Spatial variability of dielectric properties in field soils

Most mine detection sensors are affected by soil properties such as water content, temperature, electrical conductivity, and dielectric constant. The most important of these is water content since it directly influences the three other properties. The variability of these properties may be such that either potential landmine signatures are overshadowed or false alarms result. In this paper we present the results of field measurements in the Netherlands, Panama, and New Mexico on spatial variability of soil water content. We also discuss how the variability of soil water content affects the soils electrical conductivity and dielectric constant and the resulting response of a ground penetrating radar system.