scholarly journals Trialing geophysical techniques in the identification of open Indigenous sites in Australia: A case study from inland northwest Queensland

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Moffat ◽  
Lynley Wallis ◽  
Alice Beale ◽  
Darren Kynuna
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Indigenous Australian ◽  
Open Site ◽  
Geophysical Techniques ◽  
Inland Northwest ◽  
Australian Archaeology ◽  
Positive Results ◽  
Reconnaissance Surveys

The use of geophysical techniques as an aid to archaeological investigations has become common-place, however these methods have only occasionally been applied in Indigenous Australian archaeology. This is despite recognition (and recommendations) since the 1970s that such approaches have the potential to yield positive results in such contexts (e.g. Connah et al. 1976; Stanley 1983; Stanley and Green 1976). Australian archaeologists have perhaps been reluctant to embrace these techniques because of their perceived high cost (both of equipment and specialist staff) and the subtle nature of subsurface Indigenous sites as geophysical targets. Nevertheless, there have been a number of recent applications of these techniques in Australia, particularly in relation to burial and hearth sites. We report the results of a pilot study conducted in northwest Queensland. This study aimed to test the applicability of geophysical methods being routinely employed to locate a variety of open site features (particularly hearths and middens) as part of reconnaissance surveys. While not being entirely successful, this study demonstrated that certain archaeological features can be readily identifi ed using geophysical techniques, though further research and trials should be carried out to refi ne the uses of these techniques to allow their more widespread applicability.

Combining an integrated geophysical survey into a landfill model: A case study from Emersons Green, UK

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cornelia M. Inauen ◽  
Abigail Brooks ◽  
David Caterina ◽  
Jonathan E. Chambers ◽  
Ben Dashwood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Layer Thickness ◽  
Model Building ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Ground Truth ◽  
Cover Layer ◽  
Targeted Sampling ◽  
Landfill Mining ◽  
Geophysical Techniques ◽  
Geophysical Measurements

<p>For a large number of landfills, basic knowledge about extent, waste composition or environmental impact is incomplete. Considering the large number of non-sanitary landfills located in semi-urban areas subject to increased land use pressure plus the high cost for remediation, it is crucial to develop efficient characterization tools suitable in landfill contexts. Such tools are required on a broader level to enable the identification of landfills with high priority for remediation or high potential in terms of waste valorisation (landfill mining) and, on a more detailed level, to enable planning of remediation or landfill mining projects.</p><p>Due to the high heterogeneity and complexity of landfills, the application of different geophysical methods in combination with targeted sampling has proven to be a highly favourable approach. In contrast to conventional ground truth methods, geophysical techniques provide the possibility to characterize large portions of the landfill volume in a non-invasive and relatively efficient way. Furthermore, the application of complementary geophysical techniques reduces the risk of misinterpretation, and by verifying/calibrating the results with targeted sampling a relatively detailed landfill model can be built. However, building a landfill model from data measured at different resolution, coverage and with different uncertainties is a challenge.</p><p>We present a case study from Emersons Green (UK) where we completed multiple geophysical surveys on a former landfill site prior to its full excavation. The excavation works provided nearly continuous information on the waste and cover layer thickness as well as information on material composition from several locations. This enabled us to validate the geophysical measurements and to test different approaches for model building, as well as testing virtual sampling strategies in order to assess how the number and location of ground truth samples affects the model quality.</p><p>The case study has highlighted the advantage of a multi-geophysical approach where Electromagnetics (EM) and Magnetics (Mag) were able to provide a rapid overview of the landfill structure and its lateral extent. In contrast, Induced Polarization Tomography (IPT) and Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) were most suitable to delineate the bottom interface of the waste layer. IPT was in addition able to delineate the cover layer thickness and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) seemed more sensitive to changes in moisture content. For the model building, a probabilistic approach has proven to be efficient. In terms of sampling strategy a minimum number of samples are required co-located with the geophysical measurements to train the probability model. Furthermore, additional sampling points at locations where geophysical methods are only sparsely available increase the model certainty.</p>

Finger Movement Discrimination in Focal Hand Dystonia: Case Study of a Cellist

2005 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-81
Author(s):  
Bronwen J Ackermann ◽  
Roger Adams
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Finger Movement ◽  
Focal Hand Dystonia ◽  
Hand Dystonia ◽  
Intensive Physiotherapy ◽  
Positive Results ◽  
Movement Discrimination

Focal hand dystonia in musicians has received increasing attention in recent years due to the debilitating and career-threatening nature of this condition. In cellists, focal hand dystonia is reported only infrequently in the existing literature, as compared to the rate in other instrumentalists, such as pianists and violinists. Although relatively less common, it has similarly devastating effects for those with this disorder. In the pilot study presented here, a 47-year-old male professional cellist experiencing left focal hand dystonia underwent pretests and posttests when he attended a 10-day period of intensive sensorimotor retraining. To monitor the effects of treatment, a pseudo-cello was designed that used the principles of psychophysical methodology to test active finger movement discrimination. This test was designed to evaluate whether this cellist could perceive the relative position of his left fingers in as task-specific a manner as possible. The pseudo-cello results showed a reduced ability to discriminate the height and tension of a string in the fingers most affected by the dystonia. Following the 10-day period of intensive physiotherapy, discrimination of finger movements had improved in the fingers that had been worked on with the rehabilitation program, and this corresponded with an improvement in the dystonia rating scale. The positive results obtained here suggest that this form of testing in focal hand dystonia warrants further research.

