Master Project proposal
Project Details
Title
GPR for time lapse soil moisture measurements
Institution / Company
Deltares
Location
Utrecht
Principle Supervisor
Local Supervisor in
Victor Hopman
Company
Supervising University
Short Description
The signal of ground penetrating radar (GPR) is influenced by soil moisture or water content, among
other factors. In soil science, hydrology and agricultural sciences, water content has an important role
for groundwater recharge, agriculture, and soil chemistry. Many recent scientific research efforts have
aimed toward a predictive-understanding of water content over space and time.
Soil moisture can be measured by probes, creating a depth profile on one location. Since the
subsurface is generally heterogeneous, higher spatial coverage, i.e. on a line, or 3D is necessary. To
better understand the processes that govern the soil moisture content, information over time is
recommended. GPR could provide such information, to be measured in a simple way. The project
consists of performing various monitoring rounds of GPR measurements to infer the variability of the
soil moisture signal over time.
Steps in the project:

Theoretical background of soil moisture content and GPR.

Design of monitoring plan

Several rounds of field measurements with soil moisture probes and GPR.

Processing, interpretation and reporting of results.
Skill Profile
0
1
2
3
4
5
comments
Programming
Fieldwork
Laboratory work
Theory
Processing
Interpretation
Geology
comments
Opportunities provided
Approved Further Education / Training
No
Training with particular software
No
Working on the job with
Matlab
Training with particular hardware
Yes
Fieldwork equipment (available
at Deltares)
Temporary relocation at a research partner
Yes
Temporary relocation for fieldwork
No
Coverage of costs
Yes
relocation/accommodation/expenses
Local assistance provided
At Deltares, Utrecht
Standard Deltares internship
allowance
Yes
Possibly financial support for
housing for students from
abroad
Publication possible
Yes