Application of ground penetrating radar in karst environments: An overview

Abstract

Karst as an extremely complex and heterogeneous system, that presents a great challenge for the ground penetrating radar (GPR). However, properly planed GPR surveys can provide additional information about the shallow subsurface, where most karst processes take place. Due to the specific nature of the karst terrain, the introductory part presents some obstacles and adaptive approaches to karst research. An analysis of the published literature revealed that the GPR is most commonly used for detecting caves and subsidence areas and for preventing collapses in urban areas and for construction interventions. This is followed by exploration of karst aquifers, epikarst and quarry research. Some non-established applications are also presented, such as the use of a georadar in exploration of unroofed caves and cave sediments. The main purpose of this article is to demonstrate and evaluate the possibilities of using a georadar in different karst environments, to encourage its use in some new applications, and to emphasize the necessity of an interdisciplinary approach in such studies.