A LOOK INTO THE EARTH: EVALUATING THE USE OF MAGNETIC SURVEY IN AFRICAN ARCHAEOLOGY

2004 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Magnavita ◽  
Norbert Schleifer
Keyword(s):  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Magnetic Survey ◽  
The Past ◽  
Common Technique ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Prehistoric Settlements ◽  
Present Case Study

In the last decades, geophysical methods such as magnetic survey have become a common technique for prospecting archaeological sites. At sub-Saharan archaeological sites, however, magnetic survey and correlated techniques never came into broad use and there are no signs for an immediate change of this situation. This paper examines the magnetic survey undertaken on the Nigerian site of Zilum, a settlement of the Gajiganna Culture (ca 1800-400 BC) located in the Chad Basin and dated to ca 600-400 BC. By means of the present case study, we demonstrate the significance of this particular type of investigation in yielding complementary data for understanding the character of prehistoric settlements. In conclusion, we point out that geophysical methods should play a more important role in modern archaeological field research, as they furnish a class of documentation not achievable by traditional survey and excavation methods, thus creating new perspectives for interpreting the past of African societies.

A Case Study in Dissemination: Lessons Learned From a Pilot Study Involving the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service

2005 ◽  
Vol 10 (sup1) ◽  
pp. 219-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfred C. Marcus ◽  
Jerianne Heimendinger ◽  
Ellen Berman ◽  
Victor Strecher ◽  
Mary Anne Bright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Information Service ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Cancer Information ◽  
Cancer Information Service

Application of geophysical methods for the investigation of the large gravitational mass movement of Séchilienne, France

2005 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 1105-1115 ◽  
Author(s):  
O Meric ◽  
S Garambois ◽  
D Jongmans ◽  
M Wathelet ◽  
J L Chatelain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rock Mass ◽  
Mass Movement ◽  
Seismic Refraction ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Gravitational Mass ◽  
Electrical Tomography ◽  
Refraction Tomography ◽  
Geophysical Surveys ◽  
Geophysical Techniques

Several geophysical techniques (electromagnetic profiling, electrical tomography, seismic refraction tomography, and spontaneous potential and seismic noise measurement) were applied in the investigation of the large gravitational mass movement of Séchilienne. France. The aim of this study was to test the ability of these methods to characterize and delineate the rock mass affected by this complex movement in mica schists, whose lateral and vertical limits are still uncertain. A major observation of this study is that all the zones strongly deformed (previously and at present) by the movement are characterized by high electrical resistivity values (>3 kΩ·m), in contrast to the undisturbed mass, which exhibits resistivity values between a few hundred and 1 kΩ·m. As shown by the surface observations and the seismic results, this resistivity increase is due to a high degree of fracturing associated with the creation of air-filled voids inside the mass. Other geophysical techniques were tested along a horizontal transect through the movement, and an outstanding coherency appeared between the geophysical anomalies and the displacement rate curve. These preliminary results illustrate the benefits of combined geophysical techniques for characterizing the rock mass involved in the movement. Results also suggest that monitoring the evolution of the rock mass movement with time-lapse geophysical surveys could be beneficial.Key words: gravitational movement, geophysical methods, Séchilienne.

The use of geophysical prospecting for imaging active faults in the Roer Graben, Belgium

Geophysics ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donat Demanet ◽  
François Renardy ◽  
Kris Vanneste ◽  
Denis Jongmans ◽  
Thierry Camelbeeck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Fault Zone ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Depth Range ◽  
Electrical Tomography ◽  
Reflection Seismic ◽  
Refraction Seismic ◽  
Geophysical Surveys ◽  
Geophysical Techniques

As part of a paleoseismological investigation along the Bree fault scarp (western border of the Roer Graben), various geophysical methods [electrical profiling, electromagnetic (EM) profiling, refraction seismic tests, electrical tomography, ground‐penetrating radar (GPR), and high‐resolution reflection seismic profiles] were used to locate and image an active fault zone in a depth range between a few decimeters to a few tens of meters. These geophysical investigations, in parallel with geomorphological and geological analyses, helped in the decision to locate trench excavations exposing the fault surfaces. The results could then be checked with the observations in four trenches excavated across the scarp. Geophysical methods pointed out anomalies at all sites of the fault position. The contrast of physical properties (electrical resistivity and permittivity, seismic velocity) observed between the two fault blocks is a result of a differences in the lithology of the juxtaposed soil layers and of a change in the water table depth across the fault. Extremely fast techniques like electrical and EM profiling or seismic refraction profiles localized the fault position within an accuracy of a few meters. In a second step, more detailed methods (electrical tomography and GPR) more precisely imaged the fault zone and revealed some structures that were observed in the trenches. Finally, one high‐resolution reflection seismic profile imaged the displacement of the fault at depths as large as 120 m and filled the gap between classical seismic reflection profiles and the shallow geophysical techniques. Like all geophysical surveys, the quality of the data is strongly dependent on the geologic environment and on the contrast of the physical properties between the juxtaposed formations. The combined use of various geophysical techniques is thus recommended for fault mapping, particularly for a preliminary investigation when the geological context is poorly defined.

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