Identifying Soil Patterns at Different Spatial Scales with a Multi‐Receiver EMI Sensor. Issue 2 (8th February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saey, Timothy; De Smedt, Philippe; De Clercq, Wim; Meerschman, Eef; Monirul Islam, Mohammad; Van Meirvenne, Marc
• Is Part Of: Soil Science Society of America Journal. Volume 77:Issue 2(2013)
• Page Start: 382
• Page End: 390
• Publication Date: 2013-02-08
• Subjects: Soils -- United States -- Periodicals; Soil science -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 631.4973
• DOI: 10.2136/sssaj2012.0276
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0361-5995

Abstract

Abstract : Multi‐receiver electromagnetic induction (EMI) sensors are increasingly being used to map soil spatial variability by measuring the apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) of multiple soil volumes. We present a procedure to process such measurements to identify both large‐scale soil variability patterns and small‐scale features such as archaeological traces. A 2.6‐ha arable field in Belgium was selected since aerial surveys indicated the presence of fine archaeological traces being masked partly by what appeared to be a trend in the soil composition. A survey with a DUALEM‐21S EMI sensor provided four co‐located ECa measurements of varying soil volumes, which were combined in a two‐step inversion procedure. Our procedure enhanced the distinction between the archaeological traces and probable ice‐wedge casts, with a small lateral and vertical extent, and the large‐scale trend of natural soil variability, identified as the varying depth to the interface between two contrasting soil layers.