Application of Ground Penetrating RADAR for Profiling and Bathymetric Survey of Shallow Frozen Lakes

摘要

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) was used to survey the bathymetry and sub-bottom features of a frozen lake in Ontario, Canada. A 50 MHz GPR measured the lake depth to a maximum of 24 meters. Sub-bottom features and sediment thickness were simultaneously observed and recorded with the GPR. Single beam sonar hydrographic surveying methods were applied to the data acquisition process and quality control procedures. Quality control checks revealed a vertical accuracy of approximately 0.25 meters while the horizontal positional accuracy was approximately 0.1 meters through the use of Real-time Kinematic (RTK) GPS. A contoured bathymetric map was generated from the data set as well as an isopach of sediment thickness. GPR is demonstrated to be effective for measuring water depth, ice thickness, and sub-bottom features of ice covered lakes.