Rapid Soil Texture Classification Using the Soil Imaging Penetrometer

Soil texture is a critical soil information input to site suitability, mobility, counter-mine, and engineering models. Traditional methods of obtaining soil information are inefficient, inconsistent, and could require time-consuming and expensive laboratory analyses. In addition, a high level of soil expertise may be required on-site. A soil imaging system could provide a more efficient and consistent means of collecting and delivering soil texture, structure, and composition information, while avoiding expensive laboratory analysis and the need for on-site experts. Funding is requested to improve the existing EarthIT Soil Imaging Penetrometer system so that it could be rapidly deployed in diverse environmental conditions with an ATV-based delivery system, acquire in-situ soil imagery using integrated data collection software and electronics, analyze the imagery using advanced image processing techniques, automatically classify the soil to USCS texture categories based on metrics derived from image processing, and deliver texture classification and sample images to soil experts and decision makers via an encrypted network. EarthIT anticipates that the imaging system will be integrated with other environmental information gathering technologies (e.g. GPS, GIS, ground and airborne sensors, predictive models) to create a complete Soil Information System for commercialization in military, agriculture, turf, forestry, construction, and environmental science applications.