The passive infrared (IR) imaging signature of buried mines under three different soil surface conditions is investigated in this work. The three-dimensional (3-D) nature of the mine, the site, and the temporal attributes of surrounding climate and exposed radiation are accounted for large and moderate-scale clutter surfaces as well as a smooth surface. The effect of the shortand long-wavelengt...

Since WWII acoustic echo-location method utilized in sonars has been one of the primary approaches for detecting underwater mines. However, earlier attempts to replicate sonar approach and its modifications for detection of landmines were not successful. For example, Caulfield, 1989, House & Pape, 1994, Don & Rogers, 1994 suggested the use of acoustic impulse reflection from soil. A buried obje...

The objectives of this paper were to determine the response of soil quality indicators and organic carbon (OC) distributions within different aggregate classes to changes in land use from desert soils to cropland occurring in the Abarkooh plain, Central Iran. Composite soil samples of the desert soil, wheat and alfalfa fields were taken from three different depths and soil quality indicators, i...

The isotopic signature of oxygen in phosphate (δ(18)O(P)) of various soil fractions may shed light on P transformations, including phosphorus (P) recycling by soil microorganisms, uptake by plants and P adsorption, precipitation and release by oxides and minerals, thus increasing our understanding on P cycling and lability in soils. We developed and tested a protocol to extract and purify inorg...

Phytotechnologies are rapidly replacing conventional ex-situ remediation techniques as they have the added benefit of restoring aesthetic value, important in the reclamation of mine sites. Alders are pioneer species that can tolerate and proliferate in nutrient-poor, contaminated environments, largely due to symbiotic root associations with the N2-fixing bacteria, Frankia and ectomycorrhizal (E...