Non-linear inversion of controlled source multi-receiver electromagnetic induction data for unexploded ordnance using a continuation method

This work adopts a continuation approach, based on path tracking in model space, to solve the non-linear least-squares problem for discrimination of unexploded ordnance (UXO) using multi-receiver electromagnetic induction (EMI) data. The forward model corresponds to a stretched-exponential decay of eddy currents induced in a magnetic spheroid. We formulate an over-determined, or under-parameterized, inverse problem. An example using synthetic multi-receiver EMI responses illustrates the efficiency of the method. The fast inversion of actual field multi-receiver EMI responses of inert, buried ordnances is also shown. Software based on the continuation method could be installed within a multi-receiver EMI sensor and used for near-real-time UXO decision-making purposes without the need for a highly-trained operator.     

Independent component analysis for UXO detection in highly cluttered environments

Statistical signal processing techniques have shown progress in discriminating UXO from clutter when the objects occur in isolation. Under this condition, only a single object contributes to the measured sensor data. For multiple closely spaced subsurface objects, however, the unprocessed sensor measurement is a mixture of the responses from several objects. Consequently, the unprocessed measurements cannot be used directly to discriminate UXO from clutter. In this paper, we implement independent component analysis (ICA), a well-established blind source separation (BSS) technique, to recover the unobserved object signatures from the mixed measurement data obtained by simulating electromagnetic induction (EMI) sensor data, and then use the recovered signatures for UXO/clutter discrimination. Discrimination performance depends on multiple factors, including the number of clutter objects in proximity to the UXO, the separation distance between the UXO and clutter, and the number of mixed measurements available. Simulation results are presented illustrating the impact of these factors on discrimination performance.     

Magnetic mapping for the detection and characterization of UXO: Use of multi-sensor fluxgate 3-axis magnetometers and methods of interpretation

Fluxgate vector magnetometers can be powerful instruments in magnetic mapping and in the detection of unexploded ordnance (UXO). Being lightweight and having low power requirements, they allow the development of multi-sensor use. The main problems in using fluxgate magnetometers arise from calibration errors and drift but these can be overcome using a quick and simple method of calibration in the field. This method also has the advantage of compensating permanent and induced magnetic fields generated by magnetized objects carried with the sensors. Measurement accuracy is similar to that obtained with scalar magnetometers. Multi-magnetometer profiling allows direct inversion of raw magnetic data along profiles in order to locate and characterize dipoles typically generated by UXO. The method used is a non-linear inverse procedure that estimates the three coordinates and magnetization vector of the dipole. Application of the technique to both a synthetic case and a field example illustrates the advantages of the method compared with the use of the analytic signal.     

Open source magnetic inversion programming framework and its practical applications

An Open Source C++ inversion framework for magnetic interpretation, including UXO applications, has been developed. The point dipole model is used to approximate a small magnetic object. However, alternative object models can be easily accommodated. Input data can be presented in a variety of formats and physical units including, but not limited to, profiles of the total magnetic field, uniform data grids, random data points, magnetic gradients, and finite magnetic difference measurements. Well-established external numerical optimization software modules such as the SLATEC (Common Mathematical Library, Los Alamos National Laboratory) package are used to solve numerical problems. Other software modules can easily be incorporated as they become available. Some practical examples of the application of the framework using total field data and vertical total field gradient data from a UXO test range are presented. We have decided to “open-source” the toolkit. It can be downloaded without charge under GNU Public License via anonymous FTP from ftp://geom.geometrics.com/pub/mag/Software/magtoolkit-1.0.zip.     

Coaxial coil towed EMI sensor array for UXO detection and characterization

A new broadband electromagnetic induction (EMI) array sensor, GEM-5, for detecting and characterizing Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) has been developed in order to provide high production rates for EMI surveys. The sensor consists of a single rectangular loop transmitter around a linear array of seven pairs of coaxial receiver coils, with each coil in a pair located at the same vertical distance above and below the loop transmitter. The coil pairs are wired in an inverted series so that the signal consists of the difference between the voltage induced in the upper and lower coils. This particular configuration provides a high degree of primary field cancellation, dense spatial sampling rate due to simultaneous and continuous operation of all sensors, suppression of motion-induced and environmental noise, and strong source fields at typical UXO burial depths providing deep detection range. Our prototype tests indicate that the array yields a lower static and motion-induced noise over the critical low frequencies than that of existing sensors, and in particular, the signal-to-noise ratio at 90 Hz is 32 dB higher. Environmental noise can be largely removed from the difference measurements. The field test results from UXO test sites show that the prototype sensor has smoother background and appears to detect more seeded targets than the GEM-3 concentric sensor, however some of that gain can be attributed to higher power transmitter electronics.     

