Unexploded ordnance (UXO) poses a threat to both human life and the environment. Millions of UXO may be located in the United States on active test and training ranges and Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS). Most of the investigations of UXO-contaminated sites involve the use of Digital Geophysical Mapping (DGM); however, the quality of field data is highly variable. To ensure that data quality meets the government's specification and that remediation is consistent with project objectives, a standardized tool set to assess data quality is being developed and is available under the industry standard Oasis montaj^TM interface.

The principal goals of this project include: standardization of Quality Control/Quality Assurance (QA/QC) processes within the UXO community, improved data quality, improved detection methods, and availability of a standard software platform for sharing analysis algorithms. The Huntsville Center partnered with Geosoft Inc. to develop QA/QC techniques and documentation into a software package that runs under the Oasis montaj™ product line. The product can be used under the Oasis montaj™ free interface, or under the licensed product with some additional capabilities. The project began in 2001 and is currently in Phase IV of development. The software package has been supported and applied in the field since April 2002, with numerous enhancements and additions made to evolve into a capable tool set. Phase IV efforts included a field demonstration of the software at the Aberdeen Proving Ground UXO Standardized Test Site, using industry standard geophysical sensors and navigation equipment. The objective of the demonstration was to collect multiple data sets to test the effectiveness of the software tools. Ongoing work on this project will transition algorithms developed under SERDP and ESTCP support.

The QA/QC tool set, currently being used in the field by ordnance and explosives contractors and government managers, greatly improves the utilization of field data by identifying and correcting instrument and acquisition errors. The software package also addresses repetitive data quality issues associated with resurveying. The Oasis montaj™ package will provide a standard platform for detection and discrimination algorithms to be made available to the UXO community. Standard tests and tools developed under this project will enable contractors to be more effective in meeting government data quality standards. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2007)