A methodological contribution to use of Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) as a tool for monitoring contamination of urban soils with road salt

摘要

The use of Ground-Penetrating Radar as a tool for monitoring urban soils contaminated with road salt was tested. Data obtained from GPR measurements were compared with the results of laboratory analyses of soil samples collected during selected measurements and evaluated in relation to weather (esp. temperature and precipitation sums) prevailing prior to the individual measurements. It was proved that GPR technology can be used to indicate presence of road salt in soil to a certain extent. However, the radar also reacted sensitively to other irregularities within soil horizons such as type of soil freezing and thawing, changes in soil moisture content and probably also varying activity of soil biota. Further research is necessary to screen out these influences in order to improve practical applicability of this technology in research of soil salinity in urban environment.