Geophysical System Verification: A Physics-Based Alternative to Geophysical Prove-Outs
Abstract
The evaluation and cleanup of current and former military sites contaminated with buried munitions relies on two well-understood geophysical technologies to detect the munitions: magnetometry and electromagnetic (EM) induction. As these technologies were introduced in munitions response projects, the Geophysical Prove Out (GPO) was developed to determine whether the geophysical data collected would meet project objectives. Over the last 15 years, numerous GPOs have been performed on a variety of site conditions, and a significant body of knowledge has accumulated documenting the performance of these technologies. This accumulated understanding, along with the recognition that magnetic and EM responses of munitions may be predicted reliably using physical models, presents the opportunity for both streamlining and enhancing the GPO with a more rigorous physics-based approach. A Geophysical System Verification (GSV) process is envisioned in which the resources traditionally devoted to a GPO are reallocated to support simplified, but more rigorous, verification that a geophysical system is operating properly, as well as ongoing monitoring of production work.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA638074
Entities
People
- Herb Nelson
Organizations
- Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program