A lot of people love to use drones nowadays. While initially used for photography, they are now used for various purposes. People attach different sensors and devices like GPR to study or check for:
- Environmental damage
- Presence of minerals
- Individuals stuck in serious situations, etc.
Continue reading to know more about it below.
What is Drone GPR?
It refers to using a radar by attaching it to a drone and mapping or studying various aspects of the ground. The radar sends out an electromagnetic pulse wave which hits the intended target and then is reflected.
Depending on your needs, you can either choose from a variety of other gadgets in addition to the GPR, such as Drone Thermal Cameras.
Let’s now take a look at its applications of Ground Penetrating Radar below.
How Can You Use Drone GPR?
When you attach a Ground Penetrating Radar to drones, you will find that you can use them for multiple purposes.
Some of them are:
Search and Rescue Operations
One of the most critical applications of Drone GPR is launching operations dealing with rescue and recovery. Generally, people who work in the disaster management field utilise drones to search for victims of the following:
- Aircraft crash victims
- People stuck underground or buried underground due to natural disasters like landslides, avalanches, etc.
- Individuals who are stuck in areas which people cannot normally access like mountains, wild forests, etc.
- People who are affected by industrial accidents or trapped under heavy machinery, etc.
These operations therefore help disaster management professionals to save lives and prevent further damage.
Environmental Conservation Efforts
You can use Drone GPR to map the changes in the environment around you. While the Ground Penetrating Radar can help you study the underground changes related to:
- Structural Stability
- Water levels
- Landfills buried in the ground
- Mineral content
You can use the information from these changes to carry out restorative measures like:
- De-contaminating the land and removing the presence of any chemicals leaked from landfills
- Adding minerals via fertilisers like potassium, nitrogen, etc. to
- Insulating the ground against earthquake-like shocks by plating more trees, etc.
- Recharging the water levels by building canals, aquifers, etc.
So, using Drone GPR has a lot of benefits for the environment. Additionally, you can also consider using Drone Thermal Cameras since they’ll help you map high-heat areas which could lead to low water.
Geographic Studies and Research
You can use Ground Penetrating Radar to carry out geological surveys. Doing so can help you study and learn more about the land around you. After gathering all the information, you can use this knowledge to take proactive measures to reverse any negative effects.
You can also boost the economic health of the place by building:
- National parks
- Hotels
- Tourist lodges, etc.
Some of the aspects that you can study with the help of Drone GPR are:
- Changes to the bedrock in the form of fractures, etc.
- The presence of underground streams, rivers, etc.
- Boundaries of waste sites
- Active tectonic fault lines (which can cause earthquakes), etc.
Mining
One of the other valuable applications of Drone GPR is in the mining industry. These professionals check for the presence of valuable minerals and elements under the surface of the earth.
If you work in this industry you can:
- Check for the presence of valuable metals like gold, silver, platinum and other valuable materials like quartzite, etc.
- Detect ores of Bauxite, iron, etc.
- Reduce the costs associated with extracting these minerals and ores, since you can directly extract from the source without having to search anywhere.
- Determine the safety of the mines before giving your team the green signal to proceed, etc.
Forensic Investigations
While this application might be overlooked, law enforcement officials use Drone GPR to search for hidden:
- Tunnels
- Bunkers
- Evidence like weapons, etc.
- Graves, etc.
- Unexploded bombs, etc.
This allows them to reduce the danger to the environment and the lives of other people as well. Additionally, law enforcement officials can catch criminals and uphold law and order as well.
In such cases, you can also choose to use Drone Thermal Cameras to check for the heat signatures of the items mentioned above.
How To Choose Your Drone?
Now, you should carefully check for the following factors before you purchase your drone:
The Depth
You will have to first calculate the depth to which you will be analyzing the ground. For instance, you will have to ensure that the radar can penetrate up to a distance of at least 4,000 meters.
That way you can carry out the following types of surveys without any hesitation:
- Geothermal
- Coal
- Oil & gas
- Uranium or Mineral Surveys, etc.
So, you must choose the depth of the radar carefully, irrespective of whether you buy or Hire a Drone GPR.
Its Frequency
Since the Drone GPR will emit waves at a particular frequency, you’ll need to determine whether you’re analyzing deep ground or shallow ground. For instance, a frequency of 100 Mega Hertz (Hz) will be useful if you’re penetrating a great distance.
On the other hand, a frequency of 1 Giga Hertz is useful if you’re surveying a lower depth.
Hence, you’ll need to determine this frequency carefully.
Capacity to Bear Payload
If you wish to take photos or view the ground that is being surveyed by the drone, you’ll need to attach a camera. You’ll have to install other sensors or payloads if you wish to use them for other purposes.
So, you must check how much weight the drone can bear. This will allow you to use it without any hassles. For instance, it should be able to bear the weight of Drone Thermal Cameras if you’re using them.
Regulation Compliance
Do check for any prevailing regulations or laws that govern the use of drones in your home state or country. By doing so, you can avoid being charged unlawfully and being fined.
Budget and Price
Depending upon the type of drone that you buy, you’’ have to spend a certain amount. So you must first determine your budget and choose the price accordingly. This will help you avoid overspending.
Wrapping Up
So, as you can see, using Drone GPR can help you carry out many different kinds of surveys. You can use these surveys to:
- Determine the health of the environment
- Rescue people from danger
- Save lives
- Grow your mining industry
Additionally, do remember to research your preferred drone before finally purchasing it. Best of luck!
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