Analysis of the possibility of identifying the rheological structure of soil by the Ground Penetrating Radar and EM conductivity methods

In this study, we attempt to evaluate the rheological properties of soil via its degree of compaction using integrated geophysical methods. The results may be useful for the characterization of soil particularly when its optimum utilizations are inclined towards agriculture. This is so vital because soil compaction results into its degradation and hence plants which depend solely on it for existence are affected. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Ground Conductivity Meter (GCM) methods of geophysical measurements are considered for this evaluation. The choice of GPR is informed by its non-invasiveness, simplicity and swiftness while the GCM was chosen as complimentary to the former. The method of estimating soil properties based on GPR data consists in searching for signal attributes, such as the amplitude of reflected radar waves, phase or envelope, which provide information on the continuity and/or discontinuity of reflections in the examined layer, geometries of spatial soil structures and their characteristics. Field measurements were carried out on a student’s pilot field of WIPiE University of Agriculture, Krakow in three variants of soil compaction with tractor wheels. It should be emphasized that the compaction was carried out separately for each series of measurements. GCM and cone penetrating meter were also used for measurement at the same profile. Results of the three approaches of measurement have shown the possibility of identifying the zones of compaction and hence the degradation to the soil. The other methods results also show similarity in the delineation of the compacted zones. The comparison of methods used gave satisfactory correlations. Thus characterization of soil using these approaches is possible and the outcome information is very useful for professional such as soil scientist.