GEOPHYSICAL MAPPING AS APPLIED TO ORDNANCE DETECTION

Developing technologies in UXO (unexploded ordnance) investigations requiring mapping, are utilizing Differential Global Positioning Satellite (DGPS) techniques to improve the quality of data collection. Additional benefits include accurate geographic referencing and anomaly (target) re-acquisition during intrusive stages in the investigation. These techniques and software applications are easily transferable to the geological profession as a whole. Until recently, DGPS geographical referencing was typically merged with geophysical data during post processing allowing the user to view results without the capability to analyze the data with regard to Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Recent developments to improve UXO geophysical investigations include multiple sensor arrays connected to real-time kinetic (RTK) DGPS systems via a lap top computer. This method allows real-time data analysis that reduces and/or eliminates many post processing stages of data analysis. The data collected by the RTK/DGPS and multiple array system is simultaneously imported into a spatial data collection and management product designed specifically to work with relational databases to support GIS applications. Since the goal of most UXO investigations involving map generation is to apply GIS techniques in risk assessment scenarios, rapidly created and adaptable databases are highly desirable. The integration of system components in real-time mode not only saves time in the analysis of the data, but also reduces the cost of the investigation and GIS development/use.