Observing Sedimentary Deposition in an Artificial Lake using 3D Ground-penetrating Radar

In February and 2010 and February 2012, we have collected 3D ground-pentrating radar (GPR) data across the lake of the artificial water catchment Hühnerwasser (“chicken creek”) situated in the post-mining landscape of the opencast mine Welzow-Süd (Germany). This study shows, that the GPR technique can provide information relevant for analyzing fluvial erosion processes within the artificial catchment. We employed a conventional GPR surveying approach based on cart-mounted100 MHz antennae and a combination of the GPR instrument with a self-tracking total station on the frozen lake. Clear reflection from the lake bottom in the entire processed data cube are visible. Furthermore, deeper reflections can be recognized. These are interpreted to represent sedimentary structures associated with fluvial sedimentary input into the lake. In addition to detailed 3D images, our GPR data allow to quantify the amount of sedimented material. I am a PhD student and I would like to be considered for the AGAP-Quality Award.