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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 47(6)

A procedure for mapping the depth to the texture contrast horizon of duplex soils in south-western Australia using ground penetrating radar, GPS and kriging

M. A. Simeoni A D , P. D. Galloway B , A. J. O’Neil C and R. J. Gilkes A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Earth and Environment, The University of Western Australia, WA, Australia.

B Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia, Esperance, WA, Australia.

C DownUnder GeoSolutions, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: simeoni@cyllene.uwa.edu.au

Australian Journal of Soil Research 47(6) 613-621 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR08241
Submitted: 27 October 2008  Accepted: 6 May 2009   Published: 30 September 2009

Abstract

A procedure for the rapid and accurate mapping of the depth to the texture contrast horizon of duplex soils was trialled. Data were collected using ground-penetrating radar with a 250 MHz antenna at 4 sites in the Esperance region of Western Australia. The contrast at the B horizon was identified using a ‘picking’ process similar to seismic surveys. The GPS data were integrated and depth to B horizon maps produced by kriging. The results were related to core data taken for sites and showed that GPR can provide accurate and detailed subsurface maps with ±0.1 m accuracy for B horizon depth. The influence of B horizon material composition on GPR response was also investigated using amplitude mapping. The spacing between GPR transects can affect map quality, particularly if the lateral variation in the B horizon depth is not adequately sampled by the line spacing selected. With further integration of the data collection and post-processing procedures, this would prove to be a useful tool for farmers and natural resource managers.

Additional keywords: ground penetrating radar, duplex B, clay, mapping.


Acknowledgments

This work was funded by the Grains Research and Development Council of Australia and by South Coast Natural Resource Management Inc., with funding provided by the Australian and Western Australian Governments through the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality and the Natural Heritage Trust II. The authors wish to acknowledge the technical assistance of Miss Kelly Kong from DAFWA, Esperance, and the farmers who kindly allowed us to conduct research on their properties, Mr and Mrs Agnew and the Stead family.


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