spatial variability on the southern coastal plain of Georgia. Texture, gravimetric water, bulk density, available water, and dielectric constant were determined for soil samples at each site. An impulse radar was used on transects laid out in three areas in the coastal plain region. Spatial variability in depth and lateral extent of argillic horizons and in water tables were accurately measured by ground-penetrating radar (r = 0.94 and r = 0.98, respectively). Ground-penetrating radar was used to determine contact depth to geologic materials underlying sand deposits. Ground-penetrating radar may be used to monitor subsurface features that have contrasting dielectric constants.