Effects Of Soil Properties, Emplacement Depth, And Object Composition On Thermal Signature

Two studies were conducted at 43 degrees 43' 24 '' N, 72 degrees 16' 24 '' W during which the thermal signature of an area containing buried objects was observed. The two periods were from September - November 2016 and May - December 2018. In the first phase, the soil was left in its natural state while in the second, it was removed to a depth of 65 cm, homogenized, then replaced. In both instances, the physical properties of the soil were fully characterized, the meteorological forcing recorded, and subsurface moisture and temperature states measured. In phase one four objects, two round and two rectangular, were buried so that their tops were at a depth of 5 cm. In the second experiment four rectangular objects were emplaced at depths of 5 and 25 cm. In both phases two of the objects were metal and two plastic. Differences in thermal signatures of the buried objects will be discussed as they relate to emplacement depth, soil properties, and object composition.