Application of a library based method to time domain electromagnetic data for the identification of unexploded ordnance

A simple library based algorithm for the identification of unexploded ordnance is tested on time domain electromagnetic data. A library of polarization tensors is generated from data acquired on a test stand over a collection of different UXO. The objective of the algorithm is to determine which target of the library is most likely to have produced an observed data anomaly. For each target in our library a non-linear inverse problem is solved for the position and orientation that minimizes the least-squares difference between the observed data anomaly and the data predicted from each target. This technique avoids direct inversion for polarization tensor, making it feasible for cases where sensor data quality may not be sufficient to support confident estimation of model parameters. For cases where the background soil response is significant, we also invert for the t⁻¹ decay characteristic of viscous remnant magnetic soil. We present results of preliminary tests of the library technique to Geonics EM63 time domain electromagnetic data collected on a test plot seeded with UXO. These tests demonstrate an excellent ability to accurately identify isolated targets. Misidentification of single targets occur when data anomalies have low signal to noise ratios or when targets within the library have similar polarization tensors.     

Fast approximate EM induction modeling of metallic and UXO targets using a permeable prism

The time-domain EM induction response of non-magnetic and magnetic targets can be approximated using a conductive permeable prism composed of six faces of conductive plates, each face being composed of a set of conductive ribbons. The effect of magnetic permeability is included by the use of two “apparent flux gathering” coefficients, and two “effective magnetic permeability” coefficients, in the axial and transverse directions. These four magnetic property coefficients are a function of physical properties and geometry of the target, but are independent of prism orientation relative to a transmitter. The approximation algorithm is computationally fast, allowing inversions for target parameters to be achieved in seconds. The model is tested on profiles acquired with a Geonics EM63 time-domain EM metal detector over a non-magnetic copper pipe target, and a steel artillery shell in horizontal and vertical orientations. Results show that this approximation to a permeable prism has a capability of fitting geometric, conductivity and magnetic parameters at both early and late sample times. The magnetic parameters show strong change from early to late times on the EMI decay curve, indicating that the magnetic properties of the target have non-linear characteristics. It is proposed that these magnetic parameters and the nature of their non-linearity may carry additional discrimination information for distinguishing between intact munitions and scrap in UXO studies.     

Unexploded ordnance discrimination using time-domain electromagnetic induction and self-organizing maps

Self-organizing maps (SOM) are implemented for discrimination of geologic noise, buried metal objects and unexploded ordnance using the geophysical method of time-domain electromagnetic induction. The learning and misfit measures are based on a Euclidean metric. The U*-matrix method is shown to be a reliable tool for determining data clusters and cluster boundaries. The performance of SOM for data-type discrimination was tested using three synthetic, idealized geophysical datasets consisting of exponential, multi-exponential and stretched-exponential decaying transients. In addition, experimental data were acquired using a modified Geonics EM63 instrument. Results from the synthetic examples show that SOM clusters the data based on their functional origin, when represented using U*-matrices. The percentage of correct classification is 100%. Unsupervised learning using the field dataset obtained with the Geonics EM63 succeeded in producing a multi-clustered map in which the background transients cluster themselves and are separated from clusters associated with metal clutter objects and UXO. Even though in some cases the SOM did not produce a single cluster for each type of causative body, it was able to separate clutter data from target data by producing several small clusters. The results are encouraging in view of the heterogeneity and sparsity of the training dataset.     

岩石破裂过程中的超低频电磁异常

震前电磁场和大地自电位的异常是重要的地震前兆现象．在零磁空间对超低频段的磁场和自电位的变化进行了岩石破裂的实验研究,细致地揭示出电场、磁场出现异常变化的全过程,对深入认识超低频电磁信号的微观机理具有重要的意义．实验发现,岩石受力后应变、电位和磁场的缓慢变化在空间分布上是首先在近破裂源处出现,继而随裂纹的发展而改变位置;在时间序列上先出现自电位异常,然后是超低频磁场的变化;在异常形态上,超低频电磁信号呈现出早期、中期、晚期3个阶段的明显差异．研究表明,岩石微破裂引起裂隙尖端处的电荷分离. 静电荷在局部区域的积累和运移,导致了自电位的脉冲状变化;而在主破裂阶段,积累电荷的急速运动形成瞬间电流,激发了脉冲式的磁场异常．本文详细介绍了这一综合实验的技术步骤和观测结果,并对地震电磁前兆的微观机理进行了探讨．     

