LAKE SEDIMENT THICKNESS ESTIMATION USING GROUND PENETRATING RADAR

Sinam Reema Chanu, R.K Chingkhei, Manichandra Sanoujam, Arun Kumar

Abstract: The objective of the study is to provide estimates of sediment thickness in Punem Lake, which is a shallow perennial lake in Manipur, India. Radar profiles are obtained in the lake with Mala GPR using 100 MHz RTA (Rough Terrain Antenna). The average depth of the lake is found to be around 2.2 m with the total sediment thickness ranging from 2.2 m to 3.8 m. For the present study two sediment layers are identified that can be easily differentiated from the GPR radargram and the thickness as well as the volume is calculated using ArcGIS. Minimum, maximum, and an average thickness of 0.02m, 1.16m and 0.50m respectively is observed in the first layer with the majority of the thickest sediment deposits towards the North, Northeast and Eastern side of the lake. In the second layer a minimum, maximum, and an average thickness of 0.08m, 0.99m and 0.37m respectively is observed with the majority of the thickest sediment deposits towards the North, Northeast and Western parts of the lake. Sediment volume of about 260303.33 cubic meters of deposit is estimated in the first layer of the lake bottom whereas that of the second layer is estimated to be about 188171.51 cubic meters only.

Keywords: Punem Lake, GPR, sediment thickness, sediment volume

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15623/ijret.2014.0309007