Proiecte
PN16450502 – Geophysical, environmental and engineering studies for the development of the national natural and cultural heritage (case study – the Danube River and the Danube Delta), including the investigation and assessment of soil and subsoil pollution
| Responsabil: | Dr. Sorin Anghel, CSII |
| Beneficiar: | GeoEcoMar |
| Finanțator: | Ministry of Research and Innovation |
| Schema de finanțare: | Core Program |
PN16450502 – Geophysical, environmental and engineering studies for the development of the national natural and cultural heritage (case study – the Danube River and the Danube Delta), including the investigation and assessment of soil and subsoil pollution
The project aimed at the very detailed geophysical investigation of the submerged areas belonging to several archaeological sites located on the Danube (Aegyssus, Capidava, Turris, Sucidava, Axiopolis, Castravita, Desa, etc.), and of one area located in the Danube Delta (Halmyris, Salsovia, Troemsis, etc.), covering practically all the epochs of the ancient period from a historical point of view. As typology and chronology, the sites included various archaeological monuments illustrating the stages of the historical and topographical evolution of the fortresses, most of them being ports on the Danube. Geophysical studies conducted in the submersed area were useful for the future archaeological excavations to be executed on land, providing a more defined picture of the continuity of ancient vestiges (walls, port structures) in submerged areas. In the case of the Danube Delta sites, but also for those located on the Danube, the geophysical works (magnetometric and electrometric) aimed to identify sources of anthropogenic pollution of the soil and the basement – contemporary structures built in the area of the sites, eventual pipelines that can cross these settlements, and last but not least, possible pollution feathers existing in the area of sites in the immediate vicinity of some industrial polluters, which could degrade the buried ancient structures. In order to eliminate as many of the anomalies generated by anthropogenic polluting factors (buried constructions of recent age, pipelines, oil polluted areas, etc.), it was necessary to carry out research with the use of GMsysv software, 3D and 2D models corresponding to the anomalies generated by the pollutants existing in the archaeological sites. The proposed methods for geophysical research in the submersed area were magnetometric, seismoacoustic (side sonar scan) and electrometric, respectively. Geophysical studies were conducted in the fluvietil area and lake adjacent to each archaeological site.The first works were topographic, with the help of which the skeleton of the field data acquisition networks was transposed into the field, with archaeologists also participating in this operation. The data acquisition works started from the topographic support network of each site, and the geophical mapping started with bathymetric measurements, followed by magnetometer measurements and ending with electrometric works. Previously, magnetic susceptibility studies were conducted on rock, brick, mortar, etc., samples necessary to calibrate the magnetometric method. Subsequent to the conduct of these studies, diving in the areas of interest were carried out to mark the in-situ, film and photograph any vestiges discovered. GeoEcoMar has diving equipment, underwater photography and filming.
Geophysical, magnetometric, electrometric and seismoacoustic measurements of variable submerged surfaces located in the area adjacent to the ancient fortresses (Capidava, Durostorum, Noviodunum, Carsium, Pacuiul lui Soare etc.), positioned in the development area of the Danube – Danube Delta fluvial complex. The geophysical investigation was correlated with the archaeological surveys carried out on land, in order to establish the continuity of the archaeological structures in the submerged area, respectively, to provide objective criteria for interpreting the geophysical anomalies identified in the submerged areas. In order to obtain the most accurate image of the submerged ancient remains, it was necessary to carry out complex geophysical studies to eliminate the effects of anthropogenic soil pollution (walls belonging to recent constructions, pipelines crossing these sites, soil pollution plumes in the case of sites located in the vicinity of industrial polluters, etc.), so that anomalies generated by such sources could be excluded from the data interpretation process.
Specific objectives:
- Geophysical research in submerged areas through very high-detail and ultra-detail magnetometric, electrometric and seismoacoustic measurements;
- Geophysical mapping with fluvial and lacustrine magnetometric and seismoacoustic measurements, followed (in highlighted sectors of interest) by electrometric measurements;
- Lake and river magnetometric research performed with state-of-the-art geophysical equipment (Geometrics differential cesium magnetometer, models G882-year of manufacture 2015), in observation networks with variable profile density (20-50m);
- Determination of possible sources of anthropogenic pollution within archaeological sites using Geometrics differential and non-differential proton magnetometers, models G856-AX, accuracy class 0.1 nT), in 20/20 m observation networks, with a distance between stations ranging from 1-2.5 m;
- The gradient measurement devices chosen in such a way as to make it possible to highlight mainly the anomalous effects produced by sources located in the depth range of 0-5m. The data correction, compensation and validation methodology allows the precise contouring of the anomalous effects having minimum extensions and amplitudes of the order of decimeters and, respectively, of 0.5-1.0 nT;
- Seismoacoustic research, performed prior to the magnetometric one, by using a state-of-the-art SideScanSonar equipment that has a scanning band of up to 100m and that allows the rendering of submerged bodies in 2D and 3D format. Being an equipment intended for marine investigations, the working methodology has been adapted for the execution of works in lacustrine and fluvial environments (Danube complex – Danube Delta). Data acquisition in observation networks with variable profile density (20-50m);
- Electrometric research in submerged areas, adjacent to archaeological sites located on the Romanian bank of the Danube, by using for the first time an electrometric equipment of the Intel91 type, adapted for the investigation of submerged environments by using a 100m streamer. This type of investigation was necessary to confirm the anomalies highlighted by the magnetometric method;
- Magnetic susceptibility research on various samples of rock, plaster, construction materials and ceramics from the archaeological site or submerged areas;
- Increasing detailed knowledge of the geological environment in which the archaeological sites are located. Study from a geological point of view (petrographic, mineralogical, paleontological, etc.) of the construction material used by the ancients.
- Archaeological research using classical methodologies – archaeological survey works carried out exclusively on land for the purpose of immediate verification of geophysical anomalies highlighted in the submerged area, the direction of which coincides with walls, streets, pavements, etc., highlighted on land. Small-scale survey works carried out to confirm anomalies caused by anthropogenic pollution in the area of archaeological sites – prospecting trenches or partial uncovering of small sectors.