ULF electric and magnetic anomalies accompanying the cracking of rock sample

The anomalies of electric-magnetic field and self-potential before earthquakes are important precursory phenom-ena.A simulating experiment study on the variations in ultra-low frequency(ULF)magnetic field and self-poten-tial during rock cracking was carried out in a magnetic field-free space.The results revealing in detail the whole process of the occurrences of electric and magnetic anomalises are significant for understanding the microscopic mechanism of ULF electric and magnetic signals.The experiment indicated that at the initial stage the slow changes in strain.self-potential and magnetic field with small amounts appeared firstly near the source of initial cracking,and then extended as the crack developed on.In the time domain,the self-potential anomaly emerged first and ULF magnetic field changes arose then.The shape of the ULF electric and magnetic anomaly varied ob-viously in early-,mid-and late-term of the test.The authors attributed the pulse-like changes of self-potential to the generationj and movement of the accumulated electric charges during the cracking caused by charge separation on the crack tips within the sample.While the magnetic pulses of shorter-period at the last stage of the test,may be induced by instantaneous electric current of the accumulated charege during the cracking acceleration.The technical method and the observational results of this experiment are given in detail and the microscopic mechanism of elec-tric and magnetic precursors before earthquake are discussd in the present paper as well.     

二次电流场多次叠加概率成像

基于地下电流场的积分公式,离散化的二次电流场被分解为电性不连续界面上的一系列点电荷电场的代数和.单位正点电荷电场被引入作为空间扫描函数（SDS）,积累电荷出现的概率（COP）函数定义为二次电流场与SDS的互相关.为对概率成像结果进行定量分析解释,提出了规范的积累电荷出现的概率（NCOP）函数.通过应用有限元算法对2D地电模型进行二次电流场合成,实现了二次电流场的多次叠加概率成像.结果表明对均匀半空间中赋存地质异常体的电性结构,概率成像方法对地下异常体的空间位置有较好的指示作用.     

利用DEMETER卫星数据分析强震前后的电离层异常

基于法国DEMETER卫星观测的离子温度(T_i)、 VLF电磁场单频点频谱数据探索了2008年5月12日汶川M_S8.0、 2010年1月12日海地M_S7.3和2010年2月27日智利M_S8.8等3次强震前后与地震有关的电离层异常现象. 结果发现, 汶川地震前3天(5月9日)震中北偏西方向离子温度明显升高, 震前4天(5月8日)VLF磁场低于200 Hz的频段范围频谱在震中2°以内有明显突升; 智利地震前9天(2月18日)震中北东方向离子温度有剧烈扰动, 震前4天(2月23日)VLF磁场100—160 Hz频段范围内出现突升; 海地地震震前没有观测到明显的异常现象, 但地震发生当天(震后约4—5小时)的T_i, 40—160 Hz频段电场频谱, 以及120—480 Hz磁场频谱均有明显突升, 应为地震发生后能量释放所引起. 分析认为, 不同地震由于发震机制等各种情况的不同, 其地震前后的表现也各不相同. 虽然目前没有直接的证据表明本文研究的异常变化是由地震的孕育和发生引起的, 但在数据处理中已尽可能排除了太阳、 地磁等因素的影响, 并且研究结果与前人的研究经验吻合, 因此本文发现的异常可能与地震发生的关系较大.      

Experiences with unexploded ordnance discrimination using magnetometry at a live-site in Montana

