Detection and Delineating of Hydrocarbon Contaminants by Using Time and Frequency Analysis of Ground Penetrating Radar ()
ABSTRACT
This paper provides the results of using ground penetrating radar (GPR)
method to detect hydrocarbon products (diesel and gasoline) in a controlled lab
test. The work addresses the environmental problem generated by the
uncontrolled leakage of hydrocarbon products and the subsequent contamination of plumes in the subsoil.
Most of the research proposes the
geophysical techniques to evaluate the plumes but some controversial were
discussed on how it affected the electrical and dielectric response depending on the excitation of
the non-invasive method. The present work focuses on a comparative analysis of some signal attributes of
the GPR traces to determine under what premises the detection is properly done.
These signal attributes were from the time and frequency domain as attenuation
coefficient, instantaneous amplitude and frequency have been considered to
analyze three different soil samples. The laboratory tests consist of buried
liquid (total hydrocarbon of petroleum, so called TPH) bags in the soil sample boxes reveal the range of target
detection and consistency of data on the controlled test regarding the dielectric soil
characterization and the delimiting position and depth. Instantaneous amplitude
and time-frequency shift are revealed as promising signal attributes to accurate detection of the TPH
presence. Numerical simulation data were also carried out to interpret the
signal reflections on radargrams and to confirm experimental trends and the
benefits of using the above signal attributes in time-frequency domain.
Share and Cite:
Fuente, J. (2021) Detection and Delineating of Hydrocarbon Contaminants by Using Time and Frequency Analysis of Ground Penetrating Radar.
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
9, 35-56. doi:
10.4236/gep.2021.912003.