Current uses of ground penetrating radar in groundwater-dependent ecosystems research

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2017

Authors

Man, A. (Author) Other; Tavares, J. (Author) Other; Carvalho, J. (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Science of the Total Environment

Vol. 595

Pages: 868-885

ISSN: 0048-9697

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 6 Citations

Scopus - 28 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00M-PHJ

DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.03.210

Abstract (EN): Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a high-resolution technique widely used in shallow groundwater prospecting. This makes GPR ideal to characterize the hydrogeological functioning of groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDE). This paper reviews current uses of GPR in GDE research through the construction of a database comprising 91 worldwide GPR case studies selected from the literature and classified according to (1) geological environments favouring GDE; (2) hydrogeological research interests; and (3) field technical and (4) hydrogeological conditions of the survey. The database analysis showed that inland alluvial, colluvial, and glacial formations were the most widely covered geological environments. Water-table depth was the most repeated research interest. By contrast, weathered-marl and crystalline-rock environments as well as the delineation of salinity interfaces in coastal and inland areas were less studied. Despite that shallow groundwater propitiated GDE in almost all the GPR case studies compiled, only one case expressly addressed GDE research. Common ranges of prospecting depth, water-table depth, and volumetric water content deduced by GPR and other techniques were identified. Antenna frequency of 100 MHz and the common offset acquisition technique predominated in the database. Most of GPR case studies were in 30-50(omicron) N temperate latitudes, mainly in Europe and North America. Eight original radargrams were selected from several GPR profiles performed in 2014 and 2015 to document database classes and identified gaps, as well as to define experimental ranges of operability in GDE environments. The results contribute to the design of proper GPR surveys in GDE research.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 18