Advanced discrimination methods and careful optimization of operational procedures are critical for efficient remediation of unexploded ordnance (UXO) contaminated sites. In this paper, we report on our experiences with a 200 acre magnetic survey that was collected and processed under production survey conditions at Chevallier Ranch, Montana. All anomalies with fitted moments above 0.05 Am² were excavated. During the survey the magnetic remanence metric was predicted but not used to guide the discrimination. The retrospective analysis presented here reveals that discrimination using remanence would have significantly reduced the total number of anomalies (with good dipolar fits) that needed to be excavated, from 524 to 290 while still recovering all 69 UXO. The false alarm rate (FAR = number of non-UXOs excavated divided / number of UXO found) was reduced from 6.3 to 2.9. At a cut-off of 75% remanence, 77% of anomalies due to shrapnel and metallic debris and 64% of geological anomalies were rejected.Geological anomalies due to variations in magnetite concentration introduced a significant human-element into the interpretation process. Three different interpreters added a total of 305 additional anomalies that were not fit with a dipole model and which were later found to be non-UXO. Between 40 and 50% of anomalies picked by the two relatively inexperienced interpreters who analyzed the data turned out to be geology, as compared to 14% for an experienced interpreter. Critical analysis of results, operator training and feedback from the UXO technicians validating the anomaly are essential components towards improving the quality and consistency of the anomaly interpretations. This is consistent with the tenants of Total Quality Management (TQM). We compare the actual FAR that resulted during the survey when there was little feedback between UXO technician validation results, to a hypothetical result that could have been achieved had there been a constant feedback system in place at the onset of operations. Feedback would have significantly reduced the number of geological anomalies and decreased the FAR from 10.7 to 4.0.The hypothetical results presented here demonstrate the value of using TQM principles to guide the UXO remediation process. They further show that improvements in the efficiency and costs of UXO remediation require both technological advances and operational optimization of the technology when implemented in a production setting. Furthermore, by treating geophysical modeling and UXO validation as separate entities, both with respect to contracting and operational reporting, there is little incentive for the geophysicist to leave an anomaly off the dig-sheet. Only potential negative consequences will result if that anomaly is later found to be a UXO. An incentive based mechanism that rewards the geophysicist for reductions in follow-on costs would have a strong potential to reduce the number of unnecessary excavations, and hence reduce the total cost of the UXO remediation effort.     

基于奇异谱分析的重磁位场分离方法

奇异谱分析是一种近年兴起的时间序列分析方法,它利用降秩原理实现信号分离.该方法将数据空间投影到不同特征的子空间中,并用奇异值来表征这些子空间的性质,最后通过截取奇异值实现数据的重构.重磁位场分离可以看成一种多信号叠加的分离问题.不同特征的重磁异常具有不同特征的奇异谱,这是奇异谱分析用于解决位场分离问题的应用基础.本文通过建立理论模型,分析重磁异常的奇异谱特征,得出适用于重磁位场分离的最优参数选择方法,并与传统方法进行比较.对比发现,无论是横向叠加模型、垂向叠加模型还是斜向叠加模型,奇异谱分析都具有很好的分离效果.最后,将奇异谱分析用于鄂东南某矿区的重力资料处理中,实现弱异常的识别和分离.

     

音频大地电磁法强干扰压制试验研究

压制非相关噪声已经有多种比较成熟的技术方法,如多次叠加、远参考、Robust阻抗估计等,但这些方法对压制矿集区存在的强电磁噪声(通常属于相关噪声)基本没有效果.本文在前期提出的针对矿集区大地电磁强噪声压制的数学形态滤波基础上,开展了音频大地电磁法强干扰压制的试验研究.在四川西昌某AMT测点附近,布置了大功率电磁发送站,通过接地导线向地下供20A的方波电流,同时在供电期和间歇期用凤凰公司MTU-5A仪器观测4个水平分量的电磁场.在室内采用数学形态滤波和阈值法相结合的手段在时间域对含有人工源强干扰的电磁场数据进行处理,以视电阻率对比、频谱和极化方向等参数对处理效果进行评价.结果表明:结构元素恰当的数学形态滤波可以对人工源强干扰进行识别、去除,阈值法则可以消除形态滤波后的脉冲干扰,二者结合可以有效地压制AMT中的强干扰噪声,提高数据可靠性.本文结果对AMT实际资料处理具有重要的实用和参考价值.     

基于模型空间压缩的大地电磁三维反演研究

本文提出了一种基于模型空间压缩技术的大地电磁三维反演方法.该方法在传统大地电磁三维反演理论的基础上,通过小波变换将待反演的空间域模型参数映射到小波域进行反演,获得小波域更新模型后再通过小波逆变换得到空间域反演模型.由于小波变换具有压缩特性和多尺度分辨能力,本文反演方法可在一定程度上提高反演分辨率.为了提高反演效率,我们针对基于L1范数的模型约束求解不易收敛的反演问题,提出了一种基于模型粗糙度的简单有效的预条件处理技术.为验证本文算法的有效性,本文首先对经典的"棋盘"模型进行三维反演测试.反演结果表明本文算法的反演效率与传统方法相当,但对于深部异常体具有更好的分辨能力.最后,我们通过对实测数据反演进一步验证本文算法的有效性.     

