8 Summary of Findings 



Findings of the pilot study are summarized as follows: 



a. The entire Sea Bright borrow area is within the historical impact area for 

 Fort Hancock and has the potential to be contaminated with ordnance. 



b. Some evidence of a spatial concentration to the ordnance contamination 

 could be determined within the context of this very limited pilot study. 

 Preliminary evidence suggests that there may be a trend of decreasing 

 magnetic returns toward the south and there may be limited zones which 

 are clear of magnetic objects. 



c. X-star has limited use in determining if there are hard object targets (could 

 be ordnance, stones, or even wood) buried in the sediments. X-star does 

 not add any substantial additional data capability. 



d. Side-scan sonar could and should be used to provide a reconnaissance level 

 assessment of obstructions/large objects and bottom texture. 



e. The magnetometer adapted for and tested during this pilot study is superior 

 to other commercially available systems and is the recommended work 

 horse for a full-scale survey. It is extremely sensitive and is able to detect 

 individual ferro-magnetic objects of the size of ordnance. It can also be 

 used to sweep an 8-m-wide and 8-m-deep zone during a single tow and can 

 be used to indicate relative size, shape, orientation, depth of burial, and 

 location of metal targets. 



/. However, the magnetometer would need some further development prior to 

 use in a full-scale operating mode. Some laboratory and field calibration 

 tests would be needed to better interpret the magnetic signature for different 

 classes of ordnance versus other magnetic objects. Additional deployment 

 and data acquisition improvements are needed. 



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Chapter 8 Summary of Findings 



