Improving Detection and Discrimination of UXO in Magnetic Environments

MR-1414

Objective

Detection and discrimination of unexploded ordnance (UXO) can be seriously hindered by the presence of magnetic rocks and soils. In regions of highly magnetic soil, magnetic and electromagnetic (EM) sensors often detect large anomalies that are of geologic, rather than metallic, origin. Under SERDP exploratory development (SEED) project MR-1285, the research team used numerical simulations to examine the effect of magnetic soil on the static magnetic method and time-domain EM method in UXO discrimination problems. The team assessed the level of soil response that severely affected the reliability of current discrimination algorithms based on geophysical inversion. It was clear from this research that the successes of these, and other, data processing algorithms require an understanding of the spatial characteristics of the susceptibility and the dependence of susceptibility on frequency.

This project focused on practical questions regarding the physical understanding of magnetic soils, how to generate useful site characterizations of magnetic properties, and how to use information from the site characterization to process magnetic and EM data. Specific technical objectives include: (1) understand the geologic origins and physics of soil magnetization, (2) develop protocols and practical procedures for characterizing site magnetization, (3) develop methods and procedures for removing the effects of soil responses from magnetic measurements, and (4) develop methods and procedures for preprocessing EM data.

Back to Top

Technical Approach

In this project, the research was guided by practical questions that arise from four sites with different magnetic soil properties. The spatial distribution and frequency dependence of susceptibility were studied and its effects on different sensor modalities quantified. The geological factors governing the spatial and grain size distribution of magnetic iron oxides, and hence their susceptibility, also were studied. New filtering techniques that incorporate geostatistical information and a physical understanding of the phenomenon of complex magnetic susceptibility were developed.

Back to Top

Results

Through fundamental knowledge of the spatial distribution and frequency dependence of susceptibility and its effects on different sensor modalities, new filtering techniques have been developed that incorporate geostatistical information and a physical understanding of complex magnetic susceptibility. These approaches identify and remove the effects of magnetic soil from geophysical data in UXO clearance.

Back to Top

Benefits

This project addressed one of the Department of Defense’s most pressing environmental problems; that is, the efficient and reliable identification of UXO, particularly in magnetic environments, without the need to excavate large numbers of non-UXO at high costs.

Back to Top

Project Documents

Points of Contact

Principal Investigator

Dr. Yaoguo Li

Colorado School of Mines

Phone: 303-273-3510

Fax: 303-273-3478

Program Manager

Munitions Response

SERDP and ESTCP

Project Documents

Document Types

  • Fact Sheet - Brief project summary with links to related documents and points of contact.
  • Final Report - Comprehensive report for every completed SERDP and ESTCP project that contains all technical results.
  • Cost & Performance Report - Overview of ESTCP demonstration activities, results, and conclusions, standardized to facilitate implementation decisions.
  • Technical Report - Additional interim reports, laboratory reports, demonstration reports, and technology survey reports.
  • Guidance - Instructional information on technical topics such as protocols and user’s guides.
  • Workshop Report - Summary of workshop discussion and findings.
  • Multimedia - On demand videos, animations, and webcasts highlighting featured initiatives or technologies.
  • Model/Software - Computer programs and applications available for download.
  • Database - Digitally organized collection of data available to search and access.