地球物理探测卫星数据分析处理技术与地震预测应用研究项目及研究进展

地震监测预警和预测预报是当前地球科学及相关学科所面临的最艰巨的问题之一,是关系到人类社会安全与国计民生的亟待攻克的科学难题.为进一步提高地震预测科学研究水平,推进地震监测预测能力建设,我国于世纪之交提出了建立地震立体观测体系的战略发展思路,并希望突破三维地球物理场获取能力瓶颈,发展地球多圈层耦合模型,通过卫星观测获取全...     

(T2,D)二维核磁共振测井混合反演方法与参数影响分析

一维核磁共振(1D NMR)测井技术在流体识别中具有一定的局限性.二维核磁共振(2D NMR)测井能同时测量到多孔介质中横向弛豫时间(T₂)和扩散系数(D)等信息,利用这两个参数区分流体性质,较一维核磁共振测井技术具有明显的优越性.针对梯度场下的2D NMR测井弛豫机理和数学模型,提出了适用于求解大型稀疏矩阵方程的反演方法-基于非负最小二乘法(LSQR)和截断奇异值分解(TSVD)法的混合算法.为验证方法的有效性,先根据多回波观测模式合成回波串数据,然后再用混合反演算法进行反演,反演得到横向弛豫时间(T₂)和扩散系数(D),并构建T₂-D二维谱图.结果对比表明,该混合反演算法得到的T₂-D二维谱与流体模型一致性好,计算精度均比单一反演方法有较大改善,表明该混合反演方法可用于油气储集层2D NMR测井的反演和流体识别.此外,分别对油水同层和气水同层模型进行了正演模拟和反演实验, 系统考察了不同磁场梯度、不同回波间隔组合对反演效果的影响,为2D NMR参数设计提供依据.     

Pitfalls of 1D inversion of small-loop electromagnetic data for detecting man-made objects

In order to interpret field data from small-loop electromagnetic (EM) instruments with fixed source–receiver separation, 1D inversion method is commonly used due to its efficiency with regard to computation costs. This application of 1D inversion is based on the assumption that small-offset broadband EM signals are insensitive to lateral resistivity variation. However, this assumption can be false when isolated conductive bodies such as man-made objects are embedded in the earth. Thus, we need to clarify the applicability of the 1D inversion method for small-loop EM data. In order to systematically analyze this conventional inversion approach, we developed a 2D EM inversion algorithm and verified this algorithm with a synthetic EM data set. 1D and 2D inversions were applied to synthetic and field EM data sets. The comparison of these inversion results shows that the resistivity distribution of the subsurface constructed by the 1D inversion approach can be distorted when the earth contains man-made objects, because they induce drastic variation of the resistivity distribution. By analyzing the integrated sensitivity of the small-loop EM method, we found that this pitfall of 1D inversion may be caused by the considerable sensitivity of the small-loop EM responses to lateral resistivity variation. However, the application of our 2D inversion algorithm to synthetic and field EM data sets demonstrate that the pitfall of 1D inversion due to man-made objects can be successfully alleviated. Thus, 2D EM inversion is strongly recommended for detecting conductive isolated bodies, such as man-made objects, whereas this approach may not always be essential for interpreting the EM field data.     

Location and depth estimation of point-dipole and line of dipoles using analytic signals of the magnetic gradient tensor and magnitude of vector components

The magnetic gradient tensor (MGT) provides gradient components of potential fields with mathematical properties which allow processing techniques e.g. analytic signal techniques. With MGT emerging as a new tool for geophysical exploration, the mathematical modelling of gradient tensor fields is necessary for interpretation of magnetic field measurements. The point-dipole and line of dipoles are used to approximate various magnetic objects. I investigate the maxima of the magnitude of magnetic vector components (MMVC) and analytic signals of magnetic gradient tensor (ASMGT) resulting from point-dipole and line of dipoles sources in determining horizontal locations. I also present a method in which depths of these sources are estimated from the ratio of the maximum of MMVC to the maximum of ASMGT. Theoretical examples have been carried out to test the feasibility of the method in obtaining source locations and depths. The method has been applied to the MMVC and ASMGT computed from the total field data over a basic/ultrabasic body at the emerald deposit of Socoto´, Bahia, Brazil and buried water supply pipe near Jadaguda Township, India. In both field examples, the method produces good correlations with previous interpretations.