Ground penetrating radar survey in the central and eastern part of the Całowanie Fen, Central Poland

GPR studies were carried out in the Całowanie Fen, a large peatland in the Masovia region (Central Poland) for the identification of the peatland stratigraphy and to create a three-dimensional model for the central and eastern part of the fen. The Całowanie Fen is located within the Masovian Landscape Park on the overflood terrace in the Middle Vistula River Valley. Fen covers an area of about 15 km long and 3km wide. The peatland is located in the abandoned Late Pleistocene Vistula riverbed. The GPR survey was conducted in January 2013 with the Malå RAMAC/GPR system, using 250 MHz frequency shielded antennas. Geophysical measurements were integrated with direct measurements of the peat stratigraphy from drillings. GPR was successfully used to identify the thickness and geometry of the peat layer. The results of GPR measurements provide information about the peat thickness and the possible presence of heterogeneous zones. Maps of peat thickness and the morphology of the mineral peat substrate were compiled based on GPR cross-sections. Considering the success of GPR applications in peatlands, the method seems to represent an excellent alternative to drilling and mapping of stratigraphy and peat thickness.