Environmental Geology
Mapping salt-source areas in the Murray-Darling Basin
Areas
of salt source materials, namely aeolian soils derived from a massive
ancient salt-lake, are modeled from a regional gamma-ray image mosaic.
Evidence for the validity of the model is found from salinity measured
in deep boreholes. Further supporting evidence is the close correlation
of salt-sources mapped by gamma-ray signatures and saline areas mapped
by local Airborne Electro-Magnetic (AEM) surveys.
Also: Bierwirth, P.N., and Brodie, R.S., 2008. Gamma-ray remote sensing of aeolian salt-sources in the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia. Remote Sensing of Environment. Vol 112/2 pp 550-559.
Bierwirth, P.N., 2008. Gamma-ray remote sensing of salt-source materials in the Murray-Darling Basin. 14th Australasian Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Conference, Darwin (Paper) (Presentation)
Detecting Acid-Sulfate Soils Hotspots
Acid
sulfate soils are a major environmental problem, being commonly found
in coastal areas, and when disturbed produce acid at toxic levels. This
chemical process produces a distinctive gamma-ray signature.
Captains Flat, N.S.W. acid mine drainage case-study
Airborne
hyperspectral HyMap data for the Captains Flat area was used in conjunction
with samples collected for laboratory analysis and ground spectral data
to produce maps of the environmental hazards. Spectral studies, XRD and
electron microprobe of mine drainage materials identified schwertmannite,
jarosite goethite, gypsum and black algae as the main components.
Read More: Bierwirth, P.N., (2005). Chapter 3: Captains Flat (NSW) - Acid Mine Drainage pollution. In: Methods of spectral geology utilizing airborne-hyperspectral and satellite remote sensing – applications for exploration and acid-mine drainage. PhD Thesis, Australian National University.