Subsurface structures detection by combining L-band polarimetric SAR and GPR data: example of the Pyla Dune (France)

In this paper, we investigate the penetration capabilities of microwaves, particularly at L-band, for the mapping of subsurface heterogeneities such as lithology variations, moisture or sedimentary structures. The experiment site, the Pyla Dune, is a bare sandy area allowing high signal penetration and presenting large subsurface structures (paleosoils) at varying depths. Several radar data sets over this area are available. A polarimetric analysis of airborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data as well as the ground penetrating radar (GPR) sounding experiment show that subsurface scattering occurs at several places. The SAR penetration depth is estimated by inverting a scattering model for which the subsurface structure geometric and dielectric properties are determined by the GPR data analysis. These results suggest that airborne radar systems in a lower frequency range (P-band) should be able to detect subsurface moisture down to several meters, leading to innovative Earth observation systems for hydrogeology in arid regions.